Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-12
THE American ANSWER
70 --LATEST FRENCH NOTE.
1T is GENERALLY FAVORABLE AND
IN MOST FEATURES AGREES
WITH SUGGESTIONS
as TO MILITARY OCCUPATION
OF CHINESE SOIL~-PRESIDENT SAYS
CONGRESS- MUST GRANT
AUTHORITY.

WASHINGTON. October 1.-THE
reply Of the State Department to the
French note relative to the basis of
Chinese negotiations was made public
late to-day. 1t reads as follows:
The Secretary of State to the French
Charge d'Affaires:
(Sent to Mr.. Thiebaut, October 10.
1900.
Memorandum.
The government of the United States
agrees with that of France in ~recogniz-
ing as the object to be obtained from
the government of China appropriate
~reparation for the past and substantial
guarantees for the future.
The President is glad TO perceive IN
the bases of negotiation put forward
in the memorandum of October 4th,
tne spirit that has animated b declar-
atoms heretofore made by all the pow
ers interested and would be pleased to
see the negotiations begun Immediate
ly upon the usual veriication of cre-
dentials.
1t may be convenient to enumerate
the classes of the memorandum and to
add some observations dictated by the
attitude of the United States In the
present circumstances.
/. The punishment of the guilty
parties who may be designated by the
representatives of the powers at Pc
kin.
The Chinese government has already
indicated its intention to punish a
number of those responsible for the
recent disorders. The representatives
of the powers at Pekin may suggest adj
ditions to that list when negotiations
are entered upon.
g. The continuance of the interdic-
tion against the importation of arms.
1t is not understood that this inter
diction is TO be permanent, and the
duration of it and the details of its
regulation seems a proper subject of
discussion by the negotiators.
3. Equitable indemnities for the gov
ernments, corporation and private in
d.viduals.
This is an object desired by all the
powers. The Russian government has
suggested Lnat In cases of protracted
divergence of views, this matter might
be commended TO the consideration of
the international court of arbitration
of The Hague. The President thinks
this suggestion worthy the attention OF
the powers.
4. The organization in Pekin of a
permanent guard for the legations.
The government of the United States
is not able to make any permanent
engagement of this nature without tho
authorization Of the legislative
branch, but in the present emergency
We have stationed in Pekin an ade-
quate legation guard.
5. The dtsmantling Of the forts at
Taku.
The President reserves the express
sion of his opinion as to this measure
pending the receipt of further informa-
ton in regard to the situation In China.
6. The military occupation of two or
three points on the road from Tien
Tsin to Pekin.
The same observation which has
been made in reference to No. 4 applies
also to this proposition. The President
is unable to commit the United States
to a permanent participation in such
occupation; but he thinks 1t desirable
that the powers shall obtain from the
Chinese government the assurance OF
their right to guard their legations in
Pekin and to have the means of unre-
stricted access to them whenever re-
CURED.
The President belives that the gov
ernments of France and the other
powers will see in the reserves we have
here made no obstacle to the initiation
of negotiations on the lines suggested
and he hopes 1t will be found practi-
cable to begin such negotiations at an
early day.
Department of State. Washington,
October, 10, 1900.