New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-02
RUSSIA'S PLEDGE.
HER POSITION IN CHINA
CLEARLY DEFINED.
FORMAL OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF
THE REASONS THAT LEAD TO A
WITHDRAWAL FROM PEKING.

St. Petersburg, Sept 1.-The Official Mes
senger to-day publishes the text of the circu-
lar addressed to the Russian representatives
abroad. dated August %, the gist of which, as
shown by the China correspondence issued yes
terday at Washington, the Russian Charge
dAfaires communicated to Acting Secretary
Adee on Monday.
The official announcement after stating the
Unexpectedly rapid turn of military events cat
the seat of war in Pe-Chi-LD, enabling a com
paratively insignificant detachment" of the al
lied forces to attain the original main object
the relief of the legationers and foreigners and
the dispersal of the rebels concentrated at the
capital proceeds:
These favorable circumstances, however,
change in no way the political programme of
Russia previously marked out in the last
Government communique, and in order that no
MISUNDERSTANDING or incorrect interpretations
regarding the further intentions of Russia may
arise the Emperor has directed the Acting For
eign Minister to address to his representatives
abroad the circular which follows:
The immediate objects which the Imperial
Government had in view at the very outset of
First-TO protect the Russian Legation at
Peking.
Second-To assure the safety of Russian sub
Jects against the criminal intentions of the Chi
neSe rebels.
Third-To render help to the Chinese Gov
ernment in its struggle with these troubles, IN
the interests of a speedy establishment of the
legal order of things in the empire.
AS result all the Powers Interested De,
cded. with the same objects in view, to send
troops to China The Imperial Government,
therefore. proposed the following fundamental
principles to guide the Powers in China:
First-The maintenance Of a common agree
ment among the Powers.
Second-The maintenance of the former state
of organism in China
Third-The removal of everything that could
lead to the partition of the Celestial Empire.
Fourth-The establishment with the united
Powers of q legal central Government at Pc
king, able alone TO preserve order and tran
quiIiity in the country.
On these points agreements preNalleu Win
almost all the Powers
While pursuing no other objects, the I'm
perial Government will continue to adhere
steadfastly to its former programme OF action
When the course Of events, such as a rebel at
tack on our troops at New-Chwang, and series
of hostile acts by the Chinese on our state IRON
tier as for instance. the bombardment OF
Blagovestchensk, induced Russia to occupy New
Chwang and march troops into the Manchurlan
territories such timely measures, which were
exclusively prompted by the necessity of ward
ing off the aggressive acts of the Chinese rebels
can in no way testify to any independent plans:
which are completely foreign TO the polcy OF
the Imperial Government AS soon as lastlnS
order shall have been established in Manchurla'
and Indispensable measures taken Tor the pro
lection of railway construction, which accord
ing to formal agreement China assured RUSSIA
will not fail to recall her troops from lHSsS
territories of the neighboring empire. PROVIDED
the action of other Powers does not place any
obstacle in the way of such measure. II Is
manifest that the interests of the other torelgh
Powers and international companies al the
port of New-Chang. occupied by RUSSIA anu
open to international trade, as also on the
railways which have peen restoTtu It nd pg oui
troops remain inviolate and are fulIy assureu.
By the capture OF PeKlhg' MnIcn; a9 oMIm9 -
changed circumstances, was eHecItu LhoIe
neditiously than expected, the first and prlh-
cinaI task which the Imperial Government SET
Itself the deliverance Of the representatives OF
The powers with all the foreigners besleged' mas
rTha eecond task namely, assisting in the es-
Of lpOa
,Tbicb shall cooperate in the re-establshment
of order and regular relations with the PoWeTs'
annears at present difficult, owing 10 the ue
Pppt,4ra fror the capital of the Emperor and
Fmpress Regent and the Isuhe II - alIlell' @
Under such circumstances the lInperlai toeeIm7 ]
rnent does not consider there is sulIlCleHC Ieeoh
e. +ba ministers accredited to the Chlnese Gov
ernment to remain longer at FekHls' ds lHe
latter is absent 1t is therefore INTENDED 10 re
Iii tho Russian Minister, with all the members
oF the Mission to Tien-Tsin, WAlther they WllI
- aooonnanied bv the Russian troops, whose
nresence at Peking henCeforWard appears pui
rpase1aes in consequence of the otten uecldIeu
AN determination of the Government HoC 70
depart from the task II origiatls , Ssovernrnent
soon however legal chinese Gov i4 iiItie ~
again takes the reins of power ana aPpoii.' aPIpit %
representative invested with run 9 by,ioe,
paootiate with the Powers, RUSSIA aItoi nc - @ 9
S o,oa 70 an agreement with all the foreign UOE-
ernnents will on her side not fal TO SSLiu ti q
oiarino+en+iarv to the place where the heso'ld-
tions will be held. , ,. o.. +ha
In recommending you to bring all this So ~ ae are
l,noyvledge of the Government 10 WillCI you a.. a.
accredited, we nope the iH''~'
views.
The "OfciaI Messenger concludes Win "ii
,o,nc,ng that in consequence of the commuhl-
cation of the above circular to the loIelsH
pou,ers NJ de Giers, the Russian Minister aC
paline and General Linevitch, commahoer u
t,a r,,,ssian troops at the Chinese capital were
diracted TO proceed promptly to carry out the
TrnDerial intentions regarding the transfer from
pelking to Tien-Tsn of all the members OF the
mission. Russian subjects and Russian troops
wttb due consideration for all local circum-
stances.
SOME DISCREPANCIES CLEARED uF-
r,r-ppoep or WITHDRAWING FROM