Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-31

note to the powers for the withdrawal Of
troops from Pekin. Several days ago, in
anticipation Of anything like this occurring.
orders were sent to Gen. Chaffee under
which he could act in case there should be
a withdrawal of the troops of any power,
or the commanders representing the various
powers could no longer act in concert.
1t is further stated that no action will be
taken until all the powers to whom the
note was sent have responded, and even
then there is no disposition for precipi-
tated or hurried withdrawal. There Is no
information to the effect that the Russians
have already begun to withdraw. and 1t Is
not believed Russia will leave Pekin until
there has been some further definite under
standing.
1t is still the policy Of the United States,
as expressed in the note of July 3, to Sc
cure order in China. If there should ap-
pear in Pekin members of the Chinese gov
ernment who were duly authorized to or
ganize a government and to do so. with the
prospect Of restoring order throughout the
empire, it would be considered as a move
ment on the part of China toward carrying
out the demands of the United States. This
government might then consider the ad-
visibility of withdrawing troops from the
toward the pacification of China.
No Cancellation Reached.
The Chinese negotiations remain today
at the same point that they occupied yes
terday. 1t is stated that no conclusion has
been reached as to the last phase, namely,
the Russian proposition of withdrawal.
Also as to the proposition to recognize Ii
Hung Chang as an envoy, the negotiations
are at standstill
While this latter ratter is now of sec
ondary Importance, there is some reason to
believe that the way has already been
opened for it's settlement at the proper
time on the basis of the japanese PROPOSE
ton, which is to add at least three distin-
guished Chinese officials to the commission
to arrange for a truce The japanese pro-
posal was that Ii Hung Chang be rein
forced by Prince Ching and the viceroys
of the two great southern provinces-Nan-
kin and Hankow.
AS it is pretty we'll understood that all
of these three officials are pro-foreign in
their sentiments and strongly inclined to
make peace on any terms, the influence of
Ii Hung Chang even if sinister, would be
ccunteracted, and consequently his ap-
pointment as an envoy would be of less
Importance than If he stood alone as
China's representative.
The Japanese Proposal.
Mr. Conger's report that Prince Ching
is coming to Pekin may be regarded as an
indication that the japanese proposal
stands a good chance of meeting with the
approval of all of the powers, and that
China, at least, has already placed herself
in a position to act upon it. AS to Ii Hung
Chang's whereabouts, the State Depart
ment still knows nothing, but it assumes
that he is still in Shanghai. man of his
rank could scarcely conceal his movements.
It is pointed out that the foreign admirals
would find 1T an Impossible task to restrain
Ii Hung Chang from communication with
the imperial court. He could easily make
his way overland from Shanghai through a
country entirely outside of foreign occupa-
tion to Tai-yuan-fu, the capital of the prov
ince of Shensi, where the court Is reported
to have taken up it's abode. The same
route is also open to messengers between
Ii Hung Chang and the empress dowager,
so that 1t would not be easy to restrain his
freedom of communication.
No dispatches were received over night
from Minister Conger or any of the officers
Of the State or War Department from Chi
ma, except a short message relative to the
death of Lieutenant Waldron.
Japan's withdrawal.
The State Department had last evening
a message fromConsul General Goodnow at
Shanghai, but 1t consisted merely of re-
port by the consul general that the Japan
ese consul at Shanghai had conveyed to
him the same Information relative to the
withdrawal of Japanese forces from Annoy
as had been communicated to the State
Department yesterday by the Japanese le-
cation here
The action of the Japanese government in
withdrawing from Annoy it's forces which
had aroused the suspicion of the European
powers has done much to clarity the situ-
alton. By this disclaimer of purpose to
seize Chinese territory Japan has avoided
entering a wedge which might result in the
splitting up of the Chinese empire among
the powers. 1t now remains for Russia to
take similar action as to the Russian
forces at New Chwang, and, from the pri-
vate intimation that has been conveyed to
the State Department, Russia has assured
us that this occupation has been purely
military and temporary. 1t was necessary,
it was represented, in view Of the Interrupt
tion Of the Russian railroad in the upper
peninsula to seize upon New Chwang, to
supply by sea the Russian forces to the
northward, but within their own territory.
Delay of the Powers.
The difficulty apprehended now in reach
ing settlement of the problems in China
lies in the intentional delay and procras-
tination on the part of any power which is
concealing it's true purpose and does not
desire to avoid a formal war.
The State Department is already embar-
rassed by delays experienced in securing
responses to it's note challenging the pro-
duction Of objections to Ii Hung Chang.
1t appears that much confusion exists at
Taku as to what actually had been decided
upon respecting the treatment of Ii Hung
Chang should he arrive at that place en-
route to Pekin. The reports Of the naval
commanders to their home governments
rather increased the confusion in an inter-
national sense. Admiral Remey found 1t
difficult to sift out the facts at Taku. Now
the State Department finds the replies SO
far received from Europe vague and unsat-
isfactory from the reason that the various
governments appear to have different un-
derstandings to the exact conditions at
Taku. 1t could not be learned from whom
the replies were received, and which were
missing, but 1t can be stated that at present
the question to the acceptability Of Earl