The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-11-23
Would Make That Condition Of
Continuing Negotiations.
AMERICA NOT REvENGEFUL
Narratives Of Awful Experiences and Mlrae-
uIous Preservation Of the Green
Party Who Were csptiyes
Of the Boxers.

a special from Washington TO the Her
aid. Minister Conger's dispatch to Sec
retary Hay asserting his belief that the
punishment Of Chinese leaders imposed
by the decree issued by the Chinese
government is not adequate Is opposed
to the opinion held by the president and
secretary Of state.
Another important development In
the situation is that Germany has pro-
posed that as a condition TO continuing
the negotiations China be compelled t.
execute the eleven princes and officials
alleged to be responsible for the Chi
nese Outrages. This condition is very
distasteful to the administration. which
is expected to take steps to secure its
modification.
Mr.. Conger's message was in response
to an inquiry from Secretary Hay sent
Immediately after the presentation Of
the decree to this government by Min
lister WI. The SECRETARY cabled that
the United States did not intend to pur-
sue a policy Of Vengeance but stated
that because Of Mr.. Congers experience
the president necessarily left In his
hands the determination Of whether the
punishment imposed were adequate.
Secretary Hay also urged him to take
into full consideration the attitude OF
the Chinese and the ability Of the i'm
perial government TO carry out more
severe sentences.
II is evident to the officials that the
siege through which Mr.. Conger and
other ministers went last summer has
angered them against the Chinese and
caused them to be foremost in demand
ing blood expiatlon. In the hope Of
deterring Mr.. Conger from any ideas
OF vengeance W. W. ROckhill was sent
to Pekln as his advisor. 1t is an open
secret that the authorities would have
preferred the reference of the negotia-
tons to commission formed Of COM
missioners. three in number. appointed
by each power. but this plan failed Of
accomplishment
The proposal Of Germany that the
continuance Of negotiations depend up
on the execution Of the princes and Off
cials thought responsible for the OUT
RACES is another form OF the PROPOSE
tlons submitted to the Washington gov
eminent several weeks ago by Baron
Won Sternberg. then German charge
daffaIres Germany proposed at that
time. as q condition precedent 10 nego-
tiation, the Chinese government be COM
PEELED to surrender the first and real
perpetrators Of the crimes committed
against international law"
The response Of the United States was
that ii could not join in a demand Of
this character. that China should be
afforded an opportunity to punish the
criminals and that provision for their
punishment should be made in the ne
gotiations for a final settlement. The
president is considering the new Ger
man proposal and he will probably de-
cline to agree to it. suggesting mod
ification that may lead to satisfac-
tory solution.
An official said that as some Of the
men condemned by the ministers are
powerful princes and officials control
ling Chinese forces. it is plain that un-
less the imperial government, desirous
of carrying out the ultimatum Of the
foreign representatives. is able to ar
rest the culprits quickly. they are Ike
ly TO combine in their own defence.
The possibility is suggested that they
might kill the emperor. Such an act
WOULD be signal for an anti-foreign
outbreak all over China and would have
consequences which the authorities hes
itate TO contemplate.