The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-31
EFFORTS NOW FOR PEACE
Washington Asks the Powers What
Course They Will Pursue.
SHALL EARL Il NEGOTIATE FOR CHINA?
United States and Russia Ask That He Be
Allowed to Communicate Freely with His
Government. Full Report of
Relief of Pekia.
Relief of Pekin.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated PresS.)
Washington, August 30.-The United
States Government having acted upon the
Russian proposition as to the withdrawal
of troops from Pekin, is now quietly
waiting for responses to the notes which
have been sent to our various repre-
sentatives abroad for presentation to the
powers. Several days and perhaps week
may PASS before all of these replies are
received. According to their formal ex-
pressions, all Of the powers are agreed
upon this one point; they do not desire
to enter upon a formal war upon China
The United States Government is trying
TO bring about this result. For the mo-
ment it finds itself side by side with
Russia, whose earnestness cannot be
questioned at this time. The object now
in view is to bring about a situation in
China that will admit of the beginning of
negotiations looking to the re-esitablsh-
ment of order and the cessation of hostil-
tiles and the insurance of protection to
foreign life and property. After that
the negotiations may touch upon other
questions that remain to be settled 1t
is with this object that Russia has sug-
gested the withdrawal from Pekin in
order that the Chinese Government may
resume the reins of power; for the Chinese
people, being guided by externals are not
likely to yield fealty to a government not
in possession Cf its own capital. The
United States Government has been ear
nestly championing the cause of Ii Hung
Chang from a precisely similar motive,
namely, desire speedily to rehabitate the
Chinese Government in order that it may
carry out its expressed desire to settle
the difficulties which have arisen. In
responding to the Russian note as it did,
the United States Government availed
itself of the opportunity of directly in
vating the remaining powers to indicate
how, in their judgment, peace negotia-
tions could be instituted This notice is
calculated to secure a full disclosure of
the intentions of the powers, if the in
quiry is met by them in the frank spirit
in which it was conceived by the United
States Government. The difficulty ap-
pretended now in reaching a settlement
lies in the intentional delay and procras-
tinua tion on the part of any power which
is concealing its true purpose and docs
not desire to avoid a formal war
The State Department is already en-
barrassed by delays experienced in secur-
ing responses to its note challenging the
production of objections to Ii Hung
Chang. 1t appears that much confusion
exists at Taku as to what actually had
been decided upon respecting the treat
ment of LII Hung Chang should he arrive
at that place en- route to Pekin The
reports of the naval commanders to t!.eir
home governments rather increased the
In ;o+o
miral Remey found it difficult to sift out
the facts in Taku. Now the State Depart
nlent finds the replies so far received from
Europe vague and unsatisfactory from
the fact that the various governments
appear to have different understandings
as to exact conditions at Taku. 1t could
not be learned from whom the replies
were received and which were missing,
but it can be stated that at present the
question as to the acceptability of Earl
Ii as an envoy and his freedom from in
reference remain unsettled. The advance
of the Russian proposition may reduce
the Importance of the other question,
for with the return of the Chinese Gov
ernment to Pekin the smaller matter OF
the personalities cf the ENJOYS and the
sufficiency of credentials could be speed
lily adjusted. Altogether the opinion
among the members of the Administra-
tion here is that the Russian move has
made directly for an earlier settlement
of the Chinese difficulties than seemed
possible few days ago.
Secretary Root in speaking today of
the Conger dispatch saying that Prince
Ching was coming to Pekin, said that it
was a favorable Indication. Prince Ching
is friendly to the foreigners and among
the most progressive of the Chinese Off
clals. 1t was also stated that conditions
seemed to be improved. So far no orders
have been issued directing the return
of the United States troops from China,
or their removal from Pekin to Tien
Tsin or to any other point on the sea-
coast. 1t is still the policy of the Uni
ted States as expressed in the note OF
July Sd to secure order in China. Ii
there should appear in Pekin members
of the ~-nese Government who are duly
authorized to organize a government, and
should do so with the prospect of restoring
order throughout the Empire, it would be
considered as a movement on the part
of China towards carrying out the de-
mands of the United States. This Gov
ernment might then consider the advisa-
bility of Withdrawing troops from the
capital especially if this action would