Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-03
NO DEFINITE REPLY
Still Awaiting Response to Our Note
to the Powers.
DESIRED THAT RUSSIA WILL YIELD
General Chaffee Has Everything
Well in Hand.
WINTERING THE TROOPS
WINTERING THE TROOPS

State Department is preserving silence as
to the progress of the negotiations now
afoot respecting the withdrawal Of troops
from Pekin. 1t is gathered. however, that
up to date no definite responses have been
received to our latest communication to
the powers on that subject. 1t Is stated
that in all probability at least week will
be consumed in diplomatic exchange. At
the end of that time two things may hap
pen. RUSSIA may yield to what appears to
be the wish of nearly all the other powers
and refrain from carrying out her purpose
10 withdraw from Pekin, or the United
States forces will also be marched out. 1t
is clearly the wish Of our government that
the first of these lines of action shall be
taken. Events In Pekin, as reported IN
press dispatches encourage the government
here In the hope and almost in the expec-
tation that Russia will yield
Meanwhile nothing has been heard from
Mr. Conger since his dispatch transmitted
through Mr. Fowler last Saturday, and
supposed to have been sent from Pekin
about the 9th Of August.
The authorities questioned the accuracy
or authenticity of the published interview
with Special Commissioner Rockhill, but
are not likely to communicate with him on
the subject at present.
Powers Likely to Agree.
The entire course Of negotiations on the
Chinese question Is now dependent upon
the responses of the powers to the Russo
American proposals. AS the negotiations
progress, the view is strengthened among
officials that the Russo-American plan OF
from Pekin ultimately will be
concurred in by all of the powers. In dip
lomatic quarters this outcome Is looked
upon as practically assured. 1t Is pointed
out that If the Russian, American and Jap
anese troops are withdrawn from Pekin,
the other powers would not have 5000 men
remaining there, which would be force
utterly inadequate to garrison and defend
the capital
In diplomatic circles the opinion prevails
that none Of the great powers has as yet
reached a final determination as to the
course 1t will pursue. 1t is recognized here
that some of them at least will want suf-
fcient time to permit communication with
their diplomatic and military representa-
tives in China, with view to determining
the exact condition of affairs from their
own point of view before undertaking to
make any reply to SO important Proposi-
ton as that involved in American memo
randum.
Emperor May Return Alone.
An interesting bit OF information regard
ing the empress dowager has come to
Washington in a roundabout way. 1t was
to the effect that the British government
had received word that the empress was
going from Tyan-Fu. in the province of
Shansi, to which place she had fed after
her escape from Pekin, to Hsinan-Fu.
Hsinan-Fu is farther west than Tyan-Fu,
indicating that she is moving still farther
away from the Chinese capital. The report
says nothing of the emperor's movement.
1t Is suggested a possibility that he
may have left her encourage and that ha
may have decided to either remain where
he is or to return to Pekin. His return to
the capital city would probably completely
change the situation. He belonged to the
progressive party before he was compelled
to sign the imperial rescript of 1893. and II
restored to power peace negotiations would
undoubtedly be facilitated. The powers
would have more confidence in him than in
the reactionary party. Despite the empress
coup of two years ago diplomats here ia
miliar with Chinese affairs say the Chinese
people regard him as their rightful ruler.
The Annoy situation.
The government officials apparently are
not concerning themselves over the situa-
tion at Annoy, Notwithstanding the press
reports that great numbers of the Chinese
are leaving because of the fear of impend-
ing trouble Consul General Goodnow at
Shanghai has reported to the State De-
partment that the incident, referring to
the landing of marines by the Japanese
there, was closed. and this presumably has
satisfied the officials here. The gunboat
Castine dispatched to Annoy several days
since by the Navy Department, 1t is be-
lieved, will not tarry there long. Her dss-
tination was the Cavfte naval station in
the Philippines and the State Department,
taking advantage Of this knowledge, had
orders given that she stop at Annoy on
the way down to report upon conditions
there.
Winter Camps In China.
The War Department Is not informed as
to the plans for camps in China for the
winter, and Is not aware that the report
that three camps are to be established, one
each at Pekin, Tien Tsln and Taku, Is cor
rect The quartermaster's department has
sent to Taku enough supplies for that de-
partment to furnish the 5000 troops in
China with all necessaries from September
I until May 1. Some OF these supplies are
not all in China yet, but will be there with
In the next thirty or forty days. The last
ship to leave San Francisco for Taku with
ouartermaster's supplies was the Rose
cranz, which closely followed the Egbert
Both of these ships took abundant supplies
In the way of clothing. and subsistence
There had been previously sent immense
quantities of lumber, including everything
in the way OF building materials that Is
necessary in the construction Of barracks
for the men and stables for the horses
This lumber and similar supplies will reach
Taku IN a short time.
Taku Lacks Proper Camp Facilities.
1t Is somewhat doubtful whether Taku
will be made the site of large camp. as
the reports received by the quartermaster' s
department indicate that the facilities at
that place are not very good. there being
an especial lack Of buildings for storing
and warehousing the supplies While it is
possible that small detachment will re-
main at Taku, the belief at the War De-
partment Is that the main body of the
troops will be wintered at Ten Tsin.
Nothing has been announced from he
War Department as to General Chan ae' S
recommendation, but 1t u known that he