The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-31


government in order that IL may carry out
it's desire 10 settle the differences which
have arisen This has been the object oil
the negotiations of the last few days and
the Russian note and the United States
response were but parts OF the general
plan.
In responding to the Russian note the
United States government availed itself OF
the opportunity of directly inviting the
remaining powers to express their de-
sres in the matter of settlement or rather
to indicate how in their Judgment, peace
negotiations could thus be instituted
This note Is calculated to secure full
disclosure OF the Intentions OF the powers
ii the inquiry is met by them in the
frank spirit in which Il was conceived By
the United States government, The diff
hculty apprehended now in reaching eet-
Element lies in intentional procrastination
on the part of any power which does not
desire to avoid formal war.
1 The state department is already em-
barrassed by delays experienced in secur'
ing responses to it's note challenging the
! production of objections to Ii Hung
Chang 1t appears that much confusion
exists at Taku as to what actually had
/ been decided upon respecting the treat
ment of Ii Hung Chang, should he arrive
at that place en- route to Pekln. The re-
ports of the naval commanders to their
home governments rather increased the
confusion In the international sense. Adj
miral Remey found 1t difficult to sift out
the facts at Taku. Now the state depart
ment finds the replies so far received
from Europe vague and unsatisfactory for
the reason that the various governments
appear to have different Understandings
as to the exact conditions at Taku II
could not be learned from whom the re-
plies were received and which were miss
( ing, but 1t can be stat3d that at present
the question as to the acceptability Of Ii
Hung Chang as an envoy and his freedom
from interference remain unsettled The
advance of the Russian proposition may
reduce the Importance OF the other ques
TONS for with the return OF the Chinese
government to Pekin, the smaller matters
of the personalities of the ENJOYS and the
sufficiency Of credentials could be speed
lily adjusted. Altogether the opinion
among the members of the administration
here is that the Russian move was made
directly for an earlier settlement OF the
Chinese difficulties than seemed possible
few days ago.
Secretary Root in speaking today OF the
statement in the CoEger dispatch saying
that Prince Ching was coming 20 pekin
said that il was a favorable indication
Prince Ching has been known as friendly
10 the foreigners and has been among
Gals. L was also stated that the condi-
tions seemed TO be improving.
The action of the Japanese government
in Withdrawing from Annoy the troops
which have aroused ;he suspicion OF ia,
European powers has done much 10 clarity
the situation BY this disclaimer OF
purpose TO seize Chinese territory. Japar
las avoided entering wedge which NIGH
result in the splitting up OF the Chi.
nese empire among the powers. 1t nov
remains for Russia TO take similar ac
ion as 10 the Russian forces at Nea
Chang, and from tae private intimation,
that have been conveyed 10 the Arar,
department Russia has assured us tina
this occupation has been purely militar,
, and temporary. 1t was necessary. II va.
represented. in view of the interruption
of the Russian railroad in the uppc
peninsula, to seize upon New Chang L
! supply by sea the Russian forces to III,
: northward, but within their own terri
tory
The state department today received
telegram from its special commissioner t.
Investigate and report upon conditions Ii
: China, W. w. Rockhlll, dated ut Shanghai
today, saying that he was about to leav
for Pekln.