The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-09-01
POWERS DISCUSS WITHDRAWAL
FROM PEKIN.

/
ton of an hours recess, since 10 o'clock
| in the morning. The session was de-
voted to the consideration of the dip
lomatic problems which have arisen in
| connection with the Chinese situation
/ as a result of the position taken by the
| powers and eventuating in the forma-
ton of a document for transmission
! abroad. That this document is of su-
preme Importance in defining the po-
! sition of the United States is assumed
! from the prolonged and careful atten-
! ton with which it was prepared and
/ considered, but not glimmer of light
/ is shed upon it's exact character.
| All efforts to ascertain whether it
/ is in the nature of a reply to Germany
! or Russia or collective note outlining
| the policy of the United States under
/ the new conditions which have devel-
! oped since the relief of the legations
were futile The members of the cabi-
net pointed out the improperly of di
vulging the nature of a diplomatic
document before it has reached the
power or parties to whom it is adj
dressed One cabinet officer, however
expressed the opinion that it would
reach the public in a few days All
manner of speculation is being indulg-
ed in as to its purDOrt and contents,
but it is safe to say the secret will be
carefully guarded until the govern
ment considers 1t proper to divulge it.
Secretary Adee, who is an expert in
the phraseology of diplomacy, was
present throughout the session of the
cabinet and gave what assistance he
could in the absence of Secretary of
State Hay.
The st. Petersburg dispatch to Lon
don containing the assertion that Rus
STA almost Immediately will notify the
powers that she considers the relief of
Pekin legations as the final accom-
plishment of the Military task of the
allied forces, it was learned late to-
night, is the phase of the Chinese sit
uatiOn which is attracting the most at
tention from this government at the
time. This assertion inferentially car
ries with it the impression that the
Russian government is of the opinion
that the legations had been relieved.
that government should withdraw its
military forces from Pekin and thinks
the other allies should do likewise. No
official information along these lines,
however, can be obtained here. al
though the recent flying visit of the
Russian charge. Mr.. De Wollant from
Cape May to Washington is believed to
be indicative that a communication of
this character has been received from
the Russian government.
The withdrawal of the military forces
of Pel1in is a phase of the Chinese sit
uation to which our government has
not yet given no serious consideration |
believing the duty of the allies is to |
reach some common ground of under |
standing with view of opening nego-
tiations for the settlement of terms of |
peace with China.
The withdrawal of the military it |
is held, might be very properly a sub
ject of after consideration. The show |
of some authority of power in China to |
conduct peace negotiations, and the |
recognition of international obligations, |
it is insisted. must be the first step |
toward the adjustment of Chinese af-
fairs. The Russian proposition of the |
character reported from London would
not. therefore, it is believed, be favor
ably looked upon by this government
AS a result of the cabinet meeting of |
today a reply outlining This govern
ments attitude in this matter was
drafted at the state department and
sent to the American ambassador to st.
Petersburg and a copy furnished to the
Russion charge in this country
One of the best informed members of
the diplomatic corps, who is actively
uGSOlldlIOIlS,
today summed UP the international
complications substantially as follows:
1.-THE powers We're in complete accord
up to the time of the taking of Pekin.
But with that accomplished, the more
important question arose as to the flu
ture course of the powers in dealing
with China, and on that there is not as
yet any complete accord. Thus far it
seems plain that the United States OPP
q, ,NfI /
any move toward territorial extension
there, and in this position Russia and
France seem to agree. On the other
hand, while there is nothing definite
indicating territorial expansion vet the
have led to the belief that
Germany Great Britain and probably
Japan are not averse to course which
will bring about territorial divisions
within the empire.
1T was supposed Japan stood against
any division of the empire, but the
landing of Japanese troops at Annoy
cannot be accepted on the ground
that a Japanese temple has been
burned, so that it is the ac-
cepted view that Japan is at
least making ready to be in position
to share in any division of territory
which must come. The course of Rus
STA in taking New ChWang cannot be
viewed in the same light as the land
ing of troops at Annoy or Shanghai, as
this was for the sole purpose of pro-
tecting Russia's railway line and any
Interior territorial purposes have been
1isclaimed by Russia.
$50 far as Great Britain's purposes
are concerned, in the absence of any
declaration, the landing of
Shanghai is strong evidence that Great
Britain wishes to control the Yang Use
valley, which is the garden of China,
On the part of Germany, the doubt as
to her future course is due mainly to
Count WalderSee'S speech since the
,aking of Pekin This has indicated
hat he is going on an extensive cam
Daign and that the fall of the Chinese
capital was only to be the initial step
n a comprehensive programme, requir-
ng the presence of a large army. Just
What this means is not clear, but it has
1t least created much surprise in
and some other capitals.
THE differences over Lii Hung
Changes credentials are fold. One
rev, including that of the United
states that the credentials are accepta-
Die, another that they have never been
hown to carry complete authority,
While the third view is that the orig
nal credentials were valid at the time
siven but have since become invalid
through the fight of the emperor and
he empress dowager and the complete
collapse of the Chinese government
Fhe question of credentials does not
eem so difficult to deal with and viii
be solved to the satisfaction
# all concerned, but it is not clear thus !
ar that the powers can be brought
nto complete accord on a general pol
cy for the future of China Each APP
,ears to be waiting for the other to act
md on the part of some there is ira
itional disinclination to go into the
outlining of policies"
Most of the objects had in view by
he president when he made answer to
he Chinese governments appeal and
egan the campaign upon Pekin have |