New-York tribune., 1901-04-08

troops from Picking will necessarily proceed
thereafter TO protect its interests in China by
It's own method, and We think that this would
make a 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
uons of telegraphic communication. the several
military commanders at Peking should be in
'structed to confer and agree together upon the
withdrawal a concerted movement as they
agreed upon the advance.
NOTE GENERALLY MISCONSTRUED.
The most essential record bearing on the per
rnanency of American rights is the identical note
Of all the powers 10 China agreed upon at Pc
king on December 4, giving the 'irrevocable con-
ditions indispensable TO expiate the crimes COM
mitted and 10 prevent their recurrence" No
important state paper in recent years has been
20 generally mistranslated. misunderstood and
rnisquoted as this radical basis limiting the ne
gotiations 10 fix China's future. Following it's
lengthy preamble, il consisted OF twelve stipula-
tions, which China has already agreed TO. Ten
OF these were definite demands and two were
simply reservations. the latter being worded
especially in Difference 10 the well understood
and fully recognized desire OF the United States
TO reserve rights" which might might not
be necessary to exercise in certain contingencies.
and which the American Executive could only
enforce with the constitutional consent OF Com
gress as they implied a condition of war These
were:
seventh-The right for each power 10 maintain
a permanent guard for its legation and 10 put
the diplomatic quarter in a defensible condition,
the Chinese having no right to reside in that
quarter.
Ninth-The right 10 the military occupation of
certain points, 10 be determined by an under
standing among the powers In order TO main
tain open communication between the capital
and the sea-
The right reserved under Article VII, the United
States has arranged 10 exercise for the time be
.ng, and on March II orders were telegraphed
to General Chaffee 10 withdraw all his troops
,so Manila by the end of April, leaving at Peking
as a Legation guard company of infantry COM
posed of 100 men. In exercising this right the
zUnited States also implies that for the secure
maintenance of this guard the right reserved
,3n Article TX may be temporarily exercised, as
circumstances may require the exchange OF ofh-
GERS and men through expiration Of service and
rotation of station. There is due recognition
as well OF the fact that for q short time least
small detachments from this guard may be de-
tailed 10 insure free communication with the sea
in various contingencies. but under no circum-
stances is il anticipated that this guard will be
called upon 10 assist in the establishment of
permanent garrisons along the road to Tien-
'Tsin or New-Chwang, although IL is 20 be recol-
lected that the United States has fully reserved
ihat right in common with the other powers,
Whatever the majority of them may decide 10 do
QUESTION OF DESTROYING FORTS.
Article VIII Of the note. which is the last 10 be
settled. and with which the preliminary negotia-
'tions are expected TO terminate in few days. is
as follows:
VIII The destruction Of the forts which
might obstruct free communication between
Peking and the sea.
The United States believes that the simple dis
.snantling of these forts will accomplish all desir
able results, except in the case Of one Of the
Taku batteries. which impedes the free naviga-
ton Of the Pei-Ho and whose removal would
be advantageous to commerce. and it is conf
IDENTIFY predicted that this view will probably
obtain in the end. despite the majority decision
completely TO destroy all fortifcations. that
will probably be found TO be an onerous and use
less task after the work OF despoliation has gone
for a few months.
The nations signatory the identical note of
December at Picking and their relative impor-
1ance have a conclusive bearing upon the uues-
tions raised as TO the stability of the American
status in China. In their order of signing they
iare Germany. Austria Hungary, Belgium Spain,
the United States, France. Great Britain. Italy,
Japan, the Netherlands and Russia. The no
tiOn VIII not be seriously entertained by rational
persons that the United States is apt to fare
worse, for instance, than Germany, Austria
Hungary. Belgium, Spain. France, Italy or the
Netherlands. which through lack Of prepared
ness took absolutely no part in the military
operations resulting in the rescue of the Iega-
tions, though Germany and France have since
been active in punitive expeditions. which the
United States refrained from joining. The
United States has also maintained throughout
The winter powerful brigade at Pekng and
kept her largest war feet in Asiatic waters
while Italy has had few companies, Austria
Hungary a bare detachment of marines and
Belgium. Spain and the Netherlands have been
WHOLLY without force in China. Belgium, with
her large railway concessions and other inter
sests, expressed an intention last summer. at the
time OF the acute crisis, TO send four hundred
men 70 China as her quota in the allied forces.
but found from the powers that participation
son paper would be completely respected, so
she properly economical. The Netherlands sent
AN insignificant warship 10 Taku at one time.
tbut the government at The Hague was assured
fthat all her rights would be respected, and that
all she had 20 do was 10 supply minister at
Peking 10 cast his vote in the conferences.
Spain has been similarly treated, and under
these circumstances there ought to be doubt
as to the protection Of American interests, when
in every movement. diplomatic military. that
has marked actual progress, whether for the
irelief OF the legations the restoration OF order
or the preservation Of Chinese entity, the United
States has been foremost ia discharging its obli-
xations and preserving its rights.
PULLING MESSAGE FROM SQUIERs.
REPORT THAT RUSSIA HAS BROKEN NEGo-