The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-05
THE POWERS PLANS
FOR A SETTLEMENT
The FranCo-RuSsian Proposal
is Received.
ITS TERMS SWEEPING
It Involves Punishment, Razing Taku
Forts, Indemi tiles.
NO REPLY AS YET BY THIS GOVERNMENT
Germany Now Declares That the Powers Should
See That the Real Leaders Of the Out
RACES Are Suitably Punished Wash
iogton Replies FavorabIy.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington, Oct. 4.~-Propositions of a
far-rcaching character concerning China
are being presented in rapid succession
to this Government. The State Depart
ment had no sooner disposed of one of
these propositions today, by delivering
a response to the German Government
than it was confronted by an even more
important proposition submitted by the
French Government, and within half an
hour formally seconded by the Russian
Government
The answer to Germany covered the
subject of furnishing Chinese offenders
and made known that the United States
had instructed Minister Conger along the
lines suggested by Germany. These in
structiCns look toward securing the names
of the persons deserving chastisement,
also whether the punishments accord
with the gravity of the crimes commit
ted, and finally in what manner the Uni
ted States and the other powers are
to be assured that satisfactory punish
ment is inflicted. Aside from these
specific purposes of the note, it is re :
garded as important chiefly in estab-
fishing the most satisfactory relations
between the Governments at Washington
and Berlin.
FRANCO-RUSSIAN PROPOSAL.
The Franco Russian proposal takes a
much broader scope and submits q pro-
gramme under which the negotiations for
q complete settlement can be carried for
ward. The French Charge. NJ Thiebaut,
handed the proposition to Secretary Hay
after noon today and held brief con-
ference concerning it. Half an hour later
NJ. De Wollant the Russian Charge, ar
rived at the State Department and handed
to Mr.. Hay note expressing the Russian
approval of the propositions, just sub
mitted by France. Mr.. Hay gave no
formal answer to the two communica-
tions, as they will go first to the Presi-
dent at Canton.
The Franco Russian proposition is un-
der four heads. namely:
First, punishment CT the guilty par
ties.
Second, Introduction of the shipment Of
arms into China.
Third, payment Of indemnity to the
powers.
Fourth, sufficient guarantees for the
| future.
| In addition, a suggestion is made for
the establishment of permanent legation
guard at Pckin; for the razing of the
Taku forts, and for the maintenance of
line of communications between Pc
kin and the sea-
The impression here, in advance of
action on these propositions by our Gov
| ic hot hoy -.
sentially uniting them to be subjects
of consideration in a final settlement.
| The difficulty which is likely to arise lies
in the placing of proper limitations upon
the scope of each head. This is particu-
larly true of the subject of guarantees
and, perhaps, that of indemnity Still,
as already suggested, each is undoubtedly
most proper subject for discussion when
the final negotiations are reached, and
therefore NJ. Delcasses broadcast propo-
sitions, while likely to consume some
time in reducing them to ultimate and
binding FORM may be said to have a fair
reception awaiting them
AS to the interdiction of arms, the
State Department has minated that
there may be a question as to its wis
dom. and there is reason to believe also
tndC GCrmany Will not view tf1at partlcu-
lar feature with approval. But there ap-
pears to be good reason to expect that a
middle ground will be reached by confin-
ing the Introduction of arms to a specified
period, possibly to be fixed by the time
required by China within which to pay
the indemnity The chief objection to
the proposition is in it's being permanent
in its present form.
What the United States Government
particularly desires to avoid is entering
into programme that leans in any man
ner toward the maintenance of foothold
on Chinese soil, and if the other proposi-
tlons relative to the maintenance of a
line of free and safe communication be-
tween Pekin and the sea and to the le-
cation guards, can be modified in the
direction of temporary expedients, they
will be more likely to receive the sup
port of our Government. 1t is apparent
from the complexity of the latest Franco
Russian proposal that the phase of ne
gotiation thus initiated will take some
time to dispose Of
THE REPLY TO GERMANY.
Following is the text of the American
reply to the German note delivered today
by Secretary Hay to Baron Speck Won
Sternberg, the German Charge d'Affaires:
1.-The Secretary of State to the Imperial
German Charge"
Memorandum in response to the in
\