Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-09-13
RUSSIA'S PROPOSAL.
Responses by the Powers in Re.
gard to Evacuating Pekin.
IOpE OU1RACES UPON MISSIONARIES
O0ieial Information That steps Are BslnG
Taken Toward the Appointment OF
Peace Commission Attitude Of
the United StAtes

Warrington, sept. 6.-Wltnm tne
list "a hours the United States gov
eminent has received from its repre-.
.Sentatives at foreign capitals much
material information in regard to the
sttitude of the powers on the Rus
sian proposal to evacuate Pekin.
These give the general nature of the
responses made to Russia by certain
Of the powers. II is stated authori-
tstively that If there was at any time
. prospect Of a serious international
clash this has been very largely II
not entirely removed by the harmO-
NOUS character of the cOmmunica-
lions the several governments are
making, The exact nature OF the
responses is not made public by the
state department, for there are yet
some replies to be transmitted and
until all of them are in the negotia-
tons are considered in such an in
complete form that they will not be
made public. II is said, however, that
the answers go much beyond the ten
tative character Of those heretofore
referred to and are of conclusive ma
ture, so far as showing the purposes
of the governments, although they
may not be regarded as conclusive in
accepting or rejecting the particular
proposition advanced by Russia. The
responses are understood to be rather
long and somewhat argumentatiye,
similar in this respect to the Ameri-
can response. This very fact Is a
cause for congratulation among Off
cials, as they point out that there is
no disposition to treat the proposal
with terseness or in any manner to
give 0ffense, but rather to bring the
powers together on common basis.
On the whole the general tendency OF
the responses Is such as to give entire
satisfaction here as to the course of
the negotiations.
II the present state of affairs in
China is protracted until the arrival
there of Field Marshal Count Won
Waldersee Germany will endeavor to
have all the negotiations with the
Chinese government conducted
through that official as a representa-
tive, not only Of Germany alone, but
OF all the powers. It is gathered that
strong arguments will be advanced to
support the advisability of combined
action through one agency in this
manner as the best means of securing
q speedy and generally satisfactory
termination of the Chinese trouble.
II there is any change in the mill
tnry situation since Gen. Chaifee's
dispatch, supposed to be of the 30th
ult., no word of It has reached Wash
ington. II Is understood that the dis
turbances and outrages upon mission
aries continue In some Of the districts
outside Of Pekin. II is believed here,
possibly because of these reports,
that the foreign ministers in Pckn
probably will enter an earnest OBJ
lection to any withdrawal of troops
II their respective governments de-
lay action upon the Russian propo-
sition until they have had chance
TO express their views.
The German foreign Office appears
70 be active IN furthering the nego.
tiations and quite number of mes,
sages have passed between Washing,
ton and Berlin. Those persons most
likely to have a correct understand,
ing Of Germanys attitude look for
the suggestion of n compromise, or
middle course, which will be neither
"a acceptance nor a rejection of the
Russian proposal, but will be such a
satisfactory middle ground that all
the powers, including Russia, can
agree TO II. For instance, il is sug-
gested that Germany with propriety
might suggest that certain limit
be fixed on the extent OF the military
detachment to be left at Pekin, with
m understanding that each small de-
tschment con6ne itself to quarters so
long as peace and quiet prevails in
Pekin. but be ready to act in case Of
further Chinese depredations.
In another quarter the strong be-
lief Is expressed that the requisite
compromise will be found by China's
re-establshing government and
naming peace commissioners. Off
cial intimation reached Washington
that steps are now beng taken to.
ward the appointment of such peace
commission, including Ii Hung Chang,
the yiceroys of Nankin and WI Chan
and Prince Ching though reports alst
have named Yung Lu and lsi Tung
in place of the two Pacific viceroys.
But while there is no doubt as ia
the personnel of the commission, il
10 quite generally accepted among
officials that some such move on the
part of China has matured and will
take form in Washington very soon.
In view of the declarations made in
the American reply to Russia some
question has arisen as to the course
open to this country in case of a com.
promise or change in the present dip.
lomatic status. 1t is said that the