The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-21

StuLlH1euJ Oh INC III
crease
Washington, September 19.-With the
German proposition to postpone peace
negotiations with China until the
persons responsible for the Pekin out
RACES are punished, and the French
and Russian notification of the purpose
OF those governments to begin such ne
gotiations at once, awaiting him, The
president found much matter OF i'm
Portance to dispose of upon his arri-
val in Washington from Canton this
morning. He lost no time in notify
ing the officials he desired to consult
on his return and the day was largely
given up to private discussion.
Although it was stated that no an
Swer would be ready to the German
note today, it appeared that the presi-
oent' aIter talking over the situation
with Attorney General Griggs, acting
Secretary Hill and Assistant Secretary
Adee, had arrived at a conclusion as
to the nature of the response that
should be made
Mr.. Adee spent the afternoon con-
sult1ng acting Secretary Hill and in
drafting the note of response, but all
information as to it's nature was re-
fused at the state department
IL was said that the note is TO be
gone over carefully at a further meet
ing between the president and such OF
mis- adyisrs as are in the city
The German government apparently
is anxious for a speedy answe:, as
Baron Sternberg paid two visits TO the
state department after the German
note was delivered.
The Chinese minister also was twice
at the state department today seeking
to influence the government not to
agree to the joint action suggested in
the German note.
The conclusion reached from the
days development is that the powers
are dividing as to China and that at
present Germany and Great Britain
stand aligned against France and Rus
Sia, while both sides are seeking the
adherence of the United States gov
ernment.
The issue appears to be made up in
such shape as to dismiss further hope
Of attaining that harmony of action
respecting China that the president has
been seeking so far, and the point ap-
parently has been reached where the
United States must take sides or at
once proceed to action entirely nde-
pendent of the powers in reaching a
settlement. The Chinese government
is urging the latter course upon the
state department, but, thus far thel q
has been a restraining force in the de- |
sire to avoid making the United States
the first of the powers 10 break the |
solid front that has been maintained
up to the present time in dealing with
China
Berlin, September 19-It is under |
stood that the immediate cause for the |
issuing by Germany Of the circular !
note to the powers regarding the Chi |
nese settlement was the fact that Ii |
Hung Chang, during his recent inter-
view with the German minister to
China, mentioned a number of names
of alleged high mandarins, hitherto
wholly unknown as those responsible
for the Pekin outrages and sad that
China was willing to punish them.
This explanation seems to be bocae out
by the following statement made by
the German foreign office today to the
correspondent of the Associated Press
in Berlin:
What we want to avoid is an oppor-
tunity for allowing China to impose
any sham concessions upon the powers
by delivering up for punishment per-
sons who had nothing to do with the
Pekin atrocities Hence it is advisa-
BILE for the representatives o. the
powers in China to designate before
hand all who are notoriously guilty.
Germany does not wish to prejudice
the case in any way. She wishes to
reach an agreement with the powers
regarding the guilty and thei punish
ment."
Berlin, September 19-The boersen
Zeitung today prints special dispatch
from Shanghai dated Monday, SeItem-
be IL, saying that an imperia. edict
dated September 7th, commands all the
Chinese generals, under pain of death.
to avoid hostile acts; orders all high
officials to return to Pekin and assist
in restoring order and peace, and OF
ders the suppression of the Boxers
whose leaders must be captured.
A second edict, the dispatcn adds,
orders comprehensive reform in the
entire administration of the empire.
The allies at Pekin, it is also decia. .-ei
In the dispatch, must insist upon the
emperors return and the punishment
of all the Boxer leaders.
A CONFERENCE ON THE GERMAN
NOTE.
Washington, September 1e.-An i'm
portant conference over the answer to |
the German note was held at the |
White house tonight. The parties TO
the conference We're the president. |
Attorney Gneral Griggs, the only cab
met officer in this city, DR.. Hill, acting
secretary Of state, Assistant Secretary
Of State Adee and General Corbin, who
by executive order is acting secretary
Of war. The president entertained
these gentlemen at dinner and the sub
sequent conference lasted until IL |
o'clock. AT it's close one of the part;c- | |
pants said that no final action had |
been taken.
L is understood, however, that the |
answer of this government, as now
framed, is in effect a diplomatic re- |
fusal to accede to the German pro- ,
pOsal.
MACDONALD TRANS
FERED.
London. September 20, a. m.-The
only news of Importance from China |
his morning is contained in dispatch | {
10 The Times from Shanghai, dated
Yesterday, asserting that Sir Claude
Macdonald will become Brit :