The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1900-09-20
Washington Letter.
washington, September II, 1900.


now there are likely to eat their Christ
mas dinner In Pekin, SO far as can be seen
at present. It Is believed that the refusal
OF England and Germany to withdraw
their troops caused Russia to change It's
mind, and that 1t was because of knowl-
edge Of that change, although there has
been no official announcement, that this
government made promise Of protecting
LII Hung Chang, II he needed protection,
which makes 1t practically certain that
our troops will be kept In Pekin as long
as the negotiations which Ii and several
other Cinnamon are to conduct on behalf
OF the Chinese government, go on there.
Minister Conger has sent an important
communication concerning those negotia-
tiens, but the department of state declines
TO- give it out. 1t Is known that Mr..
Conger does not feel as much confidence
In Ii Hung Chang as this government
has exhibited, and he has probably sent a
word of warning as to the danger of trust
ing him too far.
oS0SA
soon after the opening of negotiations
with the Chinese the allies will split and
that each nation will endeavor to get the
best settlement it can regardless of what
tie others get. That is believed to be
the end that Ii Hung Chang is aiming at.
The number of those who believe that
Germany and Russia will in the end be
found acting together, and that both will
demand territory is increasing. 1t may
be necessary for Uncle Sam to show his
willingness to fight for his treaty trade
rights in China, If not actually. to fight
for them before the business is settled.
Several of his allies al his greatest trade
rivals, and the old gentleman has need to
be very wide awake to escape being
buncoed.
Mr.. S. Iwaumra, who is graduate Of
the Japanese Imperial university and chief
secretary OF the Kyota chamber of COM
merce, who Is making semi-official tour
of the U. s., with a view to increasing
business between Americans and Japanese
is now in Washington. He expressed
himself as follows as to what ought to be
dbne by the powers in China: "There are
two possible courses for the powers to
take in dealing with the future in China.
One is to make confederacy out of the
country with the different provinces as
independent states, like the German en-
pire. The second course Is to preserve
the Chinese empire under new rulers.
The formation Of a confederacy would be
o easy task for the powers, and they
would have to act as protectors and
general overseers all the time. II the
powers interested in China would stand
firm In the maintenance of the Chinese
confederacy, the things could be accom-
plished. The present dynasty has not
sufficient support nor popularity to main
tain its authority. Many of the ignorant
and seperstitious natives are led to believe
through the 'star-gazers' that the end of
the present dynasty Is near, and the multi
tudes look for new reign within short
time. A strong army will be needed in
China all the time, and Japan can furnish
this army If the other Interested powers
will come forward with the money"
Washington people have already done
much for the Galveston sufferers, but
they are to do more. Wednesday of this
week has been set aside as Galveston day.
Every theatre in the city will give bene-
fit performance, the entire gross receipts
to go to the relief fund, and there are few
persons in the city who will not contribute
something directly or indirectly on that
day.
Ex-Secretary and Ex-senator Carlisle
was in Washington on legal business for
several days, but all efforts to get an ex-
preston of opinion from him on current
politics were met by the smiling reply
that he was out of politics and had moth
ing to say at this time. Mr. Carlisle is
said to be rapidly accumulating wealth In
the practice of law.
The government Is being run just now
almost entirely by minor officials. al
though the usual vacation season Is about
over. One reason for this Is that the
president and members of the cabinet
spent more time than usual, owing to the
Chinese troubles, in Washington during
the past summer, and they are now get
ting come rest and recreation preparatory
to the winters work before them. An.
other reason Is that the political campaign
is now fully under way and several mem.
bers of the cabinet are in demand as
stump speakers. The president is al
Canton, presumably for rest, but the tele.
graph reports him as constantly holding
Important conferences with his political
friends, SO he evidently isn't there entire
ly for rest. Attorney General Griggs and
Secretary Hitchcock, both of whom have
had long vacations, are the only members