The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-02
REPORTS CONFLICTING
Russia, Japan and America Will
Doubtless Act Together.
ENGLAND AND GERMANY ARE IN DOUBI
Il Is Said That Lord Salisbury Favors The Plan
Of Withdrawal From Pekin. Japanese
Landing Parties Have Quit
ted Annoy.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Washington, Sept 1.-The entire course
of negotiations on the Chinese question
is now dependent upon the responses of
the powers to the Russo American pro-
posals. 1t was stated authoritatively at
the close cf official hours today that no
answers had been received from any |
source, other than those of a preliminary !
and inconclusive character heretofore an
nounced. Moreover, il is stated by re-
sponsible Administration officials that not |
until the last answer is received, will |
the ceg0tiations assume any definite |
form as the last answer may prove TO be |
the dissent from international accord to- |
ward which all efforts 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 CT
the Communication made to this Govern |
ment by the Russian charge. BY far the |
most imDortant correction 1T makes is in
disclosing that Russia had not ordered !
her Minister and troops to withdraw
from China as was stated in the |
American paraphrase Of the proposal, but |
that she intended to recall M. De Giers |
and bis staff 'to Tien Tsn." whittier
they win be accompanied by the Russian
troops. In short Russia has not an
nounced purpose to withdraw from
China. brit only from Pekin.
AS the negotiations progress, the view
is strengthened among officials that the
Russo American plan CT withdrawing
from Pekin' ultimately will be concurred
in by all OF the powers. In diplomatic
quarters this outcome is looked upon as
practically assured. Tt fsl pointed cut
that if tie Russian. American and Japan
Csc troops are withdrawn from PelIin
the other powers would not have 5000
men remaining there. which would be a
force utterly inadequate to garrison and
defend the capital. The British force now
at Pekn is said to number $500 men, and
the German force is only a few hundred.
On the other hand. the Russian and
Japanese contingents are very large, and
with their withdrawal the main strength
of The allies at Pekin would be taken
away. As 2 matter of necessity, there
fore, it is held that the withdrawal of
the larger forces will compel the smaller
leave 1T the same time.
The brief answer which Germany al
ready has made to this Government states
that any general consideration of the
proposition will be dependent upon in
quiries rs to TIE condition of affairs at
Pekin. These Inquiries are now in prog |
ress through the German officials at the |
Chinese capital. and their responses are
expected to form the basis of Germany's |
general answer. Those in position to
take an intelligent view of Germany's
course say there is little doubt of Ger
nanv's acceptance. One of the chief
reasons set forth for this course is that
after ALL Gemnanys accord with Russia
and other continental nations is OF prim-
airy Importance. whereas the holding of
Pel1in is of secondary Importance.
The course of tie British Government
is being awaited with keen interest, not
only for its effect upon the present ques-
ton, but because of the part it will have
in maintaining the accord between the
powers. There is a noticeable feeling
among some of the foreign representa-
tves here that Great Britain will decline
to ACCEPT the plan and thereby will be-
come isolated from tire rest Of the pow
ers. In this connection. the present sit
uation is being compared to that at the
close of the Japan China war, when Rus
STA, Germany and France formed a triple
alliance which practically determined the
resr..sj of the conflict. The issue at
that time was as to Japan's holding Chi
nese territory, particularly the Lao
Tung Peninsula. Great Britain declined
TO intervene. and to certain extent be-
came isolated, while Russia, Germany and
France, by their united action. made it
i'm .!arative that the peace settlement
should be on the basis OF JaDans even
tual withdrawal from the mainland of
Asia 1t was remarked today in we'll
posted Diplomatic quarter that Great
Britain's hesitation at this time might
bring about REPETITION of the Japan
China alliance. in which event the opin-
ion was expressed that British influence
in TIE Far East would be shaken ma
tcrially # not entirely broken.
THE JAPANESE LEAVE Annoy.
Berlin, Sept. 1.-The following dispatch
has been received from Annoy under date
of August 31st:
1.-The japanese landing parties have
been Withdrawn from here and at Kulang-
Flu only 80 marines remain ashore. These
and so British marines landed August 3Oth,
will presumably be withdrawn shortly