St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-09-26
AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

AFFAIRS In ITlNA.
Washington. Sept. 24-By order Of tbs
president the state department has
made public the Chinese correspondence
between this government and the gov
ernments Of Germany and Russia and
Prince Ching Of China.
The forecasts Of these notes made in
the press appear to have been accurate
for, although nowhere in the text is ref
erence made to the withdrawal Of the
United States troops from China the off,
eial statement. issued by the navy de-
partment in advance Of the publication
Of the notes, bears out the prediction
that the government finally has decided
upon such material reduction Of its
military forces as viii amount 10 a with
drawaI Of the army as an offensive in
6trument. This statement from the
navy department, moreover, is full Of
Eignihcance Of a purpose on the part
Of the government to see to it that If
there is any subsequent attempt at ter
r!torial aggression on the part Of the
powers, who already have declared them
selves as willing TO abide by the ex-
pressed determination Of the United
States to refrain from selling upon
Chinese territory, then the United States
Is 10 lose no right or privilege which it
nov enjoys by such action.
The notes themselves are brief, con-
sldering the importance Of the topics
treated The Russian and Chinese an
swers. being IN the form Of diplomatic
memoranda, are short to a degree rarely
seen in diplomatic exchange But in
both cases being completely responsive
and favorable to the inquirer, they will
escape criticism on that score.
The answer to the German note is
carefully phrased so as to soften the
unqualified refusal Of the United States
government to make the punishment
Of the Chinese ringleaders a condition
precedent to negotiations. Also it IS
noted that, in the expression Of purpose
10 insist upon the ultimate and proper
punishment Of these offenders, the state
department goes far beyond the German
declaration on the subject. The an
nouncenent that the department intends
Immediately to begin, through Mr. Con-
ger. conferences with Ching and LII
Hung Chang, although distinctly mark
Ing the fact that these are only prelim-
inary TO final negotiations will have the
effect to force the other powers to an i'm
mediate determination Of their policies
in this matter.
Russia is informed that our minister
is to remain for the present at Pekin.
All the powers are informed that the
United States recognizes the sufficiency
Of the credentials Of Ii Hung Chang and
Prince Ching, and that it Is the purpose
Of this government to open preliminary
negotiations" with the Chinese ENJOYS.
This word preliminary" and the
phraseology Of the remainder Of the
notes concerning the negotiations, make
It plain that the United States has not
withdrawn from the concert of the
powers, and has not as yet proposed to
go ahead and negotiate on its own ac-
count
Instead, the United States is careful
to so announce its intention Of opening
such negotiations in the future as to ex-
tend an invitation to other powers to
join therein.
For the present. 1t should be noted
all negotiations are Of preliminary"
nature, looking toward the return of the
imperial Chinese government, and to the
resumption of it's authority at Pekin,
and toward the negotiation Of a COM
plete settlement by the duly-appointed
plenipotentiares Of the powers and Of
China"
Mr. Conger is authorized to center into
relations" with Earl Ii and Prince
Ching, but the real negotiations for
complete settlement" by the powers
are deferred to give the other nations
an opportunity to follow the example Of
the United States and appoint ENJOYS.
If the powers accept this practical
proposal Of the United States it is be-
lieved Seth Low Of New York will be
one OF the United States commissioners
to act with Mr.. Conger.