The age-herald., 1900-09-01
Evacuation Has Not Been Con-
 sidered.
WILL WITHDRAW FROM PEKIN
Frances Reply to Ii Hung Chang's Peace Proposals Identical With American Answer-Russia's
 Friendship for China

Washington, August 31.-The Russian note relative to the withdrawal of Russia from China and the United States response thereto were made public today by the State Department, after the Cabinet had fully considered the expedency of so do- ing. The correspondence is unique in the history of diplomatic exchange. It may be said to illustrate a clever move by which the United States Government again has assumed the lead in prescribing the policy of the powers respecting the Chinese trouble. This was accomplished by the State Department availing itself of the Russian note to address to the powers an inquiry as to their policies, an answer to which can scarcely be avoided.
 Various meanings may be placed upon the statements of the two principles to this correspondence. Thus, on the one hand, it may be noted that while Russia an- nounces purpose to withdraw her troops from China, still, as to the occupying force at Niu Chwang, a condition Is attached that almost negatives the proposition as to that point. Respecting our own attitude, il appears that, while believing the best course to pursue is to remain in Pekin, our Government is still willing to with draw Perhaps this means that if there is to be separate action by the powers in China, the United States proposes to deal with the situation with free hand
 Will Only Withdraw from Pekiu
 It may be noted in connection with our withdrawal statement that whereas Rus sia proposed to withdraw from China, our offer Is to withdraw only from Pekln. A significant fact in this connection is that General Chaffee, who is well advised of the situation, having several days ago directed to prepare for just such an emergency as that precipitated by the Russian action, continues his preparations for wintering the American troops in China Indeed, unless the men are afoat and out of the Pei Ho within the next six weeks they are likely to remain in China perforce, being ice bound.
 General Chaffee was further advised to- day of the developments in the situation, a compendious statement of the points in the Russo-American correspondence being cabled to him for his guidance. As bearing further on the prospects of the future 1t may be noted that the war department off, ficials state that the government has not considered the question of the evacuation of China
 It scarcely Is expected that even with the aid of the cables complete accord can be reached upon this last proposition im- mediately. Up to the close of the official day, only two communications had been received in consequence of our last note. One was from the British foreign office, through the American embassy, stating that Lord Salisbury was absent from Lon don and merely promising consideration for the note.
 The German response was through Mir. Jackson and was equally inconclusive, in- dicating a wish on the part of the Ger man government for time to consider the proposition. The officials here say that they are satisfied that Japan at least Is fully In accord with our objects as sent out in the note, and rather expect an early answer from the government of that coun- try. France has not been heard from on this point, her last communication relating en- tirely to u Hung Chang's status.
 Full Text of Answer
 The full text of the French Governments answer to Lii Hung Chang's peace pro- posals of August 19 and H has just been received here. It proves to be almost identical in language with the reply of the American Government which laid down as a preliminary to peace overtures that se- curity in the Chinese capital and a respon- sible government authority be established.
 It has developed in the course of the careful consideration which officials have given to Lii Hung Chang's credentials that they were issued by the Empress Dowager and not by the Emperor Kwang Su. This may have an important bearing on the sub- ject, as it opens up the authority of the Empress Dowager since the coup de etat of September 9, 1899, when she took the reins of power from the hands of the Elm peror. It involves also the issues between the Empress Dowager, who is anti-foreign, and the Emperor, who is pro-foreign. Still, further reason is the Russian sympathy entertained by the Empress Dowager as against the British sympathy held by the Emperor.
 Thus far, however, there has been no questioning of the credentials on any of the personal grounds mentioned, although tEey are forcible in shaping the action of the several powers.
 Although the exact whereabouts of Id Hung Chang continue to be in doubt, it is the understanding of diplomatic officials that he is now in continuous communca- tion with the Imperial household and thus is enabled to convey to them the prospect of return to the Chinese capital The expected return of Prince Ching to Pekin is said to be a result of this communica- tion between Earl u and the Imperial family and to be the initial move of re- eponsible authorities toward the capital.
 There is reason to believe also that Earl u is now in frequent telegraphic corre- spondence with European capitals, al- though Washington has not received a