The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-09-06
TROOPS TO BE WITHDRAWN
American Proposal Concerning Chinese Trouble
and the Russian Response.

estly desires to protect sile life and
property Of all foreigners, and in sew
eral of the provinces active and sue
cessful efforts to suppress the Boxers
have been taken by the viceroys, to
whom We have extended encourage
ment through our consul and naval Of
ficers. This present good relations
should be promoted for the peace OF
China.
While we agree that the inime-
diate object for which the military
forces OF the powers have been CO.
operating, viz:-the relief Of the min
listers at Pekin-has been accomplish
ed, there still remain the other pur-
poses which all the powers have in
common, which are referred to in the
communication Of the Russian charge
d'affaires which were specifically
enumerated in our note to the powers
OF July 3.
These are to afford all possible pro-
lection everywhere in China to for
eign life and property, to guard and
protect all legitimate provinces Of the
empire and a recurrence OF such dis
orders: and to seek solution which
may bring about permanent safety and
peace in China. preserve Chinese ter
ritorial and administrative entity, to
protect all rights guaranteed by treaty
and international law to friendly
powers and safeguard for the world,
the principles of equal and impartial
trade with all parts Of the Chinese En-
pire.
"In our opinion these purposes could
best be attained by the joint occupa-
ton Of Pekin under definite under
standing between the powers unit. the
Chinese government shall have been
re-established and shall be in posi-
ton to enter into new treaties with
adequate provisions for reparatlon
and guarantees for future protection.
With the establishment and recogni-
tion of such authority, the United
States would wish to withdraw its
military forces from Pekin, and remit
to the processes Of peaceful negotia-
tion our just demands.
1--WE consider, however, that con-
tinued occupation OF Pekin would be
ineffective to produce the desired re-
suit, unless ali the powers unite there
in with entire harmony OF purpose.
ANY power which determines to with
draw its troops from Pekin will neces-
sarily proceed thereafter to protect its
interests in China by its own method,
and we think that this would make
general withdrawal eXpedient. AS to
the time and manner Of withdrawal,
we think, in view Of the Imperfect
knowledge of the military situation,
resulting from the interruptions OF
| telegraphic commanders at PeKln
! should be instructed to confer and
| agree together upon the withdrawal
as a concerted movement, as they
agreed upon the advance.
THE result OF these considerations
is that unless there is such general
expression by the powers in favor or
continued occupation as to modify the
views expressed by the government or
Russia and lead to general agree
ment for continued occupation, we
shall give instruction to the command
| er of the American forces in China TO
withdraw our troops from Pekin after
due conference with the other COM
manders as to the time and manner Of
withdrawal.
The government Of the United
States is much gratified by the assur-
ance given by -.ussia that the occupa
ton OF Niuchwang is for military pur-
poses incidental to the military steps
for the security Of the Russian border
provinces menaced by the Chinese and
that as soon as order shall be re-estab-
lished Russia will retire her troops
from those places if the action Of the
other powers be not an obstacle there
to. No obstacle il this regard can
arise through any action OF the United
States whose policy is fixed and has
been repeatedly proclaimed.
ALVEY A-ADEE,
Acting Secretary
Department Of State, Washington,