The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-04
European Powers Want Rus
sia to Recall Her Note.
SUPPRESSED CABLE FROM C0NGER
state Department Says the Minister'S Dis
patch Contained Nothing of Great Inn
pertance-Peiho River Route from Tein-
tsin TO Pekin Open and safe for Travel
Known 10 the Authorities Here.

A dispatch from Minister Conger was
received by the State Department yester-
day. II was chiefly interesting as being
the first word from him since his dispatch
of about August Z. referring to the pro-
posed parade of troops through the I'm
perial Palace in p kin. Like that dispatchs
this is dateless as to Pekin. The contents
were not made public, but II was stated
that It contained nothing materially
changing the situation. The lack of date
has led te a determination to take ener-
getic steps by which all dispatches here
after coming TO the State Department
from China will have the date clearly
stated
Two other dispatches received yester-
day from China referred TO the state of
health of the troops, which generally is
satisfactory.
1t cannot be learned that there has been
any marked advancement Of the negoia-
tioHs between the powers touching the
withdrawal Of the international forces
from Pekin. The plain indication is that
the powers are acting upon hint convey
ed In the late note of the State Depart
ment, and are bringing all their infi1ence
TO bear upon Russia TO induce ner TO
change her mind as to Withdrawing her
troops. For some reason the authorities
here appear to feel a growing confidence
that this effort will be successful 1t Is
noted as fact of great significance
that the proposition is being advanced to
have Prince Ching return TO Pekin as the
acting head of the Chinese government
The suggestion Is made that the progress
OF this wave of reorganization, while the
international troops are still in Pekin,
promising, as it does, to speedily provide
an actual de facto Chinese government
with which the nations may treat without
further doubt as to its strength. may
solve the present problem, and put the
Chinese question in fair way 10 final and
satisfactory settlement. Much may de-
pend upon the attitude of Russia in this
matter, and the manner in which she
treats this appeal from the Chinese not
abies may prove to be test of the sin
cerity OF her expressed desire to deal with
the Chinese government as soon as possi-
bic.
DIR. Hill at the Helm.
Dr, Hill. the First Assistant Secretary of
State, returned TO Washington YESTERDAY
and assumed the duties of acting head of
the department, relieving Mr.. Adee. who
has performed these duties during the per-
picking diplomatic exchanges of recent
date DIR. Hill has been absent in New
England with his family on a vacation.
but In View of the important diplomatic
phases Of the Chinese situation which
have arisen, decided to curtail his stay
and take up the work here. Soon after
arriving he went to the White House
and spent half-hour with the President
going over the present status of the Chi
rese negotiations. Later he conferred at
length with Mr.. Adee From this time on
until Mr.. Hay returns DR.. Hill will ba
the active head of the State Department.
A dispatch yesterday from Perley. the
chief surgeon at Taku, makes il apparent
that whatever the conditions may be on
the land between Taku and Pekin. the
Pei-ho River route at least is open and
safe for the transportation Of passengers.
The authorities questioned the accuracy
or authenticity of the published inter
view with Special Commissioner RockhilI
but are not likely 10 communicate on the
subject at present.
The war Department is not Informed
as 10 the plans for camps in China for the
winter, and is not aware that the renort
that three camps are TO be establisbed
one each at Pekin, Tientsin, and Taku'
is correct.
winter Supplies Already Shipped.
The qrartermasters department has
sent to Taku enough supplies for that de-
partment to furnish the 5000 troops m
China with all necessaries from Septem-
Der l until May l. All of these supplies
will be in China within the next thirty or
forty days. The last ship TO leave San
Francisco for Taku with quartermaster'- :
supplies was the Rosecranz, which close
ly followed the Egbert Both of these
ships took abundant clothing and forage
There bad previously been sent immense
quantities of lumber. including every
thing in. the way of building materials
that is necessary in the construction al
barracks for the men and stables for the
horses. This lumber and similar sunnlias
viii reach Taku in a short time.
IL is somewhat doubtful whether TaluI
will be made the site of a large camp. as
the reports received by the quarterrnas.
ter's department indicate that the facili.
ties at this place are not very good. there
being an especial lack Of buildings Tor
storing and warehousing the supplies
While il is possible that a small detacn.
ment will remain at Taku, the belief al
the War Department is that the maiT
body of troops will be wintered at Tien.
tsin. Nothing has been announced fro,r
! the War Department as 10 Gen. Chat
+ fees recommendation. but IL is knour
that he favors the withdrawal OF troon.
! TO Tientsin or some place near the cos5.r
| His recommendations as 10 the points fo,
vintering the troops viii no do Ibt be
| largely followed
The belief is entertained at the Wa De
partment that the report concerninf, m.
wintering of the troops was SEM be.o h
was knowI that negotiations :,ere a.
progress for the withdrawal from Pekin.