Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-28
MUCH TO LEARN.
Europe Should Watch Our
Negotiations in China.
Our Plan Of Action Will Undoubtedly
Bring About Peace.
China Well Understands Position and What n
False Step Means.

Washington. Sept. 27.-Mnister Con-
ger has been advised by the state de-
partmcnt Of the substance Of the re-
pics made by this government. last
Friday. to the governments Of Ger
many, Russia and China respecting
China. which clearly indicated to him
the general nature Of the instructions
he is 70 receive. Moreover, by this
, time he is informed Of the orders is
sued to Gen. Chaffee to reduce his force
to legation guard.
The note 10 China specifically pointed
out the lines on which this government
VIII issue its instructions TO its min
isle". The document itself is in course
If final approval Acting Secretary Hill
having completed The draft some days
aSo and forwarded il To the President.
J. was believed at the state depart
mont, late this afternoon, that the ac-
tual transmission Of the instructions
would be carried out very soon. proba-
hly in the next Il hours. 1t is
said that the text Of the in
-trucrons Mill Eet be made pub
ic at present, for diplomatic rea-
sors PLAT there iz no concealment of tn.
general scope Of the document. which
I'M t--' 4L--N' ItAi-A N4JAf ~ III ING LiI4tt
notes.
In this connection. it is said at the
state department. that Mr. Conger viii
nut these negotiations in motion with
out any purpose 0f acting for any gov
eminent other than the United States,
although the government steadily
keeps in mind that the United States
is but one Uni the several nations mu-
H.s- ft.~ ....l
anon ana ana it Is hoped that the eff
te1 20 Mr.. Conger's making a begin
ming toward negotiations may be to in
duce other powers 10 follow. At the
same time the government has neve.
assumed To keep down any mandate as
tp tho course TO he followed by all or
any or the other powers.
Ii is believed that the state depart
mont already has taken steps through
Minister WI, 10 impress upon the Chi
nCse government the undesirability of
the appointment of Prince Tuan as
grand secretary and the painful i'm
preston this appointment has created
throughout this country. The effect OF
hs appointment. if persisted in. it is
said might be to retard seriously the
final negotiations, or, in fact, any ne
gntiations at all
The government feels that il is much
reinforced in its present position BY the
note from Iii Hung Chang in which he
gave positive assurances To the United
states that he had sufficient authority
to protect all American interests and
would see that this authority was ex-
ercised. The government now looks
upon this assurance as a guarantee
which must be faithfully performed a.
a condition precedent to even the es-
Enlistment Of relations with Ii Hung
Chang and Prince Ching.
If the appointment of Tuan promises
in any manner to obstruct the perform
ance Of this pledge then it would be
clearly violative Of the guarantee laid
down and would warrant the imme-
date withdrawal Of Mr.. Conger from
further relations with the Chinese en-
voys. So it appears that much more
depends upon what Tuan does than up
on what he has done.