The sun., 1900-09-20
CHINESE CRISIS ACUTE.
Note by Germany May Precipitate
Our Decision.
MINISTER WU DISTURBED.
He Declares That the Condition
the Kaiser Would Impose on
His Country Is Out of
the Question.

washington, sept. ID ne general lil-
preston here is that the German note
demanding the punishment Of the Chinese
officials responsible for the outrages upon
foreigners as a condition precedent to
peace negotiations has brought the Chi
nese trouble to an acute crisis as far as
the United States government is concern
ed. This conclusion is based upon the be-
lief in official circles that the Chinese
government cannot accept the German
proposition, so that it is now for the
United States government either to with
draw its forces from China Immediately
OF to join Germany and England, and
perhaps some other of the allied powers,
in prolonged war with China.
Baron Won Sternberg, the German
charge, just returned to Washington, call
ed early at the state department to talk
with Mr.. Adee, the second assistant sec
retary of state, in explanation of the
points of the German note.
Mr.. WI, the Chinese minister, had pre-
ceded him, showing visible signs of nerv-
business and disquiet over this last move.
MIR. Adee made an appointment for him
with DIR. Hill, who having recovered from
his indspostion, is again acting as secre-
tary of state. Then Mr.. Adee repaired
to the White House to communicate to the
president the substances of the conversa
tions he had had with the two diplomats
and to assist in the consideration of the
German note. He refused to discuss the
latter publicly in any phase.
Was Not n Condition.
| Attention was directed in some quar-
| ters to the fact that in the very begin
ming, in the note Of July 3, Secretary
| Hay had notified the Chinese govern
ment that he expected that the guilty
parties in connection with the outrages
would be punished. However, this de-
mand was not made Il condition prece-
dent to negotiations. Now the belief is
growing that if the United States gov
ernment is forced to a speedy decision as
to the German proposition it may resort
to direct negotiations with the Chinese
government and, having settled its scores
with that government, withdraw from
China, giving notice to the allied powers
there of the arrangement made in order
that that arrangement should remain in
full force and unaffected by any settle
ment that the allies may make thereafter
as to China.
The president on his return from Cam
ton went directly to the White House
The complications which have arisen in
Will lHp AulueSP SITUATION ue-
cided him to return to Washington at
this time. The decision to come here was
reached on Monday before the president
had any knowledge of the new German
demand for the punishment of the lead
ers of the antiforegn movement. Attor-
ney General Griggs is the only cabinet
officer in Washington, and with him the
president will 90 over the new develop
ments in the situation.
Statement by wu.
When seen at the legation. Minister
WI had before him a copy of the pub
lished text of the German note.
Il can hardly believe that this step has
been taken" said he, "and if it has, il is
so unfortunate in its influence upon the
general question that l am greatly in
hopes Germany will reconsider it. The
condition imposed upon China would be
very hard. 1t would amount to determin-
ing one of the subjects of negotiation he-
fore negotiations had commenced. The
Chinese ENJOYS are invested with com
plete power to make terms with the pow
ers, so that when the negotiations are
opened this question and all others will
he proper subjects for consideration and
final settlement by those having complete
authority !n deal with them. But ia
take one subject up III advance. settle il
and make ics execution nn indispensable
preliminary 70 negotiations. Is extremely
hard.
Put more than this, such coadti0n
If imposed, is simply imposst ie, and be-
ing impossible, the effect would be tc
bring the peace negotiations 10 a complete
standstill. Suppose the situation was
| reversed, and this unfortunate trouble
had occurred in some one of the countries
now dealing with China? In the midsi
? of excitement suspicion might have beer
: directed against persons high in author
ity, even against the members of the roy
al family in that country. Would thai
country, when the question of settlement
came up, for moment consider the sur
render of those persons vaguely suspect
ed, or would it not ask that all question
r be considered by the ceurt which was il
2 pass upon the entire subject? Who
4 could tell to who this condition would mp
ply? There have been intimations agains
those very high in Chinese affairs, bu
it would he very hard-yes, impossible
to say in advance, before the negotiator
E had considered the question, that thcs
= persons should be given up"