Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-10-04
CHINESE DIFFICULTY.
The Powers Getting Near to a Solu.
ton Of the Problem.
The FRENCH NOTE ON The SUBJECT,
Considerable Anxiety In Foreign Quarters
~ to What Answer the United states
Will Make-A Russian Force En-
gage Some Chinese.

Washington, Oct. A feeling OF
buoyant optimism prevails among Of
ficials here relative to the Chinese
troubles that warrants the belief in
the existence of sound foundation
based on very recent developments in
pending negotiations. 1t is evidently
the conviction among officials that a
rapprochement among the powers Is
near at hand. The encouraging out
look has been brought about very
largely by the harmonious sentiments
which have developed between this
government and Germany concerning
the course of future events in China.
Since the return of Secretary Hay he
has had several conferences with
Baron Speck Won Sternberg, the Ger
man charge daffaires, which have
been of such character as to show.
that the two governments are pro-
ceeding toward common end for
the solution of the entire difficulty,
Germany is understood to have
withdrawn from the position of in
sisting that the responsible authors
of the Chinese outrages be surren-
dered to the allies as condition pre-
cedent TO negotiations. In her new
note she has suggested that the min
listers in Pekin should be empowered
TO designate those whose punishment
will be insisted upon and that the
powers determine the character Of the
punishment.
The Berlin government received
several days ago the Sheng dispatch
giving the Chinese edict, punishment
OF Prince Tuan and his associates
This was accepted in the highest Ger
man quarters as sincere evidence
that China was disposed now to deal
with the responsible parties as their
offenses deserved making a peaceful
solution of the problem possible. The
outlook is more satisfactory than at
any time heretofore, not only for con
current action by the powers, but also
for u comprehensive settlement of
the entire Chinese question.
1t is expected, however, that the at.
tention of this government will be
turned within the next few days, to
some entirely new phases brought up
by the French note to the powers.
There is no doubt as to the accuracy
OF the foreign dispatches stating that
M. Delcasse the French minister of
foreign affairs, has addressed note
20 the powers proposing a general
plan of deaingwith the subject. This
note will undoubtedly be in the hands
OF this government by the time the
president returns and already there
Is considerable anxiety in foreign
quarters as to the answer the United
States will make.
There Is reason to believe that some
Of the continental powers do not view
all OF the French proposals with ia
vor, and that there may be renewal
IN this note of thc differences of views
recently developed over the German
note. So far as this government is
concerned, however, there is no reason
to believe the French propositions
will meet with dsfayor
Meantime plans are under consider
alton by which the powers will see
that China carries ont her purposes of
furnishing the guilty parties. 1t is
felt to be proper that the punishment
shall be carried out in such public
manner, either with the knowledge of
the foreign ministers or in their, pres.
ence, that there can be no question
as to the completeness Of China's rep.
aration.
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