The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-02
British and German Force Inadequate
to Remain Unsupported.
ACTION OF POWERS AWAITED.
No Definite Responses Have Been Re
ccived, but There Is Little Doubt
That All the Powers Will
Concur in Plan to With
draw from Pekin-Wil1
Not Eyacuate China
fBy Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON, September 1.-The en-
tire course of negotiations in the Chinese
question is now dependent upon the ans
wers OF the Powers to the Russo-American
proposals It was stated authoritatively
no answers had been received from any
source other than those OF q preliminary
and inconciusive character heretofore an
nounced. Moreover. it is stated by re-
sponsible administrative officials that not
until the last answer is received will the
negotiations assume any definite form, as
the last answer may prove to be the dis
sent from an International accord to
which all efforts are NOW bending
Much interest was aroused to-day by the
dispatch from ST. Petersburg, giving the
full text Of the Russian proposal, as it
cleared up some discrepancies. BY far the
most important correction it makes is
disclosing that Russia has not ordered her
minister and troops to withdraw from
China as was stated in the American
paraphrase Of the proposal. but that
she intends to recall n. DeGiers and
his staff. Ito Tien Tsin,'t whittier they will
be accompanied by the russian troops.
In short Russia has not announced a
purpose ~ withdraw from China but only
from Pekin.
AS the negotiations progress the view is
strengthened that the Russo-S1nerlcan
islan OF withdrawing from Pekin ultimately
Will be concurred in by all Of the Powers.
In diplomatic quarters this outcome is
looked upon as practically assured. 1t IS
-1cinted out that If the Russian, American
and Jaranesc troops are Withdrawn from
I,elzin. the other Powers would not have
5000 men remaining there, which would
be a force utterly inadequate to garrison
and defend the capital. The British force
now at Pekin is said to number $500 men,
and the German force is only few hun
drod- On the other hand the Russian and
japanese contingents are very large and
with their withdrawal the main strength
Of the allies at Pekin would be taken
away.
MATTER OF NECESSITY.
As a matter of necessity, therefore, it
Is held that the withdrawal of the larger
forces will compel the smaller forces of
Great Britain and Germany to leave at
the same time
The brief answer which Germany already
has made to this Government states that
any general consideration of the proLosi-
tion will be dependent upon inquiries as
10 the condition Of affairs at Pekin. These
Inquiries are now in progress through the
German official at the Chinese capital,
and Their responses are expected to form
the basis of Germany's general answer.
Those In a position to take an intelli-
gent view of Germany's course say there
IS little doubt of Gelmany's acceptance
One OF the chief reasons set forth for this
course is that. after all, Germany's accord
with Russia and other continental nations
Is Of primary Importance. whereas the
holding of Pel1in is of secondary import
ance
BRITAIN'S COURSE.
The course of the British Government
IS being awaited with keen interest. not
only for its effect upon the political ques-
ton. but for the part it will have in main
tanning the accord between the Powers.
There is noticeable feeling among some
of the foreign representatives that Great
Britain Will decline to accept the plan and
thereby will become isolated from the rest
of the Powers. In this connection the
present situation is being comp<Af to
that at the close Of the Japan-China war.
when Russia. Germany and France formed
a triple alliance. which practically deter
mined The results of the conflict
The issue at that time was as to Japan s
holding Chinese territory, particularly the
Lao Ting peninsula. Great Britain de-
ciined to intervene. and to a certain eX-
tent became isolated. while Russia, Ger
many and France. by their united action,
made ii imperative that the peace settle
ment should be on the basis OF Japan
eventual withdrawal from the mainland OF
Asia.
IL was remarked to-day in a we'll posted
diplomatic quarter that Great Britain S
hesitation at this time might bring about
a repetition of the Japan-Ch'na alliance
IN which event, the opinion was expressed,
British influence in the far East would be
shaken materially, If not entirely broken.