Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-10-11
CHINESE SITUATION.
Important Propositions Submitted
to the United States.
The FRAyCO.RUSSIAy SUGGESTIONS.
Tho Introduction Of Arms-The United
states Government Against the Main'
tennnce Of q FOOthold on
Chinese Soil.

Washington, Oct. 5.-Proposition'
of a far-reaching character concern
ing China are being presented in RAPID
succession to this government. The
state department had no sooner dis
posed of one of these propositions
yesterday by delivering a response to
the German government, than it was
confronted by an even more impor-
tant proposition submitted by the
French government, and within hall
an hour formally seconded by the
Russian government.
The answer to Germany covered the
subject of furnishing Chinese offenders
and made known that the United
States had instructed Minister Con-
ger along the Hines suggested by Ger
many. These instructions look to-
wards securing the names of the per-
sons deserving chastisement, also
whether the punishments accord with
the gravity Of the crimes committed,
and, fnally,in what manner the United
States and the other powers are to
be assured that satisfactory punish
ment is inflicted. Aside from these
specific purposes of the note, it is re-
garded as important chiefly in estab-
fishing the most satisfactory rela-
tions between the governments at
Washington and Berlin.
The Franco-Russian proposal takes
a much broader scope and submits
q programme under which the nego-
tiations for a complete settlement can
be carried forward. The French
charge, NJ. Thiebaut, handed the
proposition TO Secretary Hay shortly
after noon yesterday, and held brief
conference concerning 1t. Half an
hour later, NJ. De Wollant, the Rus
sian charge, arrived at the state de-
partment and handed to Mr.. Hay a
note expressing Russian approval of
the proposition just submitted by
France. Mr.. Hay gave no formal an
swer to the two communications, as
they will 90 first to the president at
Canton.
The Franco-Russan proposition Is
under four heads, namely: First,
punishment Of the guilty parties; Sec
ond Introduction of the shipment of
arms into China; third, payment of
to the powers; and fourth,
guarantees for the future.
In addition, suggestion is made for
the establishment OF a permanent le-
cation guard at Pekin; for the razing
of the Taku forts, and for the main
tenance ola line of communication be-
tween Pekin and the sea.
The impression here, in advance
of action on these propositions by our
government, is that they contain
essentially uniting them to
be subjects of consideration in a final
settlement. The difficulty which is
likely to arise lies in the placing of
proper limitations upon the scope
of each head. This is particularly
true OF the subject of guarantees and,
perhaps, of that of indemnity. Still,
as already suggested, each is undoubt-
pdly a most proper subject for dis
russion when the final negotiations
ARE reached, and therefore, NJ, Del
cases broadcast proposition, while
likely to consume some time in red,lc.
ing them to ultimate and binding
form, may be said to have fair re-
,eption awaiting them
AS to the introduction of arms, the
state department already has init
mated that there may be a question
rs to the wisdom, and there is reason
to believe, also, that Germany will noe
REV that particular feature with an.
'royal. But there appears to be good
'e0son to expect that a middle ground
viii he reached by confning the inter.
lection of arms to specific period,
to be fixed by the time re-
'nred by China within which to paw
the indemnity. The chief objection
TO the proposition is in its being per-
nonent in its present form.
What the United States government
particularly desires to avoid is enter
ng into a programme that leans in
my matter toward the maintenance
Of foothold on Chinese soil. and If
the other propositions relative to the
Of line Of free and safe
communication between Pekin and
ne sea, and to the legation guards,
Fan he modified in the direction of
eSpedients, they will be
more likely to receive the support of
'uT government. 1t is apparent from
'he completely of the latest Franco.
RUSSIAN proposal that the phase of
negotiation thus initiated will take
Scme time to dispose of,
London, Oct. Cit is reported in
St, Petersburg, according to the cor
respondent of the Times at the Rus
sian capital, that the Chinese ileet
IN Formosa strait attempted to EN-
gage the Russian armored cruiser
Rmrik Int tho lnttpr's Spppd frus-