New-York tribune., 1900-09-03
GERMANY WITH RUSSIA


day that passes brings Count Won waldersee
nearer the scene Of action There is no doubt that
the manner in which Russia has taken the lead
out or the Kaser's hands is rnortifying TO German
PRIDE But Germany owes Russia some consid-
erauon IN return for the Cars acquiescence IN
the appointment of Won Waldersee. Nervous
Russophobes here see in the whole situation an
elaborate plot against British prestige in the
Far East Russia. they say, has squared Ger
many by allowing her to effect partial recon
ciliation with France which has been the object
OF the Kaiser's policy for years. In return the
two Western military Powers are 10 support
Russia in settling the Chinese question in her
own way, which is not that of England. Ad-
vantage has been very cleverly taken Of Amer
lean anxiety to avoid extensive entanglements
IN China in order to induce the United States
10 support the policy of withdrawal from Peking
which must eventually end in stereotyping the
weakness in the Celestial Kingdom, to the uIti-
mate benefit chiefly Of China's powerful north
ern neighbor
This, however is very contecturaL The only
positive testimony 10 the views of the Russian
Government is to be found in the official memo
randum issued from St. Petersburg on Saturday.
The text Of this has been carefully studied in all
European capitals, but IL still leaves the situa-
tion in much obscurity. The general propositions
enunciated are obviously sound. Every one ac-
cepts the principle of maintaining q common
agreement among the Powers for preserving as
far as possible the existing Chinese constitution
respecting the integrity Of the Empire and es-
tablishing stable central government. But the
question is whether a hasty "scuttle" from
Feklng and the restoring without adequate
guarantees Of the Government of the Empress
Dowager will effect the desired objects
Meanwhile the allied Governments have to
reckon with the actual withdrawal of the Rus
sian Legation and troops TO Tien- -Tsn which
General Lenevitch has been directed to carry
out as rapidly as circumstances allow. The
British Foreign Office is moving slowly. and this
IS partly due TO the dtatoriness naturally caused
ny the fact that the threads Of the negotiations
pass through the hands Of the invalid Premier at
a remote Continental health resort At Downing
street the impression is current that the British
reply will insist that the retirement before a
definite understanding has been arrived at with
the Chinese Government would only lead to
confusion But It is not certain that Lord Sails
bury has vet abandoned hope that Great Brit
atn, the United States and japan can work
closely together for the solution of the China
question. and his attitude may be largely deter
mined by the information which reaches him
from Washington and Toxic One element must
not be overlooked. Even if the Boxers are sup
pressed, other Chinese secret societies are as
strong as ever. The whole Empire is honey
combed by these associations and in some prov
inces they form a real government t their
members are determined either to expel the for
etgners or TO overthrow Manchu rule the disor-
ganization Of China must continue Some Rus
sophobes here hold that knowledge Of this fact
is the true explanation Of Russias present ac-
ton.