The National tribune., 1900-10-25
CHINESE AFFAIRS.
Alliance Between England and Germany
to Prevent Partition and Maintain Open
Trade Policy.

Prince Ching and Ii Hung Chang hav
addressed q circular note to the fOreigl
Ministers formulating proposals for u pre-
liminary convention on the subject o.
peace negotiations. The note contains tn
following: China expresses regret for thi
recent occurrences and promises the,
shall never recur; admits her liability t
pay indemnity; is willing to reatirm ol
modify the old commercial treaties o.
make new ones, and asks that the gen
eral propositions being approved, th'
Tsung Ii Yamen be allowed to resume it!
functions and that the foreign troops bt
withdrawn when the various items of in
demnity have been arranged, while, pend
ing negotiations, the Powers should de
clare an armistice and cease military ac
ton.
The Imperial dispatch conveying these
propositions ascribes recent occurrences to
the Boxers, admitting only that the Box
ers received support from Princes and
Ministers who have since been ordered to
punishment. The tone of the dispatch IS
said to be characteristically arrogant. Our
Government takes the propositions in good
faith, but the tone of the note has caused
much unfayorable comment in Germany.
Most Of the Powers have accepted the
French note with reservations, agreeing
upon sufficient number of points of first
Importance to warrant the assembling of
the diplomats at Pekin to begin the work
of formulating objects of common desire
and reconciling divergent views. The alb
Sence of the Emperor is still an obstacle
in the way of immediate negotiations.
1t Is announced that IN dispatches to
the Yangtse Viceroys it is stated that
Prince Tuan and his clique continue to
discharge the duties of their offices.
Statements to the effect that the al
legged edict setting out the punishments
allotted to Tuan and the other conspira
tors was forgery, are declared by Min
lister WI to be ridiculous and the forgery
alleged not a thing that any Chinaman
would dare do. Minister Conger has ad-
vised the State Department that the au-
thenticity Of the edict has been called
into question in Pekin.
The Russian Government allowed it to
become known last week that its attitude
in China will be increasing independence
Of the concert of the Powers. Russia is
disposed to attach less importance to joint
action since her interests have been fully
secured by her campaign in Manchuria.
The expectation is expressed that China
is about to use all the arts of duplicity
Df which she is mistress to gain time for
the gathering of her resources for a
Spring campaign. This attitude on the
part of Russia has been expected. Not
Russia's statement as to
from the adjacent Empire, IL
IS expected that she will not let go of
Manchuria now that she has it under her
humb.
Minister WI called on President Nc
Zinley last week and conveyed to him a
Message from the Emperor, thanking the
resident for the consideration shown by
he United States during the troubles and
lrging early negotiations for settlement.
This was along the lines of messages to |
he rulers of Russia and Japan. Mr.. Nc |
(inley sent a reply, in which he said:
The desire of this Government that |
uch a settlement may be brought about |
peedily has been made to all the Powers, |
nd l trust that negotiations may begin |
S soon as we and the other offended Gov
rnments shall be effectively satisfied of |
our Majesty's ability and power to treat
nth just sternness the principal offenders,
rho are doubly culpable, not alone toward
he foreigners, but toward your Majesty,
nder whose rule the purpose of China to
well in concord with the world has hith
rto found expression in the welcome and
assured tc strangers"
The allied forces mot including the Rus
ans or Americans) have entered Pao
ing-Fu with no opposition. The hordes
Boxers it was expected would be met