The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-05
German Troops Said to Have Had "A
skfrmish with Boxers, and Jap
anese Clear Out Villages.
THE AMERICAN WITHDRAWAL
FIRST MOVEMENT PROBABLY WAS
BEGUN ON WEDNESDAY.
Missionaries Protest Against sDeser-
tfonv-Russfans Occupy Mukden-
The Days Other Details.
snec,al 70 tbe 1naianapolis Journal.

Spec1al 10 the Indianapolis JOurudi-
WASHINGTON, Oct 4--The diplomatic
triumph of the administration as to the
Chinese treaty negotiations is complete.
Germany has wholly abandoned her posi-
tion as to conditions precedent to the be-
ginning of negotiations. The punishment
of the ringleaders in the anti-foreign at
tacks is relegated TO its proper place.
Their punishment is to be imposed by their
own government, but ministers OF the pow
ers are to determine:
First-Whether the persons named by
China are the real Offenders, thus pre-
venting the Chinese government from pun
ishing a lot of nobodies, instead of the
guilty high officials.
nounced by the Chinese trial courts are
adequate, thus preventing the infiiction
of merely nominal penalties.
Third-To see that the punishments are
actually inflicted. thus preventing the Chi
nese government from letting any guilty
Official escape.
Meantime treaty negotiations are to pro-
ceed without the delay that would be en-
tailed If they were to wait upon the trial
AMI punishment OF the Chinese malefac-
tors
Never before has this government gained
so speedy and so complete a diplomatic
victory.
The State Department had no more dis
posed OF one OF the far-reaching move
ments. anent the Chinese situation to-day.
by delivering it's response to the first note
OF the German government, than it was
confronted by an even more important
proposition submitted by the French gov
ernment, and within half an hour formally
seconded by the Russian government.
The answer TO Germany covered the sub
1ect of furnishing Chinese Offenders, and
made known that the United States had
instructed Minister Conger along the line
suggested by Germany. These instructions
look towards making sure the various de-
tails outlined above and as set forth in
the full text of the note given below.
Aside from these specific purposes of the
note, 1T is regarded as important chiefly
In establishing the most satisfactory rela-
tions between the governments at Wash
ington and Berlin.
The Franco-Russian proposal takes a
much broader scope. and submits a pro-
gramme under which the negotiations for
a complete settlement can be carried for
ward. The French charge daffaires, M.
Thiebaut. handed the proposition to Secre-
tary Hay shortly after noon to-day, and
they held brief conference concerning
Ii. Half an hour later NJ. De wollant,
the Russian charge, arrived at the State
Department and handed to Mr. Hay a
note expressing Russian approval of the
propositions just submitted by France Mr..
Hay gave no formal answer to the two
communications. as they will go first to
the President.
The Franco-Russian proposition is un-
der four heads, namely:
First-Punishment Of the guilty parties.
Second-Interdiction OF the shipment OF
arms into China.
Third-Payment of indemnity to the
Fourth-sufncient guarantees for the
future.
In addition. a suggestion is made for
the establishment OF a permanent legation
guard at Peking: for the razing of the
Taku forts, and for the maintenance of a
line OF communications between Pekins
and the sea.
The impression here. in advance of action
on these propositions by our government.
is that they contain nothing essentially un-
fitting them TO be subjects OF considera-
ton In a final settlement. The difficulty
which is likely TO arise lies in the placins
Of proper limitations the scope OF each
head. This is particularly true OF the SUBJ
Jects of guarantees and. perhaps. OF that
OF indemnity. Still, as already suggested,
each Is undoubtedly a most proper subject
for discussion when the final negotiations
are reached. and therefore NJ. Delcasse's
broadest propositions. while likely TO- con-
sumo some time in reducing them to ulti-
mate and binding form. may be said to
have a fair reception awaiting them.
AS to the interdiction OF Importation OF
arms. the State Department already has
intimated that there may be a question as
70 its wisdom. and there Is reason to be-
lieve. also. that Germany will not view
that particular feature with approval But
there appears 10 be good reason to expect
that a middle ground will be reached by
combining the interdiction of arms To a
specified period. possibly to be fixed by the
time required by China within which "a
pay fhe indemnity. The chief objection to
the proposition Is in its being permanent
In its present form.
What the United States government par
ticularly desires 10 avoid is entering into
. programme that leLns In any manner to-
ward the maintenance OF a foothold on