The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-01
MAY WINTER IN CHINA.
Gen. ChaTee's Command Is Making
ALI Necessary Preparations.

All N0c0SS8Cy Preparations.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31.-The Russian
note relative to the withdrawal of Russia.
from China and the United States re-
sponse thereto We're made public today
by the state department after the cabinet
had fully considered the expediency Of so
doing. The correspondence is unique in
the history of diplomatic exchange Vari-
Gus meanings may be placed upon the
statements Of the two principals to this
correspondence. Thus, on the one hand, It
may be noted that while Russia an
nounces a purpose to withdraw her troops
from China, still, ais to the occupying
force at Niu Chwang, a condition is at
tached that almost negatives the proposi-
ton as to that point Respecting our at
dtude, it appears that while believing the
best course to pursue is to remain in
Pekin, our government is still willing to
withdraw. Perhaps this means that if
there is to be separate action by the now
ers in China, the United States proposes
to deal with the situation with a free
hand. 1t may be noted in connection with
our withdrawal statement that whereas
Russia proposed to withdraw from China
our offer is to withdraw only from Pekin.
A significant fact ir- this connection is
that Gen. Chaffee, who is we'll advised of
the situation, having several days ago been
directed to prepare for Just such an
emergency as that precipitated bv the
Russian action, continues his prepara-
items for wintering the American troops
In China Indeed, unless the men are
Sliloat and out of the Pei Ho within the
next six weeks, they are likelv to re-
main in China perforce, being ice bound
Gen. Chaffee was further advised today
of the developments in the situation, a
compendtous statement of points in the
Russo-American correspondence being
cabled to him for his guidance As bear
ing further on prospects of the future. it
may be noted that the war departments 8
officials state that the government has
not considered the question of evacuation
of China
The full text of the French government 9
answer to Ii Hung Charg's peace propo-
sition Of Aug 10 and 21 has just been re-
ceiVed here It proves to be almost iden-
teal in language with the reply of the
American government which laid down as
a preliminary to peace overtures that Sc
curity in the Chinese capital and re-
sponsible government authority be es
tablished.
1t has developed that Ii Hung Chang s
credentials were issued by the empress
dowager and not by the emperor. Kvan
Hsu This may have an important bear
ing on the subject as it open up the au-
thority of the empress dowager since the
coup q etat Of Sept. 8, 1898, when she
took the reins of power from the hands
of the emperor 1t involves also the issues
between the empress dowager, who is
ant-foreign, and the emperor, who is pro-
foreign. Still a further consideration is
the Russian sympathies entertained by
the empress dowager as against the
British sympathies held by the emperor.
Although the exact whereabout of IL
Hung Chang continues to be in doubt. it is
the understanding of diplomatic officials
that he is now in continuous ccmmundca-
ton with the imperial household and thus
is enabled to convey to them the prospect
of return to the Chinese capital The
expected return Of Prince Ching to Pekin
is said to be a result Of this conl1nurica-
ton between Earl Ii and the imperial
family, and to be the initial move Of re-
sponsible authorities towards the capital
There is reason to believe also that Earl
Ii Is now in frequent telegraphic cor
respondence with European capitals, al
though Washington has not received a
word from him since Aug q, the date Of
the last appeal for peace.
1t was stated today, as an additional
reason for American acceptance Of Ii
Hung Chang, that his confidential secre-
tary and adviser is all American. Mr.
Pethick, formerly of the American con-
sular service at Tien Tsin Mr.. Pethdck
is known to have great influence with the
viceroy, and among the officials here he is
regarded as man Of exceptional ability
and scrupulous integrity.