Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-09
THEY SLOWLY TACKLE IT.
Muas Choose Between the Course They
Would Rather Adopt or Policy Dictated
by the Russian Alliance : II the United
States Accepts Czar's Proposal Franco
VIII Follow Suit Relying Upon Presi-
dent nIpKinley-The Death Of Chinese
Omoials- Order Restored at Annoy.
Copyright. 1900. by Associated Press


draw from Pelsin has resolved itself
into problem for her which French
statesmen are now tackling very gin
gerly. The complete withdrawal from
Pekin, after careful consideration, is
now deemed not to be. altogether in
line with Frances interests. France is
now forced to choose between the
course she would rather adopt and the
policy dictated to her by the Russian
alliance: and French statecraGt has
been devoted for the past week to an
endeavor to splice these two conflict
ing policies into u compromise which
will not jeopardize her friendship with
Russia, and, at the same time, will
not prejudice her own position in
China. The suggestion, therefore. that
While the bulk of the troops be with
drawn from Pekin n small information
al force be retained in the city comes
as peculiarly acceptable idea to
France. Russia and Germany appear
to be the only serious stumbling blocks
In the way of a general acceptance of
this compromise, the first named de-
string the total withdrawal of the al
lied forces and the latter Wishing
continued occupation.
WOULD FOLLOW SUIT.
should the proposal fall through and
RUSSIA and America withdraw all their
troops France would undoubtedly fol-
low suit. 1t would be too rude a shock
" the Russo French alliance for
france TO abandon her ally and remain
IN Pekin with. as her associates. her
hereditary enemies, England and Ger
many. The French Government appre-
c1ates the great element of wisdom in
inc Muscovite proposal, recognizing
tnat continuance OF the present form
OF occupation would prevent early and
greet negotiations With the Empress
Dowager, who fears to return to the
capital and that, moreover, the admin
1stration OF the affairs OF the city
would throw immense responsibility
ana labor upon the European comman-
ders. They would need to undertake
the proper policing OF Pekin, with it's
millions OF inhabitants, all OF whom are
now hlled with hatred for the foreign
ueNlis. TO arrange sanitary and fire
precautions and an endless list OF other
municipal details. The provisioning OF
anu Keeping open communication from
seacoast for big force in PeIxin dur.
Ing the winter, when the country &c
snow covered and frozen, also presents
problem OF extreme difficulty.
ANOTHER MOVE.
Another move which would impel
france TO follow Russia, If the latter
withdrhws her troops, is the fact that
the French forces would thereby avoid
remaining under the command of Field
Marshal Count Won Waldersee.
RESULT OF AMBITION.
An eye opener az to the lack of ac
cord between the various military
commanders in China Is furnished
by the report of Captain Marches,
who commanded the French contin
gent up to the time of the capture of
Tien Tsin. Captain Marches relates
each days events in the form of n
diary, In which appear statements
which Paris paper describes as tan
tamount to masked indictment of
the russian general Stessel, who.
with the obstinacy of a soldier exc
cutting an order. wished to win or
even to be beaten alone. The resuIt
of this ambition was the loss Of hun
dreds of lives. eMarelles. under date
OF June p, writes Russians attacked
the East arsenal at Tien Tsin without
notifying any one; but eventually the
German and the English contingent
had to cooperate, which is not agree
able to them. 1t Is apparent that
there Is no accord between the mill
tary Chiefs"
Two days later Marches writes:
1.-THE Russians made reconnoisa nee
any one, when fusilade began, and
the town suffered an hours lombard
ment."
After recounting other instances of
the isolated action of General Stessel,
he says on July 3 General Stessel adj
vised him that he would withdraw
the next day the outpost at the rail-
road depot, which was indispensable
to the French concession. The next
entry Is dated July /, and reads
The Russians evacuated the rail-
road depot at 1850 this morning. AS
the post Is absolutely indispensable
to protect the French concession, q
force of Japanese, French and Eng
fish occupied it."
Marolles' report thus shows that
there was no accord between the
French and Russians.
THE FRENCH CONTINGENT.
The letter of Admiral Seymour to the
French commander eulogizing the
splendid conduct OF the French con-
ttngent of his Pekin expedition relief
force has created a most pleasant I'M
preston here, and has proved of much
greater value in improving the Anglo
French relations than he could posi-
bly, have anticipated.
What was known as the Muscat in
cident between France and England,
arising from the French claim, which
the British disputed to coaling sta
ton on the coast of MuScat. Arabia, is
now finally settled, France having
made good her claim.
A BAD SNUB.
The Nationalist mayor and NUM-
aipality of Paris received o. bad snub
ehis week. Taking advantage of the
presidential banquet offered to all the
mayors of France, they issued invita-
lions to q reception OF all the MAYORS