The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-09
HlLL GO TO PHILIPPIIES
DECISION NOT FINAL, BUT FORCES
TO BE PLACED IN POSITION I
TO MOVE
CHINESE WILL NEGOTIATE
Empress DOwager and Court Would
Return at once to PeIdn Upon
Proper Assurances
From Powers.

WASHINGTON, Sept. S.-Orders have
been cabled to Gen. Chafree to prepare
his forces for withdrawal from Pekin,
Further than that the war department
has taken steps to have at Taku sue~
fcient number of United States trans-
ports to remove these troops to the PhiI-
tppines as soon as they reach the port,
These orders are preparatory and do noe
necessarily indicate that our goveru-
ment has decided finally upon an inme-
date withdrawal from China 1t Is SIM
ply placing itself in position to carry
out the plan conveyed in the reply to
the Russian note in this language:
1.-The result of these considerations is
that unless there is such a general exc
preston by the powers In favor of con-
tinued occupation as to modify the views
expressed by the government of Russia
and lead to a general demand for contin-
ued occupation, we shall give instructions
to the American forces in China to with-
darw our troops from Pekin after COM
ference with the other commanders
as to the time and manner of with
drawal.'
Up to the present time our government
has not changed its policy In this matter
of Withdrawing troops. 1t has given the
subject much consideration since the
original note was written, but at all times
there has been kept steadily in mind the
propriety of removing the American
troops from China as soon as this could
DE done consistently. 1t is intimated that
the prospect of completing these arrange4
ments through perfect unanimity among
the powers is Frightening daily. 1t is
said that there is a probability of har~
monious settlement, though Russian and
German designs form the principal subs
ject of diplomatic negotiations.
WILLING TO BE GOOD.
There is the best reason to believe that
were the Chinese government once as
sured of the personal safety of Its mem-
bers, were it relieved of fear of dis
nnennbeTraent of China ard the menace of
a large foreign force In the capital, the
imperial court, including the emperor and
empress dowager, would lose no time in
returning to Pekin and opening negotia.
tons for a settlement. Hence the sug@
gestion has been thrown out that the all
lied forces in Pekin be reduced to
number sufficient to ensure the immediate
safety of the legations while the remain
ing forces retire beyond the walled city,
perhaps to TIen Tsin, and If the progress
Of the negotiations seem to warrant it,
perhaps be withdrawn altogether from
Chinese soil. There are only two OBJ
stacles to the execution of this plan. One
Is the difficulty of framing suitable guar
antees for the continuance to a satisfac-
tory conclusion of the negotiations for the
final settlement.
The other is the uncompromising atti-
tude Of one of the powers, it is now be-
lieved that the difficulty as to guarantees
can be satisfactorily adjusted. The other
obstacle may be overcome by a threat
ened isolation of the refractory power;
for it is believed that no one power would
care to pursue a war upon China VIII q
the other powers had deliberately ex-
pressed their Judgment that further hos-
ttiities were unwarranted. Beside, hos-
tilities under such conditions tending 20
injure the interests of the other powers
In China, might be regarded by them as
authorizing joint demand upon the
single power for guarantees which w uld
be very difficult to meet.
NEED FOR HARMONY.
For this reason 1t is hoped that tha
powers can be brought to act in haIm0ny
in the matter of the evacuation of Pel,in
and it is entirely possible, If this plan
is executed, that ali of the Amer:ca
troops, save small number left to guard
the legation at Pekin can be wi nd. avn
from China before winter sets in. 1t wi
not be necessary, to delay evacuation
until negotia tons are complete. Even
now our government for ore is proposing
to begin them upon the appearance Of a
properly accredited Chinese goveInm mt.
Of course, it is improbable that ali tie
other powers interested will take the
same view of these proposals and this
government is devoting its entire eff 5rts
at this moment toward securing harmony
of action to this end and to hastenii G
the initiation Of the final negotiations.
Special Commissioners RockhiF has left
Shanghai for Pellin. A report by cable
from him dated yesterday, indicated that
he had begun the discharge of his duties
as special observer OF the present Che
nese disturbances. Reports were a so E.
ceived today from Consul General Good
now at Shanghai and Consul Fow-er at
Che Foo. both dealing with the cond. ton
Of the missionaries.