The Portland daily press., 1900-09-01

Washington. August 3l.-The Russian
note relative to the withdrawal of Rus
sian from China and the United States
response thereto, were made public to-
day by the state department. after the
cabinet had fully considered the expedi-
ency OF so doing. The correspondence
is unique in the history of diplomatic
exchange. 1t may be said to illustrate
a clever move by which the United
States government has assumed the lead
In prescribing the policy OF the powers
respecting the Chinese troubles. Ihls
was accomplished by the state depart
ment avaiIing itself of the Russian note
to address to the powers an inquiry as to
their policies, an answer to which cen
scarcely be avoided.
Various meanings may be placed upon
the statements OF the two principals to
this correspondence. Thus, on the one
hand. it may be noted that while Russia
announces a purpose to withdraw her
troops from China, STILL as to the occu-
pying force as Niu Chwangs condition
is attached that almost negatives the
proposition as to that point. Respect-
inc our own attitude, it appears that,
while believing the best course to pursue
is to remain IN Pekin, our government
is still willing to withdraw. Perhaps
this means that If there is to be separate
action by the powers in China the Unit
ed States proposes to deal with the sltu-
alton with a free hand. 1t may be not
ed. in connection with our withdrawal
statement thas, whereas Russia proposes
to withdraw from China our offer is to
withdraw only from Pekin. A signlh-
can't fact in this conection is that Gen.
Chanee who is we'll advised OF the situa-
tion having several days ago been direct
ed to prepare for just such an emergency
as that precipitated by the Russian action
continues his preparations for wintering
the American troops in China. Indeed
unless the men are ahoat and out of the
Pei Ho within the next six weeks they
are likely to remain in China parforce,
being ice bound Gen. Chatfee was fur
ther advised today of the developments
in the situation compen1ious statement
OF the points in the Russo-Amsrican COR
respondence being cabIed to him for his
guidance.
AS bearing further on the prospects Of
the future it may be noted that the war
department officials state that the gov
ernment has not de cided the question of
the evacuation of China. 1t is scacrely
expected that even with the aid of the
cables a complete accord can be reached
upon this last proposition Immediately.
Up to the close of the official day only
two communications had been. received in
consequence of our last note, One was
from the British foreign office though the
American embassy stating that Lord
Salisbury was absent from London and
merely promising consideration for the
note. The German response was through |
Mr.. jackson and was equally inconclu-
sive indicating wish on the part of the
German government for time TO Econsider
the propositions. The officials here say
that they are satisfied that Japan at
least is fully In accord with our objects
as set out in the note and rather expect
an early answer from the government
of that country. France has not been
heard from on this point her last com
munioation relating entirely to the mat
ter of Ii Hung Chang status The ruIl
text OF the French governments answer
to LII Hung Chang's peace proposals Of |
August 10 and 81 has just been received
here, 1t proves to be almost identical in
language with the reply OF the Ameri-
can government which laid down as
preliminary to peace overtures that seoul
risy ia the Chinese capital and respon
sible government authority be estab-
Iished. Tt has developed in the course |
of the careful consideration whioh Ollie
ials here have given to Ii Hung Chang's
credentials tnat they were Issued by ths
Empress Dowager and not by the En-