The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-10-17
Hunting Trouble in China.
Useless and Unwise Mill.
tary Operations Against
Chinese Cities

1uIu0S0 S1tlOo
Wasbiog.oo. OCT 15-Rscens hap
peniogs in China, and especially in the
province of Chile. have so far set back
peace oegotiasions that it may be
matter of weeks or even months before
the peace commissioners will be able to
get to work.
I'll. considered military operations in
Chile and elsewhere are said to be
responsible for the check which diplo-
macy has net in reaching settlement.
Through the efforts Of the state depart
ment. seconded by the more moderate
powers, steady aud Systematic pressure
had been brought to bear upon the
Chinese emperor to bring about his
return to Pekin. The representations
from the great southern vioeroys TO the
emperor setting out the impossibility Of
supplying the court With money and
food if it persisted in retreatiug to
Tsiasu Fo, 10 Shensi, vas but one of
the means which had been resorted to
at the instance of this government to
secure the return of the court. All
efforts we're neutralized, however, by
the spasnodic and unnecessary activity
of the allied military forces There
was 90 necessity whatever for the Pao
Tiog Flu expedition, in the judgment OF
the officials here. and that ventsre was
the straw which determined the imperial
court to fee to the western mountains.
LII Hung Chang and the viceroys of the
south have pledged themselves to
maintain order and guarantee protectiou
for foreigners and property 10 their
respective provinces. This was made q
condition precedent by the Uoited
States government to the establishment
of relations With them looking to the
initiation Of negotiations for final
settlement. According to all reports
that have reached Washington, the
viceroys had lived loyalty up to their
promises. in spite of irritating military
expeditions and movements of various
kinds set up against their protests and
therefore it is regarded as particularly
uufortunate that the allied forces should
persist Dow iu the expedition against
Pao Ting Fa 1t is not known here
whether or not the Germans are the
moving force 10 this project. and q
contrary conclusion is drawn from the
fact that the Waldersee is not the
directing head. Each nationality ap-
pears to be moving at the will Of its
military commander, aud military
affairs 10 China. as viewed 10 Washing
ton, appear to be in hopeless confusion.
In this state of affairs satisfaction ia felt
in the fact that the American troops
are not 10 any manner involved in the
activities of allied forces, aod it is said
that the movement looking to their
wi.bdrawal-will proceed uuinterruptly.
The reply of the United States gov
erumens to the latest note from France
Offering suggestions as to the settlement
of the troubles in Chins VAS completed
LATE today and delivered to NJ. THE.
b.ut, charge d'affsires Of the freoeh
embassy BY him it Was Forwarded
to his government No Official state
meut Of the contents of the answer Was
ob,sip.ble. Following its iu4exibla
rule, the state department. declined to
make public the text of the ecu0noi-
cation or to make any statement Of the
nature of it's contents, until opportunity
bad been aHordsd for it's reception BY
the French foreign of1os.
It is believed, however. to take .
favorable view of the suggestions sub
mitted BY the French governmeas in 3
general wss, although it does not CON-
nit this government to all of then.
As to the drss of the proposed French
terms Of settlement. the punishment Of
the priocipss oolprits, this government
has already declared itself in sumis-
taxable terms.
AS to the second, the maioteu asce Of
the Inhibition against the import Of
arms. this government will DOT declare
itself to the roios of making it 80 alb
eoluse prerequisite to further oegotia-
tons. AS to the third aod fourth prop
osi,ions providsog for equitable indem-
mites to States. societies and lndivi-
duals. and the formation of perua-
ueut guard for the Legations ic Peksn.
cordial assent will be given As to
the fifth. which requires the dismant!e
uent Of the Taku for!i6ca;ious. this
government is DOT disposed to 60 qcise
te the length of making i. al iodispen
ssbie condition as does the French cote
TIE sixth Of the French conditions
reads as follows
Military occupation of two of three
points on the roads from Tien Ts:n to