The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-07

official announcement has been received
1t is stated is practically that which is
in possession of the general public and
is based on newspaper reports and the
opinions of official organs of the varf-s
Gus countries 1t seems to be regarded
as highly probable in official circles that
when the time arrives for the actual ne
gotiations looking to a settlement with
China this government will appoint a
commission for that purpose rather than
place the negotiations in the hands of
a single individual.
There have been various suggestions
as to who might be appointed upon
such a commission, but it is positively
stated that as yet no definite selections
have been made. AS to the numerical
strength of such a commission the gen.
era1 impression seems to be that it
would not consist of more than five
members, more likely three and possibly
of only two. 1t can be stated upon the
highest authority that there will be
upon the commission some American of
pre- eminent ability, whose reputation
would be an immediate guarantee to the
American people that American inter-
ests would be safe in his hands and
whose standing before the world would
be such as to give him and those asso-
ciated with him prestige abroad. 1t is
believed that the administration is now
casting about for such a man to head
the commission when it shall be ready
to appoint it. The names of ex-Presi-
dent Harrison, ex-Secretary of State
&
secretary of the peace commission at
Paris. have been mentioned in this con-
nection-
No information is obtafnabIe TODAY
been rumOred the government was pre-
pairing for transmission to the powers.
The only thing definite concerning it
was the positive statement today that
it had not been sent either last night or
up to noon today No representations
have been made by this government
looking to return of the Chinese i'm
periaI authorities to Pelxfn- Such a
course on the part of the Chinese all-
thorities, however. would be deemed
highly desirable by this government,
because it is believed here that a re-
sumption of the reinS of power at the
capital of the empire would inevitably
hasten and facilitate the peace negotia-
tons In this connection the suggestion
which is being made of a possible linn
tied occupation or Pek1n by the powers
as a compromise does not seem to meet
with favor here. The total force of all
the allies in Pekin is now about 80 900
men, and the situation at the Chinese
capital might make it unsafe for a force
much smaller than that to attempt to
preserve order. The immense popula-
ton of Pekin and the disturbed condi-
ton there produced by the uprising and
fighting in the opinion of the officials
here who are giving the subject con-
sideration would make it hazardous for
the powers to leave small forces there
and withdraw the bulk of their troops
to the coast
WAITING ON ENGLAND AND
JAPAN.
Washington, Sept. Only three
members of the cabinet were present at
todays meeting, Attorney General
Griggs and Secretaries Hitchcock and
Wilson 1t was definitely stated at the
conclusion of the meeting that no late
official information has been received
from the powers regarding the Russian
proposal to withdraw troops from Pekin-
1t is understood that nothing official
has been received. either from Great
Britain or Japan on the subject, and this
government is now waiting for informa-
tior particularly from these two ma
tions- The note from Germany is not
considered altogether satisfactory nor
entirely definite and it is thought that
something further from this govern
ment may be soon received
1t is authoritatively stated that Rus
sia, SO far as this government knows
has not modified her original position,
and has not consented to leave a de-
tachment of troops in Pekin.