The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-02
Everything Depends, However,
on the Last Answer.
GERMANY's ACCEPTANCE DOUBTFUL
Source of the British Government is Be-
ing Awaited With Keen Interest
May Become Isolated from
Rest of the Powers

Washington, september line eutre
course of negotiations on the Chinese ques-
ton is now dependent upon the responses
of the powers of the Russo-American pro-
posals. 1t was stated authoritatively at
the close of official hours today that no an
swers had been received from any source
other than those of preliminary and in
conclusive character heretofore announced.
Moreover it is stated by responsible adj
ministration officials that not until the last
answer is received will the negotiations
assume any definite form as the last an
swer may prove to be the dissent from an
international accord toward which all eff
forts are now bending.
Much interest was aroused today by the
dispatch from st. Petersburg giving the
full text of the Russian proposal as it
cleared up some discrepancies which had
existed owing to the oral nature of the
communication made to this government
by the Russian Charge. By far the most
important information it makes is in dis
closing that Russia has not ordered her
Minister and troops to withdraw from
China" as was stated in the American
paraphrase in the American proposal, but
that she intends to recall M. DeGiers and
his staff ITO Tien Tsin,'' whittier they will
be accompanied by the Russian troops.
In short Russia has not announced a
purpose to withdraw from China, but only
to withdraw from Pekin.
As the negotiations progress the view
is strengthened among officials that the
Russo-American plan of Withdrawing from
Pekin ultimately will be concurred in by
all of the powers. In diplomatic quarters
this outcome is looked upon as practical
ly assured.
Result of the Action
1t is pointed out that If the Russian,
American and Japanese troops are with
drawan from Pekin, the other powers
would not have five thousand men remain
Ing there. which would be a force utterly
inadequate to garrison and to defend the
capitol. The British force now at Pekin is
said to number 5000 men, and the German
force Is only few hundred. On the other
hand, the Russian and Japanese contin-
gents are very large, and with their with
drawal the main strength of the allies at
Pekin would be taken away 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 has
made to this government states that any
general consideration of the proposition
would depend upon inquiries as to the con-
dition of affairs at Pekn. These inquiries
are now in progress through the German
officials at the Chinese capital, and their
responses are expected to form the basis
of Germany's general answer. Those in po-
stion to take an intelligent view of Ger
many's course say there is little doubt of
Germanys acceptance.
One of the chief reasons set forth for
this course Is that after all, the question
of staying In Pekin Is of secondary impor-
tance, and Is quite insignificant compared
with the far reaching question of main
tanning an accord among those continental
nations which thus far have acted togeth-
err not only as to China, but as to many
other questions of general policy.
OF Primary importance
In short, 1t Is felt that Germany's ac-
cord with Russia and other continental ma
tons Is of primary Importance, whereas the
holding of Pekin is of secondary charac-
ter, and In such circumstances the primary
consideration will prevail.
The course of the British Government Is
being awaited with keen interest, not only
for It's effect upon the present question, but
because of the part it will have in main
tanning the accord between the powers.
There is a noticeable feeling among some
of the foreign representatives here that
Graf Britain will decline to accept the
plan and will thereby become isolated from
the rest of the powers.
In this connection the present situation Is
being compared to that at the close of the
Japanese-Chinese war, when Russia, Ger
many and France formed a triple alliance,
which practically determined the results of
the conflict The issue at that time was as
TO Japan's holding Chinese territory par
ticularly the Lao Tung peninsula. Great
Britain declined to intervene and to a GER
tain extent became isolated, while Russia,
Germany and France by united action made
1t imperative that the peace settlement
should be the bases of Japan's eventual
withdrawal from the mainland of Asia.
1t was remarked today in all well posted
diplomatic quarters that Englands hesita-
ton this time might bring about a repeti-
ton of the Japan-China alliance, in which
event the opinion was expressed that Brit
ish influence in the far east would be
shaken materially If not entirely broken.