The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-09
AMERICAN ARMY
TO LEAVE PEKIN.
Transports to Await the.
Forces at Taku.
PLANS FOR HARMONY.
Leading Chinese Officials Suicide.
Starvation Stares the Natives.
ESCORT FOR PRINCE CHING.
The Emperor Located, But the Where
abouts of Prince Tuan is not
Known Order Restored
aL Annoy, and Local Au-
thorities Apolosized
ID Japan.
ESCORT FOR PRINCE CHING.
(By Associated Press J

WASHINGTON, Sept S.-Orders have
been calbled to General ChaHee to prepare
his forces for withdrawal from Pekin.
Further than that the War Department
has taken steps to have at Taku suffi-
Gent nuber of United States transports
10 remove these troops to the Philippines
as soon as they reach the port
These orders are preparatory and do not
necessarily indicate that our Government
has decided finally upon an immediate
withdrawal from China. 1t is simply plac-
ing Itself in a position to carry out the
pledge conveyed in the reply to the Rus
sian note
PLANS UNCHANGED.
Up to the present, OUT Government has
NOT changed its policy in this matter. It
is lntimated that the prospects OF COM
pieteAy harmonious action OF the Powers,
IS Frightening every day. 1t is felt that
this as TIME for compromise propositions
as between the German and Russian de-
signs in China and such propositions now
form the substance of nearly al diplomatic
exchanges which are in daily progress.
The continuance Of quiet in Pekin, tend
ing TO reassure the Chinese officials, IS be-
lieved TO be rapidly Fastening negotiations
for q final settlement. There is the best
reason TO believe that were the Chinese
once assured of the personal safety of its
members, were it relieved of a dismember-
ment of China and the menace of large
foreign force in the capital. the Imperial
Court, including the Emperor and Empress
Dowager, would lose no time in returning
to Pekin and opening negotiations ior a
settlement. Hence, the suggestion has
been thrown out that the allied forces in
Pekin be reduced to a number sufficient to
insure the immediate safety of the iega-
tions. while the remaining forces retire be-
Sond the walled city, perhaps to Tien Tsin,
and if the progress of the negotiations
saem TO warrant it, perhaps be withdrawn
altogether from Chinese soil.
There are only two obstacles to the exc
cution of this plan. One is the difficulty
of framing suitable guarantees for the con-
tinuance, to a successful conclusion, OF. the
negotiations for general settlement; the
other is the compromising attitude of one
of the Powers. Il is now believed that the
difficulties as 10 guarantees can be salts
factoriiy adjusted. The other obstacle can
be overcome by a threatened Isolation OF
The refractory Power. For this reason II
is hoped that the Powers can be brought 10
act IN harmony in the matter of the eNac-
uat:on of Pekin, and ii is entirely possible.
if this plan is executed that all OF the
American troops, save a small NUMBER ieit
to guard the legation at Pekin, can De
withdrawn from China before the winter
sets in.
1t viii not be necessary tc delay the ne
goliations until the evacuation IS COM
pleted.
Special Commissioner Roclhiil has lett
Shanghai for Pellin. A report by cable
from him. dated yesterday, indicated that
he had begun the discharge OF his oules
rs a special observer Of the present Chi-
nese disturbances.