The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-09-04
The Special Commissioner Tells
Of the Conditions in China
as He Found Them.
Chinese Government Is Able to Break
the Concert and to Bring About
a Disagreement.
This - the Greatest Crisis in the
History of the Chinese Empire
ALI Other Questions Sink
Into Insignffcance.

Snangnal, sept. 3.--Mf. Wllllam
Woodville Rockhill, special commits
sioner of the United States govern
ment to investigate and report on
conditions in China in an interview
with a press representative emphasiz-
ing the Importance of the harmonic
Gus action of the powers as a meas
ure of self-defense, said:
eff the Chinese government is able
to break the concert of nations and
to bring about a disagreement on the
part of any government, in such
way as to secure the relaxation of
the joint demands, all the foreigners
in China may as well pack up and
leave.
''This is the best opportunity to
settle for all time the status of for
eigners in China. If that matter is
not settled now the Chinese will be
encouraged to persist in their pres
ent policy and the powers will have
the whole trouble to thrash over again
every two or three years. 1 believe
that all the governments are impress
ed with this truth; and 1 believe that
most of them realize that a definite
and permanent settlement of the
status of foreigners and the estab-
lishment of freedom of trade are
more important to them now than
the acquisition of territory.
This has been a deliberately plan
ned movement on the part of the
Chinese government to eXpel all for
eigners. The DEGREES printed in the
Imperial Gazette prove this. The
movement has been practically sue
cessful, since every foreigner in the
interior has been obliged to seek ref
uge in the treaty ports. The impe-
rial government merely utilized the
Boxers as convenient accessories to
;ts schemes
''The relief of Picking is merely an
incident of the crisis. The really i'm
portant work remains to be done.
Marquis Ito, probably the best in
formed man alive on eastern poll
tics, said to me that the present was
the greatest crisis in the history of
China and that AL preceding east
ern questions sunk into insignificance
beside it. Are civilized nations to
yield to the Chinese conceit of their
own superiority?"
Mr.. Rockhill and other officials in
Shanghai, like the public, are utterly
ignorant of the course of diplomatic
and military events in Picking. The
consuls of the various governments
have sent frequent kilograms to their
respective ministers but have been
unable to get replies. 1t is suspected
that official messages are tempered
with between Shanghai and Chee-Foo.
The attitude of the southern vice
roys in protecting foreigners COM
mands confidence in their good faith;
and negotiations will probably be
conducted through them.
Ii Hung Chang still remains in
Shanghai. He is thoroughly discred-
tied but is intriguing to get the for
eigners to quarrel among themselves.
Washington, Sept. $50 far as can
be ascertained, there were no impor-
tant developments in the Chinese sit
uation here Sunday. The officials
maintain unusual reticence. They
say they have no information to make
public regarding the replies to the
American-Russian propositions re-
garding the withdrawal of the mil
itary forces of the powers from Pc
king. Mr.. Adee, the acting secretary
of state, has decided for the present
not to make any statements as to
the names of the powers which have
answered, or to indicate whether the
replies are of an affirmative cbarac-
ter, on the ground that publication
of the attitude of the powers might
-emlbarrass the present negotiations.
1t is impossible, therefore, to learn
definitely to what extent answers
have been received. The opinion pre-
walls, however, that none of a con-
elusive character have as yet come to
hand, such communications as have
{ been received being merely of a pre-.
liminary character. In diplomatic
circles the opinion prevails that none
of the great powers have as yet
reached a final determination as to
the course they will pursue.
Tien-Tsin, Aug. 29.-The Germans
have formally demanded for them
selves all the buildings and grounds
of the camp of the United States
troops. explaining that these will be
needed by the large German forces
soon TO arrive. AS the American
camp lies in the German concession
the demand will probably be complied
with and new camp for the United
States troops will be established out
side the city.
Pointer for Bankers.