The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-23
THUS WE ANSWER BERLIN
We Recognize the Authority of Earl
Ii and Prince Ching.
cONGER WILL NEGOTIATE WITH THEM
indications Are That We Shall Withdraw Mos
OF Our Troops From Pekn and Increase
Our Naval Force in Asiatic
Wa9orc
(By the Associated Press

CBy the Associated Press)
Washington, Sept. 22.-The State
Department tonight made public the
text of the notes addressed by it to
the Governments of Germany, Russia
and China in answer to inquiries from
them as to the attitude of the United
States toward various phases of the
Chinese problem. The forecasts of
these notes made in the press appear
TO have been accurate, for although
nowhere in the text is reference made
to the withdrawal of the United
States troops from China, the official
statement issued by the Navy Depart
ment in advance of the publication OF
the notes bears out the prediction
that the Government finally has decid-
ed upon such a material reduction of
its military force as will amount to
withdrawal of the army as an of
fenSiye instrument. This statement
from the Navy Department, moreover,
is full of significance of a purpose on
the part of the Government to see to
1t that it there is any subsequent at
tempt at territorial aggression on the
part of any of the powers who already
have declared themselves as willing
TO abide by the expressed determine
ton of the United States to refrain
from Selling upon Chinese territory.
then the United States is to lose no
right privilege which it now enjoys.
by such action.
The notes themselves are brief. con-
sidering the Importance of the topics
treated. The Russian and Chinese an
swers being in the form of diplomatic
memoranda, are short to a degree
rarely seen in diplomatic exchange.
But in both cases being completely
responsive and favorable to the in
quirer they will escape criticism on
that score.
The answer to the German note is
carefully phrased so as to soften the
unqualified refusal of the United
States Government to make the pun
ishment of the Chinese ringleaders a
condition precedent to negotiations.
Also it is noted that in the expression
of a purpose to insist upon the ulti-
mate and proper punishment of these
offenders, the State Department goes
far beyond the German declaration on
the subject. The announcement that
the Department intends Immediately
to begin through Mr.. Conger, confer
ences with Ching ard Ii Hung Chang
although distinctly marking the fact
TINT these are only preliminary to
final negotiations will have the effect
to force the other powers to an inn
mediate determination of their poll
cies in this matter. The text of the
correspondence follows:
THE GERMAN NOTE.
Chinese Correspondence, Sept. 1929
Proposals of the German Govern
ment in regard to the delivery of the
responsible authors of recent crimes
committed in Pelin. and the reply
of the United States thereto.
Cd (The Imperial German Charge
d'Affaires to the Secretary of State)
(Translation).
Imperial Embassy,
Washington, Sept. IS, 1900.
Mr.. Secretary:
BY direction of the Imperial Chan
cellor, / have the honor to respectful
~ communicate to Your EXcellency
the following:
: The Government of His Majesty the
Emperor considers as a preliminary
condition for entering into diplo
matte negotiations with the Chinese
Government a surrender of such per
sons as are determined upon as being
the first and real perpetrators of the
crimes committed in Pekin against in
ternational law. The number of per-
petrators who served as tools is toe
great: a wholesale execution woulC
be averse to the civilized conscience
Furthermore, circumstances would
not allow that even the group of lead
ers could be completely ascertained
But the few among them whose guilt
is notorious should be surrendered
and punished. The representatives Oh
the powers at Peliin will be in po-
sition to make or adduce in this inves.
tigation fully valid testimony. The
number of those punished is of less
Importance than their character as
principal instigators and leaders. The
Government Of His Majesty. the En-
peror. believes that it can depend IN
this matter upon the concurrence oil
all Cabinets: for, Indifference towards
the idea of a just expiation would be
equivalent 10 Indifference towards a
repetition of the crime.
The Government of His Majesty,
the Emperor, therefore proposes to the
Interested cabinets that they request
their representatives in Pellin to des-
ignate the principal Chinese person
ages whose guilt in the instigation OF