The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-09-12
CHINA MAY APPOINT
PEACE COMMISSION.

Washington, Sept 5-Withio the
last 25 hours the United States gov
ernment has received from It's repre-
sentatives at foreign capitals much
material information in regard to the
attitude of the powers on the Russian
proposal to evacuase Pekin These
give the general nature Of the re-
sponses made TO Russia by certain of
the powers. 1t is stated authorlta
lively tha. ii there was at any time
prospect of a serious international
ciash this has been very largely II
not entirely removed by the harmon
ious character of the communications
the several governments are making
The exact nature of the responses is
not made public by the state depart
ment, for there are yet some replies
10 be transmitted. aud until all of
them are in the negotiations are con.
sidered in such an incomplete form
shat they Will not be made public. 1t
is said, however, that the answers go
much beyond the tentative character
of those heretofore referred to, apd
are of a conclusive nature, so far as
showing the purposes of the govern
ments, although they may nos be
regarded ss conclusive in accepting
tor rejecting the particular PROPOSE
ton advanced by Russia. The re
sponses are understood to be rather
long and somewhat argumentative,
similar in this respect to the Amerl-
can responses This very fact is a
cause for copgrasulation among Off
cials, as they point out that there Is
10 disposition to treat she proposal
with terseness or in any manner to
give offense. but rather to bring the
powers together Oh a common basis.
On the whole. the general tendency
of the responses is to give entire
satisfaction here as to the course OF
the negotiations
The satisfactory progress OF the
negotiations along these lines has
directed attention to the personality
of the ENJOYS, who will likely repre-
sent the powers and China in the
final settlement. Mr Conger is re
garded as eminently fitted for such a
task Oh the part of the United States,
eupposing that each of the powers
interested in the Chinese problem is
10 have a separate and individual
representative Mr. RockbiIl's name
is mentioned as an alternate IN case
Mr. Conger does not care to remain
i1 Pekin, or to participate ln the set
.iemeDt.
If the present state of affairs in
China is protracted until the arrival
there of Field Marshal Count Wal
cersee, which should occur In about
ten days or fortnight. it is not to be
doubted that the government Of Ger.
many will endeavor to have all the
negotiations with the Chinese gov
ernment conducted through that
official as a representative, not of
Germany alone, bat of all the pow
ers urging the advisabiilty Of com,
bined action through one agency as
the best means of securing speedy
and generally satisfactory term'na
sion of the Chinese trouble
If there is any change in the militia,
~ situation sioce Gen Chafee's dis
patch. supposed to be of the 18th
u!timo, no word of it has reached
Washing,on 1t is understood that
disturbance and outrages upon mis-
sionaries continue in some of the dis
.ric,s outside oy Pekin 1t Is
believed bere-possibIy because of
these reports-,hat the foreign min
ls.ers in Pekn probably will enter an
earnest objection to any withdrawal
Of troops If their respective govern
men,s delay action upon the Russian
proposal unai. they have had q
chance 10 express their views.
The German foreign oaice appears
to De actively f'r,heriug tae negotla.
tioas for settlement Persons ike
~ to have correct understanding OF
Gesmany's attitude lock FOR the sug
gestion of compromise Of middle
course which will be neither an &C
cep,ance boz rejection CT the Rus
siau psopos.i, ba' vii! be s2ch sat
;sfac.ory middle gronnd ;ha: aiI toe
powers, including Russia, can agree
to it For instance, ii is suggested
that Germany with proprleiy might
suggest that a certain limit be fixed
! 30 the extent of the military detach
aept to be left at Pek;n, with an un
derssanding that each smsll detatch
ment coDfine itself to quarters so long
as peace and quiet prevailed in
Pekin, but be ready to act in case