The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-31
Will, However, Probably Accept Ii
Hung Chang as Chinn's Represent
ative to Peace Negotiations.
COMMENTS OF THE EDITORS
ON WHAT THEY CALL THE "RUSSO-
AMERICAN sURPRISE.-
Annoy I'm a State Of Panic-Chinese
Leaving and Thieves LoOting
Indiscriminately.

LONDON. Aug. 81, 800 a m.-The rus
so-American surprise" as IL is called, is
the chief feature of the morning papers.
While Russias part in the proposal is re-
garded with considerable suspicion, ii is
generally recognized that the flight of the
Empress dowager and the Emperor renders
the situation extremely difficult, and, there
fore, 1t might be wise to adopt the Russo
American programme as the best solution
of the problem. At the same time, very
strong feeling is displayed in favor of a
more vigorous line of policy.
The Daily Graphic says: 1.-The United
States are almost morbidly anxious to
wash their hands of the Chinese embar-
rassment. This has long been apparent
But it is rather surprising TO hear that
their anxiety is shared by Russia. With
the possible exception of Germany, there is
probably not another power that would se-
riously object TO the evacuation of Pc
king"
The Daily Mail observes: Probably Rus
sia, with the assistance of the United
States and France. hopes to dictate 10
other powers far Eastern policy insuring
the accomplishment of Russian designs,
which would be greatly facilitated by the
acceptance Of Ii Hung Chang as plenipo-
tentiary. The powers should refuse TO ac-
cept any intermediary or to evacuate Pc
king, which would only be interpreted as a
sign of weakness"
The Daily Express and the Daily Chron-
icle protest against placing any reliance
on the professions of Ii Hung Chang, or
of the Chinese authorities.
The Standard says: "It is not easy to
overrate the importance of the decision of
the United States. The desire of both
Washington and st. Petersburg to with
draw from Peking is very ineligible. Pub
| lie opinion in America is averse to foreign
complications while Russia has discovered
that conditions are not propitious for her
schemes of conquest. She lacks the neces.
| sary large army and wants the Transsiber-
ian Railway completed before she can
stretch her arms over northern Asia. The
powers must, however, retain their hold
| on the capital. Withdrawal, although not
inconsistent with the dignity of the Wash
| ington government. would be quite imprac-
| ticable for the others. 1t would be counted
as a triumph by the anti-foreign party in
China and represented throughout the en-
pire as due TO the cowardice of Europe"
RATHER STARTLING.
The Daily News says: Considering that
the Empress dowager openly encouraged
the attacks upon the foreigners. the sug-
gesticn that the imperial personages are
to return 10 Peking is rather startling and
| the latest development OF Russian diplom-
| acy requires explanation at least"
The Daily Telegraph says: Acceptance
| of Ii Hung Chang is almost the only thine
| the allies can do. His Intervention would
| undoubtedly make for peace. II is pretty
| clear that, unless statesmen can do some
| thing TO relieve the tension. affairs so far
as the military can deal with them. have
arrived at deadlock"
The Times makes no comment upon the
Russian proposals. The opinion is ex-
pressed in London that Russia believes.
as preliminary TO the peace negotiations.
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