The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-16
In the Negotiations With China
Has Returned Home.
He HAS THE PROTOCOL
Saw the Keys of Pekin Turned
Over to the Chinese.
Affairs Are Settling Down to a
Business Basis.

Victoria, B. c., Oct 16.-Mr. w. w.
Rockhill, the commissioner who repre-
scented the United States in the negotia-
tons between the allies and China, ar
rived by the steamship Empress of
Japan on his way to Washington He
has with him copy of the protocol be-
tween China and the powers which was
recently signed by the representatives
of the various nations interested. He
will proceed direct to Washington by
the Canadian Pacific railroad.
Affairs in China have resumed their
normal state, the CON missioner said in
an interview. He did not anticipate any
further outbreak but there was no tell
ing what would happen in China The
so-called instructions in Kan Su and
Manchuria, he said, were simply local
uprisings which had been very much
exaggerated Three hundred Chinese
troops entered Pexin on September II
and the keys of the gates We're handed
over to Prince Ching with elaborate
and brilliant ceremonies. All the foreign
troops were withdrawn with the excep-
ton of the legation guards and guards
at the railroad stations Since the Tien
Tsin affair there had been no trouble
over the railway from the coast to Pc
kin which is controlled by the British
in fact the commercial interests seemed
to be taking charge of the country and
a commission was being organized to
conduct commercial negotiations with
China. This commission will revise the
treaties and arrange for the opening of
more ports. The commissioner is of
opinion that the work of the commi is
sion will bring about a much better
state of affairs. The British and Chi
nese members of the commission have
already been appointed and the other
nations had been asked to name their
representatives.
Before Mr.. Rockhill left Pekin the
Chinese troops had commenced to po-
lice the city, The poor, he said, had
been benefited by the occupation, they
having been given work rebuilding the
legations and on other works at vases
which they had never dreamed of. On
the other hand many of those who were
well off before the occupation had been
rendered destitute as result of it, The
legation concessions had been greatly
increased and the British legation is
being built in the form of fort with
moat and guns mounted.
Mr.. Rockhill said he expected to hear
very shortly of the return of the court
to Pekin.
While missionaries were murdered and
tortured in other parts of China, Roman
Catholic missionaries had lived under
the protection of the court at Hsiangfu.
British officers and missionaries had
since visited the court and were very
warmly received.
Mr.. Rockhill says many people are
starving in the district in which Hsi-
angfu is situated, but the reports of the
famine in other parts of the empire
sent out to the press have been greatly
exaggerated. The famine is the result
of the failure of crops. Mr.. Rockhin
said that while Ii Hung Chang retains
his mental vigor he is breaking down
physically. He had a splendid appetite
but suffers much from indigestion and
high fevers.
The Russians are having considerable
difficulty on the China Manchuria rail-
way on account of the floods. They do
1nf nj lou ~ of a nT1S nj
the country but have no objections to
civilians travelling through Mr.. Rock
hill does not look for a boom when con-
ditions in China are again settled, but
says the trade will be enormous.
News was received by the Empress of
Japan of further rebellions in China
A pitched battle occurred on September
80 between the imperial Chinese forces
under General Tsen and a force of seven
thousand insurgents near Hsinho in Chi
Lii sixty miles south of Paotingfu. Thirty
rebels were killed, many were wounded
and the remainder fed. Several villages
were taken by the troops.
In Chouchou rebellion has also
taken place, and the missionaries have
of the rebels have been seized and be-
headed Missionaries also tell of
troubles in Kaingsi. Many letters have
been written to the North China Daily
News telling of the risings in the vi
cinity but giving few details
The North China Daily News reports
much military activity by Russia in
the north and states that a number
of troops have been sent south, where
it is believed they will be massed on
the Korean frontier.
The Japanese minister to Pekin, Mr..
Komoura, has returned to Toxic, and
in an interview he says that there are
10000 Russian troops in Manchuria.
He says as soon as the Chinese court
is established at Pekin the question of
the evacuation by Russia will be taken
up.
Russia has offered China five million
taels for her fleet of warships, accord
ing to the Shanghai Mercury. Many
papers print reports that the return
to Pekin of the court has been post
poned for two years.