Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-09-06
ATTITUDE OFPOWERS.
Replies to the American Russian
Proposition Not Published.
Ii HUNG CHANG IS DISCREDITED.
Foreigners at Shanghai Look with suspl
ci0n on Motives Of the Chinese States
man - The Empress Getting stiIl
Further from Pekin.

| Washington, Sept. $50 far as can
be ascertained there were no ilnpor'
tant developments in the Chinese situa
ton here yesterday. The officials
maintain unusual reticence. They say
they have no information to make
public regarding the replies to the
American-Russian propositions re-
garding the withdraw of the mil
itary forces of the powers from
Pekin. Mr.. Adee, the acting secre-
tary of state, has decided for the
present not to make any statement
as to the names of the powers which
have answered, or to indicate whether
the replies are Of an affirmative or a
negative character, on the ground
that the publication of the attitude
of the powers might embarrass the
negotiations at this time. II is.there-
fore, impossible to learn definitely
to what extent answers have been re-
ceived. The opinion prevails, however,
that none of conclusive character
have as yet come to hand, such com
municatiOns as have been received be-
ing merely Of preliminary character.
In diplomatic circles the opinion pre-
walls that none of the great powers
have as yet reached final determi-
nation as to the course they will pur-
sue. 1t is recognized here that some
of them at least will want sufficient
time to permit communication with
their diplomatic and military repre-
sentatives in China with a view to
determining the exact condition of
affairs from their own point of view
before undertaking to make any re-
ply to so important proposition as
that involved in the American me-
morandum. Owing to the Interrupt
ton of telegrahic communication be-
tween Pekin and Tien Tsin it is be-
lieyfd here that some days may elapse
before final answers are received.
Officials are watching with interest
the editorial comment of the En-
ropean press as induces of the senti-
ment prevailing in the various coun-
tries Of Europe. No cablegrams from
China were given to the press by any
Of the departments yesterday. Act
ing Secretary Adee was at the state
department during the day but he
said last night that no kilograms of
consequence had been received, The
interruption of communication with
Pekin is presumably responsible in
part for this as some days have now
elapsed since any word was received
from Mr.. Conger. Mr.. WI, the Chi
nese minister, still remains at Cape
May, but at the legation it was said
there had not been a dispatch received
during the day., The latest word con-
corning Ii Hung Changes whereabouts
was contained in the Associated
press cable from Shanghai last night,
stating that he was still there. The
report that the foreigners there gen
orally discredited him was read with
interest in diplomatic circles. The
suspicion of his motives there seem
to be shared by many of the diplo-
mats here.
An interesting bit of information
regarding the empress dowager came
to Washington in roundabout way
yesterday. II was to the effect that
the British government had received
word that the empress was going
from Tyan Flu, in the province of
Shanai, to which place she had fled
after her escape from Pekin, to
Hsnan Flu. Tyan FL is farther west
than Hainan Flu, indicating that she
is moving still further away from
the Chinese capital. The report says
nothing of the emperors movements.
1t is suggested as possibility that
he may have left her encourage and
that he may have decided to remain
where he is or to return to Pekin.
His return to the capital city would
probably completely change the sit
uation. He belonged to the progress
sive party before he was compelled
to sign the imperial rescript of 1898
and If restored to power peace nego-
tiations would undoubtedly be ia
ciltated. The powers would have
more confidence in him than in the
, reactionary party. Despite the EN-
press coup of two years ago, diplo-
mats here familiar with Chinese af-
fairs say the Chinese people regard
him as their rightful ruler.
The government officials appar-
emily are not concerning themselves
over the situation at Annoy, notwith-
| standing the press reports that great
numbers of the Chinese are leaving
because of the fear of impending
trouble. Consul Goodnow at Shang-
hal has reported to the state depart
ment that the incident, referring to
the landing of marines by the Japan.
csc there, was closed and this presum-
ably has satisfied the officials here.
London, Sept. 3.-The publication
of the text of the Russian proposals
has intensified rather than diminished
the suspicious entertained by En-
| pland of Russia's nroceedinps The