The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-09-06
To LEAVE PEKIN.
THE DECISION TO WITHDRAW
AMERICAN TROOPS.
NO DEFINITE AGREEMENT.
Our Government Would Have Preferred
the Continuance of N Garrison, Under "a
Definite Understanding, Until the
Chinese Government Had Permanent
ly Resumed Its Authority.

Washington Especially. - The State
Department made public the proposi-
tion of Russia to recall its minister
from China and its troops from Pekin,
and the reply of this Government. Just
when Mr.. Conger and the American
troops will leave Pekin depends on
General Chaffee, but it is reported that
this week will witness the departure of
the American troops from the Chinese
capital.
Mr.. Adee's letter explains the line
along which the Government has been
acting since General Chaffee arrived in
Pekin. He urged the immediate with
drawal of the American troops, the
American minister to accompany the
troops, of course, for he could not be
left alone at the capital. But the Gov
ernment did not, at the time the sug-
gestlon was made, deem 1t advisable to
withdraw Immediately.
AS stated in Mr.. Adee's letter, this
Government believed then that the
capital should be Jointly occupied un-
der definite understanding between
the powers until the Chinese Govern
ment had returned and resumed its au-
thority permanently, including both its
executive and its diplomatic functions
Had this concert of action between the
powers been arranged-or, indeed, In
the improbable event that it will be
arranged-it is likely that the War
Department will point out the useless
mes or holding so many troops in the
unhealthy city as now crowd It., and
would have suggested the propriety OF
retaining only an international garri-
son, as Will be done, for the protection
of the foreign ministers in Pekin.
But there is no reason to believe that
there will be that general expression
by the powers in favor of continued
occupation, which will modify the
views expressed by the Government of
Russia, and lead to a general agree
ment for continued occupation. The
administration has not the least ex-
pectation that suggestion made by
any of the powers will persuade Russia
to alter the program she has an
nounced. 1t is useless to speculate on
Russia's motives. Possibly she has ui-
terror designs of territorial aggression.
which she strenuously denies, because
she is not at this time in position to
maintain her demand. Possibly Car
Nicholas was honest when he suggest
ed the Peace Conference that met at
lhe Hague, and that, being consistent,
ne now is actuated by a sincere wish
for peace. Honesty and good faith are
not, OF necessity impossible qualities
in Car. However. the Government
is wasting no time on these specula-
tions. Russia has announced her de-
termination to withdraw her troops
from Pekin, and, therefore, the Ameri-
can troops will follow her example.
Mr.. Conger has been notified of the
situation, and synopsis of the cor
respondence has been cabled to Gem
eral Chaffee, so that he may hold his
troops in readiness to march out at any
time.
Japan notifies the Government that
she is in entire accord with its attitude.
The Russian troops will march to
New Chwang, and join the Russian ar
my of occupation in that city. The
Americans and Japanese will return to
Tieutsin.