The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-11
Anxious to Avoid Entangle-
ments with Powers.
ANGLO-GERMAN ALLIANCE RuMOR
Ii HHns Chass's authorization 90 Treat for
Peace Bxerts No KetardInE Iunaenee on
the DeiermIaatisn of the United states 20
Wiihdraw-Troops to Be Held In he
Philippines Pending Operations and Neso-
tihtioHs in ChiHa-Gen. Chaflee's Views.

The developments Of the day In the Chi
nsse situation still point 10 a speedy with
drawal OF the United States troops from
China. Gen. Chsfee has added the weight
OF HIS opinion 10 that already entertained
by many officials here. II probably is
significant that the generals statement on
this view was given publicity by the ad-
ministrati0n. Gen. Chaffee's dispatch Is
as follows:
Taku Gno datel
Adiuisnt General Washington:
Two afternoon ith. EvideEee aecumuistes that
diplomatic relations viii not be resumed here tor
long time. Russian Legation leave very soon
ior Teintsin. Abpsars 20 me certain Chinese gov
eTnmcHt will not return here while foreign army
remains. ana II this is true our legation can
transact no business. Ny opinion Pekin is to be
merely the camp Of the foreign s-my pending set
titmsnt by powers at other points. cHAFFEE.
No confirmation is at hand here of the
report that Great Britain and Germany
have joined In an agreement to remain
together in Pekin, regardless of the at
utude OF the other powers. Should this
be true. the fact doubtless would hasten
the rearward movement OF the American
troops. for there is a firm determination
GldSn
between the powers, such as might rea-
Sonably be expected 10 follow the execu.
uCn of this reported British Germany pro-
gramme.
II there have been further responses to
the Russian note relative to evacuation,
their purport cannot be ascertained. This
delay no longer interferes with the execu-
tion of the American policy. The State
p ~ hag l.
understanding of The attitude of even
those powers that have not made formal
responses to the Russian note, so that the
mere written record of their views is not
Of importance.
war Indemnity and Open Door.
The part Of the problem relative to
withdrawal that remains unsolved is the
best means Of securing guarantees for
the attainmeR of the few objects set
out In Secretary Hays note of July 3
which have not yet been secured, Pos
sibly guarantees must be obtained from
two sides: from the Chinese government
as to the security Of American treaty
rights, and the creation of a claims COM
mission, which shall provide for the pay
ment of indemnity for the losses suffered
by American citizens. and for the ex-
penditures on account of the Pekin re-
lief expedition. Then it is entirely nos
sible that it may be regarded as neces-
sary. If any of the allies refuse to leave
Pekin and persist in a war of conquest
that the interests of the United States
in the matter of trade, Of the ''open
door" and of all rights now guaranteed
to US in China by treaty. be made a mat
ter OF special agreement between the
United States and these warning powers
1t does not follow that because the Unit
ed States troops are TO be withdrawn this
autumn from China that our interests
VIII be left completely at the mercy of
the other powers. On the contrary. such
disposition will be made of these troops
that they. with others. if necessary. can
be returned To China in short order. To
this end the entire army of Gen. Chaffee
VIII be quartered in some of the pleasant
est and most salubrious portions of the
philippines If they are wanted again in
Chinl they. can be transported inside of
a week, thoroughly refreshed and fitted
tOr effective action.
Ii Hung Chang Given Fall Power,
Minister Wu has not yet been clothed
with power by his government to effect
a settlement of the Chinese trouble di-
rectly with the Washington authorities
The officials are inclined to believe that
no such large power as this will be con-
ferred upon him, though he may. as do
the Chinese ministers in Europe play a
most important part in the prelminaries
TO the institution of regular negotiations
through commissioners for a final settle
ment
Mr. WI yesterday delivered to the State
Department an imperial edict comforting
on Ii Hung Chang absolute and uncon-
ditional authority to negotiate with the
powers for peace and for the settlement
of questions growing out of the war. The
edict is dated on the last day of the sew
enth moon, Chinese calendar which is
about August a. 1t is issued by the En-
perOr, and not the Empress DOWager in
dicating that the former is now eXercis-
ing those imperial functions which some
of the powers, notably Great Britain,
have insisted belonged TO him rather than
to the Empress DOwager. The document
does not show the place at which ii was
issued but il was transmitted through
Pao-Ting-Fu, and probably enanated
there. as the imperial household has been
al that point for some time.
An extended conference was held be-
tween Mr.. Hill and Minister WI, con-
cerning the extensive authority with
Which Ii Hung Chang is now invested.
The sedict makes him the sole negotiator
Cll the part of China, giving him discre-
ton to act finally, and in a manner TO
bind China. without Interference from the
Emperor The edict is prior to the re-
quest sent by Ii Hung Chang to the
haF he of nd
Wu Chang and Prince Shing be included
with him as negOtiators. This request
has not yet been responded TO by the
throne. so far as the Chinese minister
mere Is advised, but If Earl Lis request is
granted there is no doubt 1t will carry
the same absolute authority with which
Ii Hung Chang has now been invested.
Minister Wa says the authority is so COM
plete as 10 remove any possible ques-
tion as 10 the sutfieiency OF credentials.
CnnTEN CctTTRnp