The Hawaiian gazette., 1900-09-14
EVENTS IN
FAR EAST
SENTIMENT Ar WASHINGTON.
CONTINUED from PAGE -


WASHINGTON. sept b-our govern
msnt has not yet been informed that any
further responses have been made by the
powers to the Russian note respecting
the withdrawal OF troops from Picking.
Therefore. the negotiations on this point
cannot be said to have been marked by
any formal advancement, though 1t Is
known that unofficial exchanges are In
progress. which doubtless are preparing
the way for formal management OF the
powers In the near future. Acting through
III Hung Chang, the Chinese imperial
government is making strenuous efforts
to secure favorable consideration for its
peace overtures While our government
has not yet received a copy of the Imperial
edict referred to la the Shanghai des-
patches, naming Earl Ii and several other
Chinese notab.es as plenipotcntiares to
negotiate for settlement with the pow
ers, the State Department is advised
through its agents Of the existence of
such an ed.Ct. lnis, II is expected, Will
be communicated to the Department when
MIR. WI. the Chinese minister, returns to
Washington.
1t is ascertaned that neither Mr.. Rock
hill. MIR. Conger nor Gen. Chamee have
been clothed with any special powers to
meet these or any other Chinese ENJOYS.
1t is stated that Mr.. Rockhill Is In China
simply to observe and report upon con-
ditlons-he has no ministerial powers up
to the present. General Chaffee's func-
tons are purely military, II is said.
and while of course he would be fully
empowered to grant a truce, he is not
empowered to conduct negotiations for
final settlement between the United States
and China.
Minister Conger has only his general
powers as minister resident. Broadly
construed, these would serve to warrant
him In receiving and transmitting any
propositions from the Chinese authorities,
but he could scarcely go further than this.
The conclusion is that no United States
official In China, civil or military, can
at present conduct negotiations for final
settlement with the Chinese government
and special powers must be conveyed by
the State Department probably to one
of three persons named when 1t comes to
the final reckoning.
There is no disposition here to complain
OF dilatoriness on the part of the powers
in disposing of the Russian suggestion
respecting withdrawal. 1t is felt that any
delay which ensues in the execution of
the Russian threat to withdraw actually
makes for peace for each days develop
ments point to the restoration to author
ity in Picking of some ghost of n govern
ment which may become tangible enough
to deal with the powers.
There Is no word today from Mr.. Conger
or from General Chaffee.
The Oregon is now lying off Gutzlaff
an island just outside of the mouth OF
the Yang-tse Kiang. She is waiting for
a favorable tide to cross the bar and pro-
coed to Woo Sung, just below Shanghai,
where she is to do guard duty for awhile.
RUSsIA'S vNLY DESIRE.
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept. 5.-The off,
ia1 Journal de st. Petersburg reiterating
the statement that Russia's only desire
Is to end the disturbances in China as
speedily as possible, preparatory to
which the re-establishment of the Chi
nese government Is necessary" contends
that military action beyond Picking would
only arouse fresh complications.
The papers adds: Nothing but the |
lawful government of China can accom- |
plish lasting, salutary results. Therefore, |
1t is necessary to re-establish its author |
ity at Picking and the withdrawal of the |
representatives of the powers to Tien-
Tsin will be helpful in this direction as 1t |
would be regarded in China as proof that |
the powers have remained true to the |
spirit which Inspired the original pro-
gramme.
However great may be the Just indig-
nation which events in China have pro-
poked In all civilized countries, the Rus
sian government while examining with |
necessary calmness all the questions rails
ed by the recent occurrences, adheres
unalterably to the principle forming the
basis of her policy, namely the main
tenance of peace w.-n all the powers who
are solidly united for the common good
THE FUTURE OF CHINA.
NEW YORK, Sept. 5.-Mr. George
Jameson. former Consul-General OF Her
Britannia Majesty at Shanghai, is pass
Ing through New York on his way to
China by way of Vancouver. Mr.. jamie
son is one of the best known authorities
on Chinese affairs and has made a study
of the finances OF the empire which has
a mo- In fAY
been recently written on that subject. He
returns to China as the representative of
the Picking syndicgte, which has received
important mining and railroad conces- {
sions in the province of Shan ST, and he
has consequently an immediate interest
In the settlement of the present troubles :
and in the political and material future
OF the empire. Mr.. Jameson is also one ,
OIL the founders and an honorary secre- | I
tary or the China League, an organiza- r
tlcn recently formed In London for the i
purpose of experimenting the work of the I
China Association by educating the public !
mind of the United Kingdom in regard ,
10 the magnitude OF the commercial and :
other interests dependent upon the pos !
session of the open door in China.
speaking OF the work of the league Mr. !
JAMESON said: =
Its purposes are similar TO those of a
your Amerlcan-Aslatic Association, with q
winch hope 1t may establish close and q
friendly relations. Like those here who
know anything about this subject we are p
impressed with the Importance of China r
as an open market for our manufacture 9
nrs and with the immense possibilities /,
"hlch mat country possesses as a leglti- 4
mate Held for business enterprises. We r
mink we have some reason 20 take ex- n
'eption TO the lack OF a definite line of ii
lolley on the part OF our Government In n
Is dealings with China. but we recognize %
ne fact that the absence OF strong,
popular sentiment on the subject may be N
'elh 10 excuse much OF tho hesitancy \
which has been apparent In English dip q
omatic action. Mr. Hay very properly II
insisted, In his communications 10 foreign 9,
governments year ago, that a reform 81
4 the administrative system OF China was ri
lpsoiutely bound up with ths pTeserya- e.