The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-28
C0NGER'S INSTRUCTIONS
BEING CAREFULLY DRAFTED AT THE
STATE DEPARTMENT
THE POSITION OF MEDIATOR
He is to Attempt to Bring About Nego-
tfatfons Between China and the Pow
ers-No Word From Any of the Pow
ers as to Americas Position-How
Her Reply to Germany Was Received.
Fifteen Hundred American Troops
to Remain In PekIn

Washington, September 24.-The po-
sition OF the United States in China.
as made known by the notes made pub
lie yesterday, is receiving the earnest
consideration Of the other powers and
their representatives here. 1t is looked
upon as a sort of turning point in the
negotiations on which the alignment of
the several countries will be deter
mined and their programmes framed.
There has been no word, however, from
any OF the governments concerning
their view of the American position,
and it is expected that some DAYS will
elapse before any move is made. There
is reason to believe that the American
note was considered at Berlin yester-
day by those chief in authority, but
this has brought no positive develop
mentS thus far.
In accordance with the statement
made to Germany TO the effect that the
United States government is about to
authorize Mr. Conger to enter forthwith
into conference with the July autho-
rIZed representatives of the Chinese
government, with a view to bringing
about a preliminary agreement, acting
Secretary of State Hill spent some time
$4,000 IN u MI.
Conger. In view of the peculiarly
delicate nature of the task to be con-
fided to Mr.. Conger, this is a work re-
quiring much thought. The language
of the note. processing to state what
Mr.. COnger is to do, is unusual and
seems generally to indicate that he is
really about to undertake to bring the
powers and China together; in ~actuality
he IS to serve as a mediator, in part
at least. He presumably will arrange
with n Chinese representatives, Ii
Hung Chang and Prince Ching, as to
the place where they are willing to
meet the representatives of the powers
to discuss a final settlement ana try
to fix upon certain broad principles that
shall govern the conference. This pro-
gramme must be submitted to the
powers to ascertain if they are willing
to accept it. If SO, then it may be that
something in the nature of a joint in
ternatlonal peace commission will deal
with the Chinese representatives.
1t is now understood that General
Chaffee's military forces will be reduced
10 abut 1,50O men. This contingent, be-
ing specially known as a legation
guard, will not be subject to the orders
of any one save the United States minis
ter resident, as made known Through
the senior American military command
er. either General Chaffee or General
Wilson,, probably the latter, and, not
being part of the allied military forces,
will not be under the command of Ger
man Field Marshal Count Won Valdez
see- The orders for the reduction are
still in process of perfection.
HOW AMERICAS REPLY IS RE-
CEIVED.
Berlin. September 24-The refusal of
the United States to accede TO Ger
many's proposition regarding he Chi
neSe settlement is prominently COM
mented upon by the entire German
press. In spite of the previous intI-
nations through Washington cable
grams, the refusal has come as a great
surprise.
A high official of the foreign office.
referring to the matter today said.
Germany adheTes firmly to her prOpo-
sition. She has no occasion to doubt
hat favorable W will come from
all the other powers. We have re-
ceived hints that Russia will agree to
the German note and the same course
is confidentally expected of Japan and
Great Britain. We hope the answer
of the United States is not final, es-
pecially in view of the possibility that
it was influenced by temporary cOndi-
tons"
The press comment varies widely, al
though generally in a tone of disap-
prevail and regret.
Cologne, September 24.-The Kolni-
sch Zeitung publishes an inspired tele-
gram from Berlin, in which the Wash
ington governments reply to the Ger
man note is characterized as a mani
fest effort to assist the Chinese gov
eminent to accept the proposals with
regard to the punishment of the lead
ers in the Chinese trouble The tele-
gram points out that. though the
American reply shows an indulgent