The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-09-13
EVENTS IN
FAR EAST
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ell, all OF WHOM favored peace.
The minister added that he himself was
still in communication with the Chinese
government whose authority remained
entire and who merely temporarily
residing in the province of Shan 81.
SENTIMENT AT WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.-Our govern
ment has not yet been informed that any
further responses have been made by the
powers to the Russian note respecting
the withdrawal of troops from Picking.
Therefore, the negotiations on this point
cannot be said to have been marked by t
any formal advancement though it is
known that unofficial exchanges are in !
progress, which doubtless are preparing /
the way for formal management of the
powers in the near future. Acting through |
Ii Hung Chang, the Chinese imperial /
government is making strenuous efforts |
TO secure favorable consideration for its
peace oyertures. While our government |
has not yet received a copy of the imperial |
edict referred to in the Shanghai des- |
patches, naming Earl Ii and several other /
Chinese notables as plenipotentiaries to |
negotiate for a settlement with the pow
ers. the State Department is advised
through its agents of the existence of
such an edict. mis-, it is expected, will !
be communicated to the Department when |
Mr.. WI, the Chinese minister returns to
Washington.
II Is dSCeflaineu tnat neither MI. ROCK
hill, Mr.. Conger nor Gen. Chaffee have
been clothed with any special powers to
meet these or any other Chinese ENJOYS.
/ 1t is stated that Mr. Rockhill is in China
simply to observe and report upon con-
ditions-he has no ministerial powers UP
1 to the present. General Chaffee's func-
! tons are purely military, so it is said,
and while of course he would be fully
empowered to grant a truce, he is not
empowered TO conduct negotiations for
! final settlement between the United States
and China.
Minister Conger has only his general
powers as minister resident. Broadly
construed, these would serve to warrant
him in receiving and transmitting any
propositions from the Chinese authorities,
but he could scarcely go further than this.
The conclusion is that United States
official in China, civil military, can
at present conduct negotiations for a final
settlement with the Chinese government
and special powers must be conveyed by
the State Department, probably to one
of three persons named when 1t comes to
the final reckoning.
There is no disposition here to complain
of dilatoriness or the part of the powers
in disposing of the Russian suggestion
respecting withdrawal. 1t is felt that any
delay which ensues in the execution of
the Russian threat to withdraw actually
makes for peace for each days develop
ments point to the restoration to author
ity in Peking of some ghost of a govern
ment which may become tangible enough
to deal with the powers.
+ There is no word today from Mr.. Conger
or from General Chaffee.
The Oregon is now lying off Gutzlaff,
an island just outside of the mouth of
the Yang-tse Kiang. She is waiting for
a favorable tide to cross the bar and pro-
coed to Woo Sung, just below Shanghai
, where she is to do guard duty for awhile.
RUSSIA'S ONLY DESIRE
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept. 5-The off,
ial Journal de St Petersburg. reiterating
the statement that Russas only desire
is TO end the disturbances in China as
speedily possible, preparatory to
which the re-establishment of the Chi
nese government is necessary" contends
that military action beyond Picking would
only arouse fresh complications.
The papers adds: Nothing but the
lawful government of China can accom-
!plish lasting, salutary results. Therefore,
1t is necessary to re-establish its author
ty at Peking and the withdrawal of the
representatives of the powers to Tien-
Tsin will be helpful in this direction as it
would be regarded in China as proof that
the powers have remained true to the
spirit which inspired the original pro-
gramme.
However great may be the just indig-
winch events IN emma nave pro-
Voked in all civilized countries, the Rus
sian government while examining with
necessary calmness all the questions rails
ed by the recent occurrences, adheres
unalterably to the principle forming the
basis of her policy, namely the main
tenance of peace wi.h all the powers who
are soiidly united for the common good"
THE FUTURE OF CHINA.
NEW YORK. Sept. 5.-Mr. George
To-
Britannia Majesty at Shanghai is pass
ing through New York on his way to
China by way of Vancouver. MIR. jamie
son is one of the best known authorities
on Chinese affairs and has made study
of the finances of the empire which has
supplied the materials for most that has
been recently written on that subject. He
returns to China as the representative of
the Peking syndicate, which has received
important mining and railroad conces-
sions in the province of Shan ST. and he
has consequently an immediate interest
In the settlement of the present troubles
and In the political and material future
of the empire. Mr.. Jameson is also one
of the founders and an honorary secre-
] tary of the China League, an organiZa-
ticn recently formed in London for the
purpose of experimenting the work of the
China Association by educating the public
mind of the United Kingdom in regard
to the magnitude of the commercial and
other interests dependent upon the pos
session of the open door in China.
Speaking of the work of the league Mr..
Jameson said:
| Its purposes are similar to those of
your American-Asatic Association. with
which l hope it may establish close and
friendly relations. Like those here who
know anything about this subject we are
Impressed with the Importance of China
as an open market for our manufacture
ers and with the immense possibilities
which that country possesses as a legiti-
mate field for business enterprises. We
think we have some reason 10 take ex-
ception to the lack of definite line OF
policy on the part of our Government In
its dealings with China, but We recognize
the fact that the absence of a strong
popular sentiment on the subject may be
held to excuse much of the hesitancy
which has been apparent in English dip
lomatic action. Mr.. Hay very properly
i insisted in his communications to foreign
governments year ago, that reform
of the administrative system of China wa:
absolutely bound up with the preserva
ton of the integrity of the empire. Bu
there can be no such reform under tbs