The Topeka state journal., 1900-08-30
ENGLAND NON-COMMITTAL.
Has Neither Recognized Nor Repudi-
ated Lii Hung Chang.

neither definitely consented nor declined
to conduct negotiations through Lii Hung
Chang. In principle Lord Salisbury is
by no means upfayorable to the recogni-
ton of the yiceroy as plenipotentiary,
provided he can produce satisfactory
credentials and give guarantees that
any engagements made by him could
be regarded as binding on the govern
ment of China. 1t is not forgotten here
that in his negotiations which led to the
Che Foo convention Earl Lii was again
and again coolly repudiated by the
Tsung-li amen after he had given the
British government to understand that
he had full powers to negotiate.
A good deal of interest has been ere
ated by the announcement of an official
organ in Berlin that no aggressive or
expansionist policy in China would be
regarded favorably by the German gov
ernment. This is taken in some quarters
as sign that the kaiser has abandoned
his militant designs in the far east out
lined in his recent speeches, but the ex-
planation is to be found in the attitude
of almost all influential German news
papers, outside the official ring, which
have given expression to a feeling of
alarm created in the fatherland by the
plunge the country into a series of
hazardous adventures in Eastern Asia.
This apprehension is not confined to
radical and socialist organs; it is freely
expressed by conservative journals and
even by some of those which usually
take up strong imperialist lines. A
parliamentary crisis and refusal of
supplies are openly threatened if the
administration persists in ambitious
projects opposed to the sobriety COM
mon sense and business interests of the
German people.
Nevertheless, we'll informed persons
here continue to maintain that there is
an understanding between the German
and Russian governments on the terri
torial questions Everything will be done
to facilitate a peaceful settlement with
the Chinese government and the retire.
ment as soon as circumstances allow Of
the allied troops. But Russia, supported
by Germany, will endeavor to assert the
right of those powers specially injured
by the recent Chinese policy to obtain
territorial compensation,
RUSSIA MOVING FOR PEACE.
London, Aug. 30.-Diplomatic circles
in London appear to be satisfied that
Russia has either directly sent circular
notes to the powers proposing the OPEN
ing of peace negotiations or has reached
an agreement with the United States in
regard to the basis on which the gov
ernment at Washington will take in
itiatiVe action. Russia may prefer the
latter arrangements on the ground that
the United States has no entanglements
like Manehuria, calculated to arouse the
suspicious of the powers. Nothing
definite, however, seems to be known at
the legations in London except Russia's
anxiety to end the prevailing conditions
as speedily as possible, though the opin-
ion is expressed that Russia believes, as
a preliminary to the negotiations that
the allied forces should eVacuate Pekin
and retire with their resident ministers,
Europeans and native Christians to Tien
Tsin, whence they can better treat with
the most responsible Cinnamon avail
able.
It is pointed out that though some
governments are inclined to recognize
Ii Hung Chang's powers there is a feel
ing in some quarters that 1t would be
more satisfactory to all concerned and
nese themselves could some representa-
tive prince belonging to the reigning
dynasty be found with whom to arrange
terms. IT, however. Ii Hung Chang can
secure any kind of credentials from the
dowager empress it seems to be the
opinion that his authority will not be
too closely scrutinized, except possibly
by Germany, especially if Ii Hung
Chang can demonstrate that he has the
support of the power of the southern
viceroys
MILITARY PROMENADE.
Washington. Aug. sO.-The state de-
cablegram from Minister Conger, re-
ceived this morning through the United
States consul at Che Foo:
''Che Foo, received Aug. 80, 6:44 a. m.
of State, Washington. Thir-
tieth, following dispatch dated Wednes-
day: More Russian, German, French
and italian troops arriving Imperial
palace will be entered August %. Mil
through it-afterward closed and guard
ed. Prince Ching is expected in few
days-Conger'
The state department officials say Mr..
Fowler's predatory statement that Mr..
Conger's dispatch is dated yesterday"
(August 29) probably refers to the Taku
date line Git being necessary to send 1t
through that place. on the message as
by him at Che Foo. They do
not think it means that it was dated
Pekin. August g.
CHINESE MINE THE RIVERS.
Victoria, B. c.. Aug. 30.-Mail advices
from China report that torpedoes have
near Foo Chow and that wOrkmen in en-
1eavoring to move one which had stuck
IN the ground caused an explosion which
killed 80.
A New Chwang correspondent of the
Kobe Herald, under date of July 26,
charges Russians with having wantonly
attacked Chinese near there. the latter
being engaged = peacefully patrolling
the outskirts.
Documents found at Tien Tsin show
that the viceroy there supplied the box
ers with food, money clothes and other
wise showed that the Chinese govern
ment is in league with them.
The Russians are said to have looted
four million taels in silver from the Tien
Tsin treasury for which no account can
be given further than that 1T was dis
patched to the coast on carts
RUMORS OF BIG BATTLE.
London, Aug 30.-Amid the growing
difficulties of the Chinese imbroglio. Mr.
Broderick's emphatic declaration at
last evening proves that
the British government does not yet
see any cause to depart from the line of
policy originally decided upon, namely,
to take no responsibility for the ad-
of China.
Mr. Broderiek said he hoped it would
hQ al that the R0VRFnmant
was pusillanimous in this respect. It's
object was to maintain British Interests.
1t was quite ready to take its share
of the white mans burden, but could
not admit that the nature of the burden
should be dictated to it by the yellow
man.
Hence" the Morning Post observes,
''is where the difficulty of selecting a
policy come in We can not decamp
and leave the powers to settle the mat
ter hefWaen them y