The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-31
Asserts Ii Hung Chang Should Be
Allowed a Free Hand.
POWERS MAY RELEASE HIN
United States Are Favorable to
Russian Attitude.

Note Sent to All the Powers Urging
That Lii Hung Chang should Not BE
Detained by Naval Commanders at
Taku japan Wtthdraws From
Annoy and Russia Says Her Occu-
TempOrary-Some Difficulties An
ticipated.
Washington, Aug. 90.-The United
States government having acted upon the
Russian proposition, as to the Withdrawal
of troops from Pelxin, is now quietly wait
ing for responses to the notes which have
been sent to our various representatives
abroad for presentation to the Powers.
Several days and perhaps week may
pass before all these replies are received.
According to their formal expressions,
all of the Powers 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 moment it finds itself side
bv 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 ad-
nit of the beginning of negotiations look
ing to the establishment of order, the
cessation of hostilities and the insurance
Of protection to foreign life and property.
After that the negotiations may touch
unon other questions that remain to De
settled 1t is with this object that Rus
sia has suggesed the withdrawal from
Pekn. in order that the Chinese govern
ment may resume the reins of power
4or the Chinese people, being guided by
externals are not likely to yield fealty TO
a government not in possession of its own
capital.
The United States government has been
earnestly championing the cause OF Ii
Hung Chang from a precisely similar mo-
tive. namely, a desire speedily to reha-
bilftate the Chinese government in order
That it may carry out its expressed de-
sire to settle the difficulties which have
arisen.
In responding 10 the Russian note as
it did, the United States government
avaied itself of the opportunity of direct
" inviting the remaining Powers 40 In
dicate how, in their judgment, peace ne
gotiations could be instituted. This no
tice is calculated to secure full dis
closure of the intentions of the Powers II
The inquiry is met by them in the frank
spirit in which it was conceived by the
United States government.
Difficulties Ahead.
The difficulty apprehended now in reach
ing settlement lies in the intentional de
lay and procrastination on the part of any
Power which is concealing its true pur
pose and does not desire to avoid forna
war.
The State Department is already en-
barrassed by delays experienced in secur
ing responses to its note challenging thu
production of objections to Ii Hunl
Chang 1t appears that much confusion
exists at Taku as to what actually mac
been decided upon respecting the treat
ment of Ii Hung Chang, should he arrive
at that place en- route to Pekin. The re
ports of the naval commanders 10 thei
confusion in an international sense. Ad
miral Remey found it difficult to sift ou
the facts at Taku. Now the State De
parment finds the replies so far received
from Europe vague and unsatsfactor!
from the fact that the various govern
ments appear to have different under
standings as to the exact conditions a
Taku.
1t could not be learned from whom thu
replies were received, and which were
missing, but it can be stated that at pres
ent the question as to the acceptabilit!
of Earl Ii as an envoy and his freedom
from interference remain unsettled. Th'
advice of the Russian proposition may re
duce the Importance of the other ques
tion, for with the return of the Chines'
government to Pekin the smaller matte
Of the personalities of the ENJOYS anC
the sufiiciency Of credentials, could b.
speedily adjusted
Altogether the opinion among the mem
bers q the administration here is tina
the Russian move has made directly FOL
an earlier settlement of the Chinese diff
Heullts than seemed possible few day.
ago
Favorable Indications.
Secretary Root. in speaking to-day o.
We statemens In the conger dispatch say
ing that Prince Ching wds coming q
Fekin. said that II was a favorable in
"iention Prince Ching IL friendly 10 for
'isners and among the more progressive
of ihe Chinese oflcialf. IL was also stat
- that conditions seemed 10 be improv
~ So far no orders have been issue'
directing .ihe return ~ the United state
troops from CHINA. or their removal frog
feA'n 10 Tea TsiD, o. 10 any other Doin