The true northerner., 1900-09-21
TO WINTER
IN CHINA
MILITARY PREPARATIONS TO THAT
END IN PROGRESS.
ATTITUDE OF JAPAN IN REFER
ENCE TO RUSSIAN PROPOSAL.
CHINESE ANXIOUS TO NEGOTIATE
PEACE AT ONCE.

washington, Sept. 1S.-Ine passage
of the day without an event bearing
upon the Chinese situation went TO con-
firm the prediction made last week by
the officials that there would be no i'm
mediate important developments. Sew
eral cable messages were exchanged
and there were some consultations,
notably between Acting Secretary
Adee and the Chinese and Japanese
ministers and the French charge but
these were without visible result. The
general impression is that nothing can
be done until the Chinese themselves
have progressed further toward the
restoration of the government at Pekin.
Meanwhile the military preparations
for winter stay in China go on with
out CESSATION; though the officials are
careful to point out that these are only
precautionary measures and are not
TO be taken as an indication of a final
determination on the part of the gov
ernment.
cable COmn.uni cation.
Gen. Chailee's dispatches show a dc
cided improvement in the cable com
munications and notice having been
given TO the state department tLdt the
new cable from shanghai 10 Chefoo.
connecting at that pace with the Ia.
kue cable. has just been completed il
1t hoped that il soon win be possible
TO get messages through on the date
OF dispatch.
Count Won Waldcrsee, who will com
mand the allied armies, is expected 10
arrive at Shanghai next Wednesday or
Thursday. There have been no an
nOuncements OF his purposes, but IL is
expected tnat these viii develop as the
result OF instructions which he will re-
ceive OH arrival. Although a military
commander, II is tie understanding
among officials that hc probably will
exert considerable confidence on the
diplomatic situation, as he is n diplo-
mat as well as Il soldier He was with
the Germany embassy at Paris before
and after the Franco German war.
and has had wide experience in the
diplomatic field
Attitude OF Japan.
The Japanese minister Mr.. Taxa
Secretary Adee yesterday concerning
the status OF Chinese affairs. Japan's
course has been clearly defined in her
answer To the Russian proposal. In
this answer Japan announces her pur-
pose OF Withdrawing from Pekin all
'superfiuouS" forces, and continuing
there only such force as is considered
necessary. Just what number will con
sttute this superfuous force does not
appear, although it is expected TO be
the bulk of the Japanese detachment
now at Pekin. The efforts made by
China 10 start peace negotiations have
led TO the suggestion that Marquis Ito
the distinguished Japanese statesman,
represent that country in the negotia.
tions. n strong public sentiment has
been developed in Japan in his behalf
but he has expressed an unwillinguess
10 accept the post, feeling that the con-
ditions do not require his services. Ii
was Count Ito who represented Japan
III the negotiation with Ii Hung
Chang for the settlement OF the Japan
China war.
Anxious for Peace
The desire of China TO actually be-
gin the negotiations for peace was evil
denced yesterday in a dispatch from
Prince Ching, delivered by Minister
WI TO the state department. The dis
patch was dated at Pekin Sept. 5, and
in it Prince Ching states that he has
been clothed with full authority. along
with Ii Hung Chang, TO negotiate for
peace. He expresses IA desire to pro-
ceed in the matter, and asks Minister
WI to submit request to the Secre-
tary OF State to send instructions TO
Minister Conger TO begin the negotia-
tons at once. Ii Is probable that no inn
mediate response to the request for in
TO Minister Conger can be
given, as Prince Ching's request will
have TO be laid before the president
and sufficient time given To consider !
the question of his credentials, as well
as the desirability of proceeding ut
once. Moreover, Ii Is likely that Min |
lister Congers Judgment as to when the |
actual negotiations should open will |
be given to considerable extent. |
Whether Prince Ching's request has
been made to other powers as well as
TO the United States is not known |
here, but In view of the desire to have |
Mr.. Conger proceed at once ii Is prob
able that the Chinese officials are ready |
to negotiate with the powers individu- |
ally. or with them as "A whole, through |
the medium of n commission.