The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1900. THE CHINA SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1900. THE CHINA SETTLEMENT.

For tho ca_3B t_.at lacks assistance, For tho vjt»__ that needs rcaistaaco, Far the faturo in tho di-tanc-, And th. good that _-_ can do.

The Powers have entered tlie tortuous labyrinths of diplomatic adjustment in the matter of the China affair. Who shall temerariously say whither they lead and what will be their eventual outlet? Up to the present, elements sufficiently discordant to jeop-

ardise the friendly relations character-

ising the advance on Pekin have not

arisen; at least publicly. But even in the present nebulous state of negotiations differences are sufficiently pronounced to give rise to a fear that they may crystallise into definite disagreements threatening the harmony necessary if Chinese affairs are to be placed on a satisfactory footing. Our information is so scanty that- it is somewhat difficult to estimate with any

assurance the trend of events. A week back we were informed that America was distrustful of the territorial •]

designs of Russia and Germany. That Japan shares the fear of the United Stales authorities with regard to the former, at least, the recent disposition of Japanese forces tends to show. Despite this fact, we are told that Russia, Germany, France* America and Japan are in accord in insist-

ing on the reinstatement of affairs as

they stood before the war, and, in

addition, the payment of an indemnity by-China. Later, the United States

approaches the other Powers in favour of peace on these terms; and, strange-

ly enough, this action seems associated with an assurance by Russia that the

Emperor (a nonentity), and Dowager Empress, had declared China's preparedness to protect American Interests, and prevent a recurrence of outbreaks. While this, in a measure, contradictory story is unfolding, a side issue develops in a, suggestion by the German press, apparently favourably received throughout France, that international control of the finances of China be established. Britain's , objection to

this proposal is very plainly voiced by the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr St. John Brodrick, who, speaking at' the Guildhall, very definitely stated that England could not undertake the government of China, either alone, or with the Powers, all she was desirous of being the protection of /trade interests. Then, to-day, we find that a sort of diplomatic bombshell is dropped by Russia. The Czar's Ministers have informed the United States that not only has Russia no intention of acquiring Chinese territory, but also that with the occupation of Pekin the mission of the Allies is fulfilled, and the Russian Minister and troops are to be withdrawn, pending the establishment of a stable Chinese

Government. It is truly a most extraordinary interpretation of the task the Powers set out unitedly to perform. Amerca is reported to have given the very careful answer that action has so far been in concert, and though the task cannot be regarded as completed, if there is to be withdrawal, it had better be the withdrawal of all the Powers. France acquiesces in the reply, Germany strongly opposes the Russian suggestion, and, though lacking definite assurance, we may take it for granted that England will support Germany in the fullest degree. These may be classed as the Western World scenes of the Eastern drama.

Of equal, if not greater importance are the developments in China itself. Here we find that hostilities are practically at a standstill. A great part of Pekin is a blackened ruin, and the Allies await the outcome of negotiations, not with the enemy, but among the Powers themselves. In the anarchic field one figure bulks large. Li Hung Chang, the Bismarck of the East, is heard of daily. We find him asking the Dowager for the arrest of the unscrupulous Prince Tuan, her

right-hand man in anti-foreign intri : gue, and for the disarming of the turbulent Boxers. These steps he recognises as necessary to pave the way for the initiation of a discussion as to a

peace settlement. Some days later Aye

find him suggesting the appointment of himself, the somewhat weak Prince Clung, General Yungfu, and the Viceroy of the Yangtse provinces, as peace plenipotentiaries. Then we are informed that Russia and Great Britain reply favourably to a query from America as to whether they consider Li Hung Chang's credentials as Envoy Extraordinary satisfactory. Sim-

ultaneously is received the news, through the French admiral in Chinese waters, that the admirals have decided to hold Li Hung Chang at Taku pending settlement of peace negotiations. And here arises a possible

cause of international dissension, for Russia and the United States are apparently inclined to resent the detention of Li Hung Chang as hampering a settlement. It is difficult to deduce the probable results from, a conglomeration of facts, or alleged facts, so conflicting. The chances of a great war in China, however, are plainly becoming more remote. The Boxers are incapable of

conducting a campaign, and the promptings of the bitterest anti-for-eign feeling cannot blind the Dowager Empress and her counsellors to the fu-

tility of attempting to stand out against the world. The time for an uprising of the Celestial is not yet.

In suggesting what looks like an unconditional withdrawal, Russia appears to be playing into the hands of the Chinese." With the departure of foreign troops we cannot but suppose that'the country would be given ovei- ) to civil strife and anarchy. We cannot believe that the majority of the Powers will agree to anything less than the re-establishment of order and the payment of a monetary indemnity before considering leaving the country. No other feasible settlement .uggest*_ itself.