The suburban citizen., 1900-10-13

Secretary Hay, in Reply Go Germany Con-
cerning Punishment of the Guilty Chin
csc, Says United States Government
Agrees with Germany that Chinese Em-
peror's Edict is n Step Toward Peace.
Washington (SpeciaD The Depart
ment of State made public the cores
pondence between Germany and this
government relative to the punish
ment of the responsible authors OF the
Chinese outrages. The notes are in
teresting principally as indicating how
the abandonment of the impossible
demands of Emperor William has
made possible a distinct rapprochement
between the German government and
the United States. Secretary Hays
reply to the German inquiry shows
that this government finds Germanys
present attitude entirely reasonable
and acceptable.
Tho text of the second note of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Won
Buelow, to the powers is as follows:
"The imperial government is inform
ed of an edict of the Chinese Emperor
by Sheng, the taotoi of Shanghai,
whereby the punishment is ordered OF
number Of princes and dignitaries
named for having supported the Box
ers. The imperial government assumes
that all the other cabinets concerned
have received a similar communica-
tion. Accepting the authenticity Of the
edict, on which we, for our part, do
not wish to cast a doubt until evidence
IS received 10 the contrary, we can per-
ceiye in it the first sign towards
practical basis for the establishment
of an orderly state of things in China.
The imperial government, therefore,
proposes that the powers came to an
agreement to instruct their diplomatic
representatives in China to examine
and give their, opinion on the following
points:
"First-Whether the list contained
in the edict of persons to be punished
is sufficient and correct?
Second--Whether the punishments
proposed meet the case?
'Third-In what way the powers can
control the carrying out of the penal
ties imposed?"
Memorandum in response to the in
quiries made of the Secretary of State,
October e. 1900, by the imperial Ger
man Charge d'Affaires, touching the
Chinese imperial edict in regard to the
punishment Of Prince Tuan and other
high Chinese officials.
The Chinese Minister communicated
to the Secretary of State on the "a
instant a telegram received by him
from Director General Sheng convey
ing the purport of an imperial edict
dated September 25, 1900, by which the
degradation and punishment OF Prince
Tuan and other high Chinese officials
is decreed
The government of the United States
is disposed to regard this measure as
a proof Of the desire of the imperial
Chinese government to satisfy the
reasonable demands of the foreign
powers for the injury and outrage
which their legations and their ma
tionals have suffered at the hands of
evil-disposed persons in China; al
though 1t has been thought well, in
view of the vagueness Of the edict In
regard to the punishment which some
of the inculpated persons are to re-
ceive, to signify to the Chinese Min
lster the Presidents view that 1t would
be most regrettable If Prince Tuan,
who appears, from the concurring tes-
timony of the legations in Pekin, to
have been one of the foremost In the
proceedings complained of, should es-
cape such full measure OF exemplary
punishment as the facts warrant, or, II
Kang vi and Chao Shu Chiao should
receive other than their just deserts.
With view to forming judgment
IN these points, the United States Min
lister in Pekin has been instructed to
report whether the edict completely
names the persons deserving chastise-
ment; whether the punishments pro-
posed accord with the gravity of the
crimes committed; and in what man
ner the United States and the other
powers are to be assured that satisfac-
tory punishment is inflicted.
It is hoped that Mr. Conger's replies
to these interrogatories will confirm
the government of the United States
in the opinion which 1t now shares
with the imperial German government
that the edict in question is an i'm
portant initial step in the direction
of peace and order in China.
Department of State, Washington,
October 3, 1900.
Concerted action by the powers in
China is thus apparently again made
possible, 80 far as peace negotiations
are concerned There seems no good
reason to doubt the sincerity of the
Chinese Emperor in his desire for
peace, at the expense Of the heads Of
Prince Tuan and Others. II need be.
storms Cause nurther Loss.
Fort Worth, Texas (Special) .--Loss-