The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-13
HE MUST DECIDE QUICKLY
Pledge to Russia and Threat of Famine
Urge Withdrawal.
AMERICAN INTERESTS OPPOSE THE STEP
The Problem May be Solved by Decision TO
Deal With Prince Ching and Ii Hung
Chang, Accepting Tteir Pledges
For Chinese Government.
For Chinese Government.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Sept. 2.-The question of
withdrawing the American troops at
once from Pekin is now before the Presi-
dent and a speedy decision is expected
and required. There are, differences
among officials in Pekin on this subject
and the issue is for the President to de-
eide.
General Chaffee was some time ago
directed to hold himself in readiness to
withdraw his troops. Undoubtedly he has
conferred with the other commanders as
TO the time and manner of withdrawal
according to the terms of the note. The
sending of further supplies to him has
been stopped and he now awaits but
the signal from Washington to begin his
movement. 1t is for the President to
give that signal.
The considerations now before him in
favor of immediate withdrawal, are, first
the fact that he is already committed in
measure to such course by the above
quoted language in reply to the Russian
note. Second, it is represented that
China is on the verge of a terrible fam
inc and the retention of the troops in
Pekin, preventing as they do the return
ply of provisions to the capital, places
the responsibility for what threatens te
/ be a frightful calamity upon the powers
who sanctioned the occupation.
On the other hand strong representa-
tions have been made to the President
in opposition to withdrawal in advance
of procurement Of absolutely sufficient
guarantees for the American interests in
China and for the safety of the native
Christians. This last condition is one
most difficult to meet, but being insisted
upon by the missionary element is being
given most careful consideration,
In anticipation of some such state of
affairs, the effort has been made to has
ten the dispatch of preliminaries to ne
gotiations. 1t is highly desirable that
some responsible representative of the
Chinese Government be recognized in or
der that we may secure a sufficient guar
antee upon which to base the with
drawal of our troops. Ii Hung Chang
and Prince Ching are the only lights in
the east so far as our Government can
see, and it is possible that the present
problem may be solved by decision to
deal with them Immediately and to ac-
cept their pledge as sufficient for our
nounced today to facilitate Ii Hung
Chang's passage from Shanghai to Pekin
may be regarded as significant. Later
it was announced that Consul General
Goodnow had reported that Ii would
leave Shanghai next Friday for Tien Tsin.
His means of transportation are not
known. but he may have United States
vessel if such a thing is absolutely neces-
% l. Sc Tcin
1t is not known that any of the pow
ers is prepared to object to Ii Hung
Chang's visit.
Meanwhile the State Department is
doing it's best to force the Chinese Gov
ernment through Ii Hung Chang to re-
store peace in the provinces and cease
outrages upon American citizens which
have been continued up to the present
daV.