The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-18
Chinese Affairs Growing More
Mixed Day by Day.
Two Sets Of Negotiations &Are
Now in Sight.
INCREASED.
The Powers VIII Try to Agree
Among Themselves
At the Same Time That They
Seek Agreement With China.

washington, oct. 1S.-For the FIRST
time in three days Minister Conger was
heard from at the state department to-
day. He communicated by cable. the
substance OF certain propositions ad-
vanced by Prince Ching and Ii Huns
Chang, as a basis for the conduct of
negotiations for a settlement OF the Chi
nese trouble. The Chinese government
already has prepared the way for these
by a preliminary action looking toward
the punishment Of Chinese officials
guilty Of completely in the boxer uprising
and. while the text Of Mr. Conger's COM
munication is not made public II Is be-
lieved that the last Chinese advance Is
addressed to some OF the propositions
contained in the French note, being in
the nature OF counter proposals and pro-
ceeding upon the theory that what has
been done in the matter of punishment ~
sufficient to meet the demands from the
powers in that respect
Minister Wu called at the state de-
partment today by appointment and had
a long conference with Secretary Hay.
The secretary previously had spent an
hour with the president at the White
House, presumably in the consideration
of Mr.. Conger's communication and IL
is believed that Minister Wu was called
to the department to throw light upon
some Of the detailed propositions
There is no reason to believe that the
government Will take favorable action
on the latest proposition OF the trencn
government, presented yesterday through
the French charge d'affaires, NJ. Ihie-
baut This contemplates the opening or
peace negotiations on those points which
the powers are agreed upon, leaving 70
the ministers at Pelkin the details of
working out a further agreement ON
those points which the powers made
negotiations would be the French note
delivered on October 4, together with
the replies OF the other powers. This
would make practically two negotiations
going on at the same time. one concern
ing the points of agreement which would
have to be adjusted with China, anu the
other by the ministers at Pekin with
view. to securing an agreement previous
to submitting 1t to China. There IS ieN
to be no inconsistency In having TINS
double work proceed concurrenty ana
It has the advantage OF getting the peace
negotiations actually under way.
In case of a favorable reply TO France
it is probable that steps would nave te
be taken to designate plenlpotentlariea
for the powers; for UP to this time Mr.
COnger is acting only as minister ana
Mr.. ROckhill IS commissioner 10 MAKE
inquiries and there Is no authorization
to either of them to conduct peace
negotiations. Whether special plenl-
pOtentiaries would be named. or addl-
tional powers would be given TO Mr..
Conger or Mr.. Rocl6hin, Is still unde-
cided.
About the most serious obstacle which
stands in the way OF immediate peace
negotiations is the absence OF the ifu-
perial family from Pekin and the doubt
this creates as to fun approval being
given to the work Of the Chinese plenl-
potentiaries. While the latter claim TO
have full credentials, yet the powers
have looked upon the presence OF the
emperor at Pelin as an almost indilpen-
sable requisite toward giving the ne
gotiations complete efficacy. In this con-
nection, the presence Of the emperor
might have q significance considerably
beyond anything thus far brought out,
in the way of firmly re-establishlnE MS
imperial authority and freeing u from
the intrigues and anti-foreign influences
which have for the last two years prac-
tically nullihed his rule.
REPLY TO CHINESE EMPEROR.
Washington. oct. 1S.-Secretary Hay
said today that the reply to the message
of the emperor of China thanking the
president for the attitude of the United
States and expressing hope Of "a speedy
settlement had been dispatched. It was
purely formal in character; it thanked
the emperor for his expressions and
Joined in the hope of a speedy and sat-
cHINA's PROPOSAL
London. Oct. ia representative OF
the Associated Press learns that Prince
Ching and Il Hung Chang have finally
in drawing up a joint pro-
posai for a settlement. This has just
been received by the powers Beyond
the fact that IL Is likely to require con-
siderable alteration before proving ac-
ceptable nothing Is ascertainablc here
regarding the actual terms. The Chinese
minister here, Sir Chih Chen 10 Fcng
Iuh, processes ignorancea Of such pro-
posal, but It can be definitely said that
II is now engaging the attention Of the
British foreign Office.