The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-04
NO ANSWER RECEIVED
TO RUSSO-AMERICAN PROPOSAL FROM
EUROPEAN POWERS
ALL FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS
Depend Upon the Answers to That
Proposition -Russia's Proposal Was
Only to Evacuate Pekin-Gelerally
Believed the Powers VIII Assent-If
Russia, America and Japan With
draw Their Forces the Other Powers
Will be Compelled to do the same

Washington, September 1.-The en-
tire course of negotiations on the Chi
nese question is now dependent upon
the responses of the powers TO The
Russo-American proposal. 1t was
stated authoritatively at the close of
official hours today that no answers
had been received from any source,
other than those of a preliminary and
1nconclusive character. heretofore an
nounced. Moreover. it is stated by re-
sponsible administration officials that
not until the last answer is received
will the negotiations assume any def
mite form, as the last answer may
prove to be dissent from an inter-
national accord toward which all ef-
forts are now bending.
Much interest was aroused today by
the dispatch from st. Petersburg, CIV
ing the full text of the Russian p1opo-
sal. as it cleared up some disorepan-
cies which had existed, owing to the
oral nature of the communities ton
made to this government by the Rus
sian charge. By far the most impor-
tant correction it makes is in disclos-
Ing that Russia has not ordered her
minister and troops to withdraw
from China, as was stated in the
American paraphrase Of the proposal,
but that she intends to recall NJ. de
Giers and his staff "to Tien Tsin.
whittier they will be accompanied by
the Russian troops" In short, Russia
has not announced a purpose TO with
draw from China, but only from Pc
| kin.
A.
| view is strengthened among f.cials
| that the Russo-American plan of with
| drawing from Pekin ultimately viii be
| concurred in by all of the powers.
In diplomatic quarters this outcome
| is looked upon as practically assured.
| It is pointed out that if the Rus sian.
| American and japanese troops are
Withdrawn from Pekin the other pow
| ers would not have 5000 men remain
| ing there, which would be d rorce ut
| terly inadequate to garrison and de-
| fend the capital. The British force now
| 1t Pekin is said to number $500 men
| and the. German force is only a few
| hundred. On the other hand. the Rus
| sian and Japanese contingents arc
| very large, and with their withdraw
| the main strength of the allies a. Pc
| kin would be taken away. AS d mat
| ter Of necessity, therefore, it is held
that the withdrawal Of the larger
| of Great Britain and Germany to
| leave at the same time.
| The brief answer which Germany
has already made to this government
states that any general consideration
Of the proposition will be dependent
upon inquiries as to the condition Of
| affairs at Pekin. These inquiries are
now in progress through the German
officials at the Chinese capital. and
| their responses are expected to form
| the basis of Germany's general an
| swer.
Those in position to take an intelli-
| gent view of Germany's course say
there is little doubt Of Germany's ac-
| ceptance. One Of the chief reasons set
forth for this course is that. after all.
| Germany's accord with Russia and
other continental nations is Of primary
| Importance, whereas the holding Of
Pekin is Of secondary importance.
| The course Of the British govern
ment is being awaited with keen inter-
| est, not only for it's effect upon the
| present question, but because of the
part it will have in maintaining the ac-
cord between the powers. There Is q
noticeable feeling among some OF the
| foreign representatives mere that Great
Britain will decline to accept the plan
| and thereby will become isolated from
| the rest of the powers. In this connec-
1
| compared to that at the close Of the
| Japan-China war, when Russia, Ger
many and France formed a triple al
| lance which practically determined the
| results of the conflict. The issue at
| that time was as to Japan's holding
Chinese territory, particularly the Lao
| Tung peninsula. Great Britain de-
clined to intervene. and to a certain
| extent became isolated, while Russia,
| Germany and France, by their united
action, made it imperative that the
| peace settlement should be on the ba-
sis Of Japan's eventual withdrawal
from the mainland Of Asia. 1t was
remarked today in a we'll posted diplo-
matte quarter that Great Britatn's hes
itation at this time might bring about
repitition Of the Japan China alliance.
In which event, the opinion was ex-
| pressed, British influence in the far
east would be shaken materially If not
entirely broken.