Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-09-22

Washington, Sept. 20.-The first def
mite determination to begin peace ne
gotiations with China seems to have been
reached by the French and Russian gov
ernments, which have made known their
with LII Hung Chang and Prince Ching
as soon as feasible. This doubtless Will
have an important influence on the pres
ent negotiations which are hinging to
considerable extent on the opening Of
peace negotiations.
As mEaRGe Is saqpfpsaaRk aqpfpsaaRk With I'd RHSSssa shs
prospect of a modification Of the Russo
Franco determination to withdraw from
Pekin. 1t also disposes of all questions
as to the credentials OF Ii Hung Chang
and places France in a position of being
ready to proceed on the credentials he
has brought forward. 1fit is the purpose
of France and Russia to begin peace ne
gotiations it would follow that at least
some of the great powers will not concur
in the German note requiring the sur
render of the chief Chinese ringleaders
as an indispensable prerequisite to the
opening Of negotiations.
With the German proposition to post
pone peace negotiations with China un
til the persons responsible for the Pc
kin outrages are punished, and the
French and Russian notification Of the
purpose Of those governments to begin
such negotiations awaiting him, the pres
ident found much matter of Importance
to dispose of upon his arrival in Wash
ington from Canton yesterday.
q IoSf ne tf,n ~, inc ha pf1t iol
whom he desired to consult of his re.
turn, and the day was largely given up
to private discussions. Although it was
stated that no answer was ready to the
German note, it appeared that the presi-
dent. after talking over the situation
with his advisers, had arrived at the
conclusion as to the nature of the re-
sponse, but all information as to it's con-
tents was refused at the state depart
mert. 1t was said that the note was
going to be gone over carefully at
further meeting between the president
and such of his advisers as are in the
city.
The German government, apparently,
is anxious for a speedy answer a Baron
Sternberg paid two visits to the state
department after the German note was
delivered. The Chinese minister was
also twice at the state department. seek
ing TO influence the government not to
agree to the Joint action suggested in the
German note.
The conclusion reached from the days
~ e'-~.-> ants iS that the powers are di-
yiding a3 to China, and that, at present,
Germany and Great Britain stand
aligned against France and Russia
while both sides are ardently seeking
the adherence of the United States gov
ernment. The issue appears to be made
up In such shape as to dismiss further
hope OF alta ming that harmony of action
respecting China that the president has
been seeking so far, and the point ap-
parently has been reached where the
United States must take sides or at one"
proceed to act entirely Independently OF
other powers in aching a.'settle,nent.
The Chinese government is urging the
latter course upon the state department.
but thus far there has been restraining
force in the desire to avoid making the
United states the first of the powers to
break the solid front that has been main
tained up to the present.