The sun., 1900-09-08
SETTLEMENT.
Our Government May Appoint a Peace
Commission.
SOME POWERS YET SILENT.
But II Is Known That the Adminis-
tration Has Inferential knowl-
edge OF Their Attitude ON
Russian Proposal.

Washington, Sept. lit is known that
the government has inferential knowl-
edge of the attitude Of ali, the powers re-
gardns the Russian proposal, but it is
still awaiting official advices as to some
of thenl. The information concerning
those regarding which 10 official an
nouncement has been received, it is stat
cd, is practically that which is in pos
session of the general public and is based
on newspaper reports and the opinions
Of c',i5.i;tl organs OF the various coun-
tries.
Ii seems to be regarded as highly prob
able in Official circles that when the time
arrives for the actual negotiations look
ing to settlement with China this gov
ernment will appoint commission for
that purpose rather than place the nega-
tiAtions in the hands of single individ-
ual There have been various sugges
tions as to who might be appointed upon
such commission, but it is positively
stated that as Vet no definite selections
have been made.
As to the numerical strength of such Il
commission. the general impression seems
TO be that it would not consist of more
than fave members, more likely three,
and possibly emily two. 1t can be stated
upon the highest authority that there
viii be upon the commission some Amer
ican Of pre-eminent ability whose repu-
tation would be an immediate guarantee
TO the American people that American
interests would be safe in his hands and
whose standing before the world would
be such as to give him and those associ-
ated with him prestige abroad. 1t is be
lieved that the administration is now
casting about for such a man to head the
commission when it shall be ready to
appoint it. The names of ex-President
Harrison, ex-Secretary of State Day and
John BaSsett Moore, who was secretary
of the peace commission at Paris, have
been mentioned in this connection.
The New Note.
No information is obtainabe regard
ing the new note which it has been ru-
mored the government was preparing for
transmission to the powers. The only
thing definite concerning it was the pos
itive statement that it had not been sent.
No representations have been made by
this government looking to a return of
the Chinese imperial authorities to Pc
king. Such course on the part of the
Chinese authorities, however, would be
deemed highly desirable by this govern
ment because it is believed here that a
resumption of the reins of power at the
capital of the empire would inevitably
hasten and facilitate peace negotiations
II the Chinese authorities are deferred
from returning by the military occupa
ton of Peking, it is pointed out that this
fear would not be removed except by the
withdrawal of all the powers. In this
connection the suggestion which is being
made of a possible limited occupation OF
Peking by the powers as compromise
does not seem to meet with favor here
The total force of the allies in Peking il
now about $4,000 men, and it is pointed
out that the situation at the Chinese cap
ital might make it unsafe for force
much smaller than that to attempt t.
preserve order.
The immense population Of Peking ant
the disturbed condition there produced BY
the uprising and fighting, in the opinion
of the officials here who are giving thu
subject consideration, would make i
hazardous for the powers to leave small
forces there and withdraw the bulk o
their troops TO the coast.