New-York tribune., 1900-09-09
PARIS NEWS AND COMHENT.

Paris September s 1900.
FRENCH STATESMEN PUzZLED.-France is
In a dilemma. Russias proposition to withdraw
from Peking has resolved itself !ntu a problem for
her which French statesmen tackling very
gingerly The complete withdrawal from Peking
after careful consideration, is deemed not be
altogether in line with Frances interests and her
views 10 the best and most effective method
OF dealing with the Empress Dowager and her
clique of advisers France Is now forced to choose
between the she would rather adopt and
the policy dictated to her by the Russian alliance,
and French statecfaft has been devoted for the
last week to an endeavor to splice these two
ficting policies into a compromise which will not
jeopardize her friendship with Russia and at the
time will not prejudice her own position in
China. The suggestion. therefore, that while the
bulk of the troops be Withdrawn from Peking a
small International force be still retained in the
city comes a peculiarly acceptable idea to
France. Russia and Germany appear to be the
only serious stumbling blocks in the way of gem
efal acceptance of this compromise. the first named
desiring the total Withdrawal of the allied forces
and the latter Wishing continued occupation.
Should the proIsSsat fql through and Russia and
America withdraw alE1heir troops. France would
undoubtedly follow SUIT II would be too rude
shock to the Russo French alliance for France to
abandon her ally and remain in Peking with. as
her associates hef hereditary enemies. England
and Germany E9eU IPtench Government appre-
ciates the great aeienIeht of wisdom in the Mus
covite proposal. recognizing that continuance of
the present form of occupation would prevent early
and direct negotiations with the Empress Dow
ager. who fears TO return TO the capital and that
city would throw immense responsibility and labor
upon the European commanders They would
with its millions of Inhabitants all of whom are
arrange sanitary and Are precautions and an end
less list of other municipal details This would be
nationalities and languages of the army of
patton The provisioning of and keeping open
IN Peking during the winter, when the country is
snow covered and frozen, also presents problem
Another move which would Impel France to fol-
tho fact that the French forces would thereby
avoid remaining under the command of Field
French soldiers taking orders from German com
Srtx WeT 8q9 nong the pe6pe
MAR0LLEs's REPoRTs-An eye opener as to
the lack of accord between the various military
commanders in China is furnished by the report
of Captain Maroes who commanded the French
contingent up the time of the capture of Tien-
Tsin. Captain Marolles relates each days events
In the form Of a diary, in which appear statements
which Paris paper describes as tantamount to a
masked Indictment Of the Russian General Stessel
who with the obstinacy of a soldier executing an
order, it says. wished to win or to be beaten
alone. The result of this ambition the loss Of
hundreds of lives. Maroes, under date of June g.
writes:
Russians attacked the East Arsenal at Tien-1rsin
without notifying any one; but eventually the Ger
man and then the English contingent had to Co
operate, which was not agreeable TO them. 1t is
apparent that there Is no accord between the mill
tary chiefs.
Two days later Marolles writes:
The Russians made a reconnaissance on the left
bank, without notifying any one, when fusillade
began and the town suffered an hours bombard-
ment.
After recounting other Incidents Of the iso,stsd
aatIo of ba
eral stessel advised him that he would withdraw,
the next day the outpost at the railroad deuot
which was Indispensable TO the French concession
The next entry is dated July l. and reads:
The Russians evacuated the railroad depot at
Indispensable to protect the French concessions
the English concession, force Of japanese French
and English occupied It,
Mnrolles's report thus shows that there was no
accord, even between the French and Russians
ANGLO-FRENCH ACCORD.-The letter Of Ad
mrai Seymour to the French commander euogiz-
ing the splendid conduct of the French contingent
of his Feking relief force has created most pleas
ant Impression here, and has proved OF much
greater value in Improving the Anglo French rea-
tions than he could possibly have antcipa go IT
rekndlcd friendly sentiments which bore their
FIRST fruit this week the occasion OF the visit
of five hundred representatives Of the Pritisb
Chamber of Commerce to Parts The warmth of
their reception was noteworthy. There were many
prominent men among the delegates and at a bar,
quet given by the British Chamber OF Commerce
In Paris. at which NJ. Methnd Minister Of ttor,-
merce was vas. the snest Of h3nor, an Anglo-French
the Queens health and the diners reRtnnfin, bbSS
singing the "Marseillaise." The pre- IS comments
most sympathetic
THE MUsCAT INCIDENT CLosED.-what was
known as the Muscat Incident between France and
England, arising from the French claim, which tba
British disputed. to coaIing station on the coast
of Museat Arabia, is now finally settled France
hnving made good her claim. and telegram from
Muscat received on Friday afternoon announSed
that the hrst shipment had been landed M the
French concession " ''e
NATIONAIdSTs sNUBBED The Nationalist
Mayor and municipality OF Paris received n had
snub this week Taking advantage OF the Presi-
dential banquet offered to all the Mayors OF France
thoy Issued invitations TO reception to che MAYORS
at the Paris Hotel de Ville Instead OF an an
thusiastlc response. they received quite a number
OF uneompllmentary refusals from the Sncialsf
MAYORS lncluding the Mayor OF Lyons. the second
largest city IN France. The latter published his