The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-09-12
Powers are Divided
as to Leaving Pekin

Washington. Sept 6.-The latest
expression AZ to he attitude of the
powers an the evacuation of Pekin
comes from the United States ambas.
sador at Paris, Gen Horace Porter,
who has advised the authorities here
that the attitude of the French gov.
ernmept is favorable to the position
taken by Russia. Almost simultaneous.
" with this dispatch from Gen Porter
came another from the American
charged affaires at Berlin. giving the
attitude of Germany on Russian pro.
posal This 10 substance states that
Germany. while anxious to avoid
friction between the powers, re.
gards the conditions at Pekin such
az to require the continued presence
Of German forces there. Neither Gen
Porter or Mr. jackson gave the text
of the answers
These two highly important com.
munications bring the Chinese nego.
tiations to q very advanced stage,
though they are not yet concluded as
oil the answers are not yet in. The
German and French answers. how.
ever. clearly indicate alignment of
the powers 1t is generally accepted
that Germany's attitude 10 favor of
remaining at Pekin will be concurred
in by italy and Austria. Definite
word has been received here that
Austria favors remaining at Pekin.
The position of Japan is likewise
lacking in definiteness. although it is
believed in the best posted quarters
that it other nations remain at Pekin
Japan will deem it expedient to re.
main there also 1t would seem
from this that France is the only
government to give concurrence to
the Russian proposition although the
United States has expressed q
purpose Of following Russia's course
unless the other powers brought
about q modification of Russia's
position Thus far Russia has not
expressed any purpose of modifying
her original position. 1t was stated
suthoritatively today that Russia has
not ordered the departure of her
minister or troops from Pekiu up to
this time. 90 far as the United States
government is advised 1t is stated
also that no proposition has
been presented, but that the question
is practically the same as when first
presented. namely. as to whether the
troops will remain or be Withdrawn
from Pekin.
The receipts Of the communications
from Berlin and Paris brought about
numerous conferences between the
president, Secretary Root and Acting
Secretary of State Hill and also be
tween Mr. Hill and Mr. Adee. 1t was
gathered from these meetings that
another note was being prepared by
the United States, but the authorities
did not feel disposed to give an
inkling as to it's nature. and it ia
quite probable that it's final form will
await the consideration of the cabinet
meeting tomorrow.
The military situation remains
unchanged at Pekin. Gen Chaffee's
messages make it clear that he for
one is proceeding upon the under.
standing that the American troops
will winter in China. The American
contingent in the parade through the
imperial palace was email. probably
in conformity with an arrangement
between the various commanders in
Pekin that the force selected to make
the demonstration should be limited
in numbers in order that this might
reduce the chance of looting. 1t is
supposed here that it was also made
to Impress the Chinese people ae a
whole and not from any present
military necessity Some action of
this kind appears to have been
accessory in order to Offset the
stories which were ahoat in the
southern Chinese ports to the effect
that the allies had been completely
overthrown by the imperial troops
and the Boxers, which stories we're
calculated to cause further uprisings
Besides the demonstration at the
palace may reduce the i'll effects of
any Withdrawals of troops from Pekin
as a result Of the present negotia
tions