The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-30
CONSIDERATIONS OF HUMANITY NOT
THE MOVING CAUSE
SHARP GERMAN CRITICISM.
Upon Position of the United States and
Extreme Measures I'm Furnishing the
Ringieaders of the Chinese Revolt.
Charges of Cruelty by German SOL
diers Defended on Ground of Peculiar
Condition of Affairs.

Berlin, November 2S.-The semi-offi-
cial Berliner Post, in the course of an
evidently inspired article, replying to
the suggestions of more lenient punish
ments of guilty officials in China made
by the United States government, says:
Since doubts have been expressed
here and there as to whether it is ad-
visable to insist upon death for the ring
leaders of the anti-foreign movement as
an irrevocable decision, it should be
pointed out that such doubts cannot be
traced to considerations of humanity,
as if some power regarded such a pun
ishment as too severe. The fact is
rather, that all the powers are con.
vinced that the ringleaderS deserve
death; but the question has been rails.
ed on various sides as to whether such
a measure should be insisted upon
from the standpoint Of political expe-
diency.
$50 far as Germany is concerned, she
has never insisted upon the execution
of specific persons, but has repeatedly
declared that she laid chief emphasis
upon the harmonious action of all the
powers in furnishing the guilty. This
attitude corresponds with the guiding
principle Of Germany's policy, which
seeks, above all else. to preserve the
harmony of the powers"
The Freisinnige Zeftung describes the
Posts declaration as "Germany's re-
treat from the demand penalty
The Militair Wochenblatt, discussing
the charges of cruelty on the part of
Germans in China, says: 1.-The uSageS
of civilized warfare are not always ap-
plicable with the half civilized. A COM
mander must deviate from the law of
nations where observance of it is rem
| dered impossible through the behavior
| of the enemy or his own situation. In
| a critical situation, where care of pris-
! onerS would endanger preservation
| prisoners must either not be taken or
| must be gotten rid Of
''The German army the paper adds,
| Should not be accused of cruelty with
out considering the facts in the light of
| the conditions"
The papers this morning resume their
| criticism of the course of the United
States government based upon the
| latest news from Washington.
| The Berliner Nueste Nachrichter
| says: 1.-The United States with Russia
is China's chief defender"
| The Lokal Anzeiger says: There is
renewed evidence of the separate poll
| cy of the United States"
| Paris, November 2S.-A dispatch from
| Pekin to the Havas agency says the
| ministers of the following powers de.
| clare they are authorized to sign the
| joint agreement to be presented tC
( China: Germany, the United States
Great Britain, Austria Hungary, Bel
| gium and Italy.
Berlin, November 2S.-A dispatch
| from Pekin dated Tuesday, November
| 7th, says that a German military Off.
| cial recently ordered the seizure of the
| steamer Irene (fying the Chinese flag,
as she had on board a cargo of tele
| graph material which, it was alleged
was intended for the Chinese. Field
| Marshal Count Won Waldersee, the dis
| patch adds, was notified and immedi.
| ately reScinded the order.