Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-09-21
OF the offending Chinese az condition
prior to the opening OF peace negotia-

SPIlOE 10 tNe opening OF peace ue8Otla.8
itions.
All the nations except the United
States. Russia and Japan have an-
rlounced that the time has arrived to
demonstrate by example that the high
Chinese officials are not immune from
punishment for offenses against the
powers. For that reason no assurances
have been given the empress dowager.
or other officials Of protection should
they return to Pekin. It is known that.
broad proposition that the guilty off,
prepared to accept without conditions
that the punishment should be prece-
dent to condition upon which peace
negotiations be opened.
The Chinese minister, Mr.. WI, has.
been diligent in his efforts at the state
department to persuade the United:
States to adopt an independent course
and Immediately open negotiations
without awaiting the other nations. In
diplomatic circles the strong belief pre-
walls that Mr.. Wu. as the representa-
tive OF China, is following program
pre- pared by Russia. The czar is re-
garded as directing the strength of his
government to save the offending Chi-
| nese officials.
An acceptance OF the German propo-
sition involves necessarily. in the opin-
ion of administration officials. inquiry
to ascertain the procedure to be adopt
ed They say the punishment to be In
! flicted should first be decided. whether
capital. banishment or incarceration for
lslife. The methods of ascertaining who
are guilty, the apprehension and con-
lviction by the court that sis.to try them
should also be determined before the
United States announces its accept
ance OF broad proposition to punish
| the guilty. There are diplomats who
favor the German proposition ard pre-
dict that the guilty officials can be
easily apprehended.
A reply to the Russian inquiry as to
the policy to be pursued by the United
I States in the withdrawal of troops from
/ Pekin has also been prepared and will
1 be finally considered at the cabinet
meeting today. II is understood that
4 there will be no change in the original
answer and the effect OF the Russian
negotiations will be that American
4 troops will remain in Pekin thruout the
4 winter.
1t is not believed that the full fbrce Of
the American troops will be main.
there. but it is well esta blished that no
I.nation, not even Russia, intends to
withdraw all its troops from Pekin.
i The impression prevails In diplomatic
circles that the purpose OF Russia Is to
win supremacy in China by coming to
4 the assistance OF the dowager empress
and her party in the present emergency.
1 All apparent sacrifices necessary are
to be proposed to save them from pun-
4 |ishment. The Russian and Chinese for
4 eign offices are reported to be working
4 In harmony to accomplish that end.
4 The seriousness OF the present situa-
tion in China grows out OF the deter
4 mination of Germany, England ane
4 several other nations that the Russian
4 policy shall be frustrated. The exten'
4 to which this rupture between the pow
ers of Europe may be carried is ques-
tionable. 1t may be that the United
( states Is in a position to preserve the
4 peace OF the world. The belief in dip
4 lomatic circles is, however, that the
4 situation in China is growing more
complicated day by day and that it vii
result in worlds war.