The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-31

Russia's Peace Proposal and the Uni
ted States Acceptance.

Russia's Peace Proposal and the Uni
ted States Acceptance.
Washington, Aug. 3L-The state de-
partment has just made public the text
OF the Russian proposal and its own re-
Spouse as follows:
Chinese correspondence, August 2S-s,
Purposes of Russia in China.
Telegraphic instruction sent to the
representatives of the United States in
Berlin, Vienna, Paris, London, Rome,
Toxic and St. Petersburg:
Department of State, Washington
August %, 1900.-The Russian charge
yesterday afternoon made to me an oral
statement respecting RusSia's purposes
in China, to the following effect: mat
as already repeatedly declared Russia
hasno designs Of territorial acquisition IN
China; that equally with other powers
now operating there Russia has sought
safety of legation at Pekin and to help
the Chinese government to repreSS the
troubles; that, incidentally to necessary
defensive measures on Russia border,
Russia has occupied Nieuchwang for
military purposes and, as soon as order
is re-established will retire troops there
from if action of other powers be no
obstacle there to say that the purpose
for which the various governments have
cO-Operated for relief of legations IN
Pel1in has been accomplished; that, tax
ing the position that, as the Chinese
government has left Pelx1n there Is no
need for her representative to remain,
Russia has directed Russian minister to
retire with his official personnel from
China; that the Russian troops will like
wise be withdrawn; and that when the
government of China shall regain the
reinS of government and afford an au-
thOrity with which the other powers can
deal and will express desire to enter into
negotiations the Russian government
will also name its representative. Hold
ing these views and purposes, Russia
expresses hope that the United States
vii 81 IL OnfniOn-
To this declaration our reply has been
made by the following memorandum:
Memorandum in response to the Rus
sian charges oral communication, made
on August %, to the acting secretary OF
state, touching the purposes of Russia
in China:
The government OF the United States
receives with much satisfaction the re-
iterated statement that Russia has no
designs of territorial acquisition In
China and that, equally with the other
powers now operating in China, Russia
has sought the safety of her legation
in Pei1in and to help the Chinese govern
ment to repress the existing troubles.
The same purposes have moved and Will
continue to control the government OF
the United States and the frank declara-
lions Of Russia in this regard are in
accord with those made to the United
States by the other powers All the pow
ers, therefore, having disclaimed any
purpose to acquire any part of China,
and now that adherence thereto has been
it ought not to be difficult by concurrent
action through negotiations to reach an
amicable settlement with China by
which the treaty rights of all the powers
will be secured for the future the open
door assured, the interests and property
of foreign citizens conserved, and full
PREPARATION made for wrongs and injuries
suffered by them.
So far as we are advised, the greater
part OF China is at peace and earnestly
desires to protect the life and property
~-7T Of he.
provinces active and successful efforts
to suppress the boxers have been taken
by the viceroys to whom we have ex-
tended encouragement through our con-
Euls and naval officers.
The present good relation should be
promoted for the peace of China
While we agree that the immediate
object for which the military forces of
the powers have been cooperating, viz:
The relief of the ministers at Pekin has
been accomplished, there still remains
the other purposes which all the powers
have in common, which are referred to
charge and which were specifically
enumera ted in our note to the powers of
July 3. These are: To afford all posi-
BILE protection everywhere in China to
foreign life and property; to guard and
protect all legitimate foreign interests;
to aid in preventing the spread of the
disorders to other provinces of the en-
pire, and a recurrence of such disorders;
and to seek a solution which may bring
about permanent safety and peace to
China, preserve Chinese territorial and
administrative entity, protect all rights
guaranteed by treaty and international
law to friendly powers and safeguard for
the world, the principle of equal and i'm
partial trade with all parts of the Chi
nese empire. In our opinion these pur-
poses could best be attained by the joint
occupation of Pekin until a definite IN
Outstanding between the powers until
the Chinese government shall have been
re-established and shall be in a position
to enter into new treaties with adequate
provisions for reparation and guarantees
of future protection. With the eStab-
lishment and recognition Of such author
ity, the United States would wish to
withdraw its military forces from Pekin
and remit to the processes of peaceful
negotiation our just demands.
We consider, however, that a contin-
ued occupation of Pelxin would be inef-
4ective to produce the desired result, IN
less all the powers unite therein with en-
tire harmony of purpose. Any power
which determines to withdraw its troops
from Pelxin will necessarily proceed
thereafter to protect its interests in Chi
ma by its own method, and we think that
this would make general withdrawal
expedient. As to the time and manner
of withdrawal, we think that in view of
the imperfect knowledge of the military
situation resulting from the Interrupt
tons OF telegraphic communication, the
several military commanders at Pekin
should be instructed to confer and agree
together upon the withdrawal as a con-
certed movement, as they agreed upon
the advance.
The result of these considerations is