Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-21
Consent to the Demands for the Heads
OF Chinese Mobiles,
Mr.. CONGER TO sign AGREEMENT
Secretary Hays Action Approved
by the Cabinet Today:
SERIES OF MISTAKES


| Chinese mobiles and Boxer leaders after the
| strangest comedy of errors known IN the
history of the State Department for many
| years.
Secretary Hay this afternoon telegraphed
| Mr.. Cbnger at Pekin to sign the agreement
| that has been reached by the representa-
| tives of the various countries as a basis for
| the beginning of peace negotiations with
| China This agreement makes an "trrev-
| ocabe'' demand for the heads of the Chi
| namen who are believed to have instigated
| the rebellion and aided in the attack on the
| foreign legations. In sending the telegram,
| however, Mr.. Conger is instructed IN IAN
| guage too plain to be misconstrued that he
| must announce that the acceptance by this
| country of the demand is with strong res
ervation, if not protest. That Mr. Hay has
| assumed such an attitude Is largely 10 pre-
| vent further delay In signing the agreement
| that has been reached, and that IS now 10
| be presented to China for her acceptance or
| rejection
This COuntry's Contention.
The whole world knows that this country
has all along contended against the use OF
| the word irrevocable in the proposed de-
| mand for the heads Of the Cinnamon. Inc
| officials of the administration have never
believed 1t was possible for the weak gov
eminent of China to comply with such
demand as the mobiles whose heads are 10
| he demanded are probably too powerful to
| permit themselves to be decapitated at tne
request of the civilized powers 1t was lur
ther believed that the Ch1nese government
| would weaken itself in its efforts to carry
out such a request, even should 1t be forced
| to agree to such terms. Everything was
! done to make Minister Conger understand
! this as our position. and there was no
doubt here that he so fully understood and
was acting accordingly. notwithstanding
| such course was in antagonism to his
| own views. He has believed that the no,
bles and Boxer leaders should be punished
| with death, and strongly urged his views
on the government.
| After good deal of correspondence Mr.
| Conger was sent cable message about Two
| weeks ago that, interpreted by State De-
partment methods here, meant to insist on
striking out the word irrevocable and stand
| by his position.
Mr. Conger proceeded to interpret the
| word as meaning ''majorites'' in the State
Department CODE He supposed the admin
| istratio had changed it's position and that
| the word majorities was authority for him
! to act with the majority OF the ministers.
| lie thereupon pledged this country to sign
| the agreement over which the nations have
! been haggling SO long. When Mr.. Conger
| acquainted the State Department with his
actions a day or two ago there was a mid
sensation and the matter was discussed
at great length between the President and
| Secretary Hay. 1t was finally decided. and
| the cabinet agreed to the decision today, 20
authorize Mr.. Conger to sign the demands
| as they stand, but to let our position be
| known.
| Some Feeling Against Mr.. COnger.
! There is some feeling against Mr.. Conger
| regarding the mistake that has placed the
| government In a ludicrous position, but it
| is not known what will be done. Mr.. Con-
| ger. 1t Is said. has not pleased the State
| Department in much of his work at Pekn
| and this mistake will not add to his record.
| Ii is held that Mr.. Conger knew how
| earnest the United States was about it's
| position he ought to be have asked for fur
| ther Instructions or for clearing up of a
| doubt, If any existed.
| An amusing part of the story is that this
! country all along believed that England
was one Of the strongest Of the nations in
| insisting on capital punishment. While this
| belief prevailed England was herself up-
| posed to such demand. When she learned
that this country had changed position, as
| was thought she Issued instructions to her
| representative not to oppose the demand
| any longer and to consent to it, Both
| countries were thus brought to agreement
| by mistakes.
| Going to Visit Washington.
Senator Foster and Representative Jones
| Of Washington. today invited the President
| to visit number Of Washington cities
| and towns when he goes west in May next.
| looking forward with deep pleasure to the
| expected visit. The President promised to
go to Tacoma, Seattle, North Yakima,
| Spokane and intermediate points.
The President expects to leave Washing
! ton about the 1st Of May. and will make
| numerous stops between here and San
| Francisco. One Of the stops will be at New
| Orleans. Los Angeles will be another city
| to be visited. San Francisco will be reached
| in time for the launching of the battle ship
| no ne Wis
| to Washington and Oregon, and other west
ern states.
| Wanted In Baltimore.
Senator McComas went to the White
| House with Rev. Ernest Lyons, H. s. Cum
mings, Hiram Wattey Of Baltimore, and
Rev. I. L. Thomas Of Asbury Church, this
| city 1t is proposed by the colored people
Of Baltimore to have a big celebration Of
| emancipation day on January /. They hoped
| to have the President with them at that
| date or to get letter from him. The del
| egation called to extend the President an
| invitation. He said he could not go to Balti-
| more on that day, but would send letter.
| What n Cnnard Can Do.
Ever since the publication of fake story
| that Leonard Skinner, soldier Of the
| United States. was to be shot in the Phil
ippines on Christmas morning for some
alleged ofrense the White House and War
1
| quires about Skinner and appeals for his
| life. The story was worded to work
| upon the sympa athies of many people. The
| California Red Cross has become concerned
| about the story and Mrs Willard Harring-
| ton telegraphed here about 1t. Mrs. J.
| Ellen Foster of this city saw Secretary
| Cortelyou today and telegraphed Mrs. Har-
| rington that the story was canard. Sew
| eral delegations from a society of which
| Skinner is supposed to be a member have
| called at the White House to save his life;
preachers and church members have made
| appeals through the mails and by tele-
| graph
! Two Prominent Visitors.
Senator Hanna and Andrew Carnegie had
an interview with the President today
They were received in the library and were
| with the President some time.
Representative Boreing called on the
/ President with Judge James Denton, who
| Is to be appointed collector Of internal rev.
| enue in place Of John w. Yerkes.
| Senator Fairbanks and Representative
Crumpbacker talked with the President
about an army appointment for con-
stituent
senator Mcbride urged the appointment