The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-20
WE WOULD WITHDRAW.
TIE Republic Bureau.

18th s.. and Pennsy:ys nia Ave.
Washington, july ls.-If should be
declared against China by Russia, tho
American troops would at once be with
drawn from Chinese territory.
This statement IL made on authority. The
administration. however, does not believe
that Il will be called upon To face such
situation. II does not believe that Russia
has handed the Chinese Minister at s..
Petersburg his passports. Not a word to
corroborate the story has been received by
officials here. II il taken for granted that
Russia would follow the established rule OF
procedure ia such case and promptly no.
tify the other nations. and especially those
that are cooperating with her TO restore
order IN China. This she has not done,
and the Russian Minister at Washington
also says he has received no such notifca-
ton.
IL ia not doubted here that II the Car
should go 10 the length of declaring war
against China without the consent OF the
other Powers he would Mt once be made
acquainted In no uncertain manner with
the displeasure Of those Powers. State De-
partnent officials DO not admit that
the giving OF the chinese Minister his pass
ports would necessarily be equivalent to a
declaration OF war by Russia. They point
out that several cases OF the sort have &C.
CURED in our own history. notably that of
Lord Sackville West. without host!lities hav-
ing ensued. They do not deny. however.
that under tho present circumstances the
act would be much moro grave ard might
be accepted a declaration of war.
I. might. indeed. precipitate an interna-
t.onai conflict on stupendous scale. Rus
sias interests IN China are not so great by
far those Of the United States. which are
larger than any other nations with the ex-
ception OF Great Britain. In spite OF this.
Russt,, by declaring war. could blockade all
the Chinese ports and ruin the commerce
there of other countries How long these
countries would remain silent under s':ch
conditions is question. so far as the
United States Is concerned, her troops would
be taken out OF China unless we also Joined
In a deciara ton OF war against that En-
pire.
Such a declaration would only be made
when IL was established beyond doubt that
the Chinese Government. and not the rab-
BILE. was responsible for injuries TO our citi-
z.ns. We could not aid Russia In what
must prove a war against what is pre-
sumably friendly Power
SHANGHAI CONsiLS PROTEST.
SPECIAL BY CABLE.
Shanghai. July 1?.-lCopyright. 1890 by W.
r. HearstJ-The Consuls have presented
united protest against the offensive prepara-
tons
The Viceroy Lila Kun Yiu replied that he
has ordered that the work strengthening
the forts should cease Immediately. but the
local commander has persisted IN his opera
lions and refused to heed the Viceroy's
remonstrance.
The woo-Sung forts completely command
Shanghai with guns already mounted. capa-
lie OF blowing the foreign settlements to
pieces
Ii Hung Chang is on his way to Pekin.
having left Hong Kong to-day. He goes to
Pekin In response TO the express command
Of the Empress and Prince Tuan, the re-
spons.ble governing power.
This command came from Pekin at
time when all the Powers Of the earth
could no; get message to or from their
Ministers.
What will happen when he gets there?
VIII the old intriguer throw off the CLOAK