The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-05
GREAT SATISFACTION
FELT At THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OVER THE CHINESE SITUATION
DEVELOPMENTS OF FEW DAYS
Indicate an Agreement of the Powers
Near at Neutrality-suspicious. Senti-
ments Developed Between Our Gov
ernment and Germany-The French
Proposals May Introduce a New
Phase-To Make Sure of the Punish
ment of the Princes.

Washington, October "a feeling Of
bouyant optimism prevails among Off
cials here today relative to the Chi
nese troubles, that warrants the belief
in the existence of a sound foundation
based on very recent developments in
the pending negotiations. 1t is evil
IDENTIFY the conviction officially that an
agreement among the powers is near
at hand. However, it is not deemed
we'll to make any public announcement
of the progress of the negotiations at
this stage. Although it is known that
there have been several important ex-
changes recently, both verbally between
the diplomatic representatives of the
powers here and the state department,
and through the United States repre-
sentatives abroad and the governments
to which they are accredited, it can
be inferred only that their general tenor
has been highly favorable from the
| satisfaction expressed by the officials
The encouraging outlook has been
brought about largely by the harmoni-
Gus sentiments which have DEVELOPED
between mis- government and Germany
concerning the course of future events
In China Since the return of Secre-
tary hay he has had several confer
enceS with Baron Won Sternberg, the
German charge, which have been of
such character as to show that the
| purposes of the two governments were
| very much alike and that whatever
might have been contemplated, they
We're now proceeding toward a common
end for the solution of the entire diff
Guilty.
The Berlin government received sew
eral days ago the Sheng dispatch, Civ
ing the Chinese edict for the severe
punishment of Prince Tuan and his as
soc1ates. This was accepted in the
highest German quarters as a sincere
evidence that China was disposed now
TO deal with the responsible parties as
their offenses deserved. 1t also de.
Veloped the sentiment that a declara-
ton of war against China would be
needless and that a solution of the
problem could be secured through pa
c1fc channels. Altogether the outlook
is more satisfactory than at any time
heretofore, not only for concurrent ac-
| ton by the powers, but also for a COM
| prehensive settlement of the entire Chi
neSe question.
| NEW PHASES OF THE SITUATION.
1t is expected, however. that the at
| tention OF this government will be
| turned within the next few DAYS to
| some entirely new phases brought UP
| by the French note to the powers This
| note undoubtedly will be in the hands
| of this government by the time the
president returns, and there is consid-
| cradle anxiety in foreign quarters as
| to the answer the United Suites will
| make. a question has arisen as to
| whether the note will be accepted by
some of the foremost continental pow
4 ORC .N<
| ment is concerned, however, there is
no reason to believe the French propo-
| sitions will meet with disfavor
TO MAKE SURE THE PUNISHMENT
| OF THE GUILTY.
| Meantime plans are under considera-
| ton by which the powers will see that
China carries out her purposes of pun
| lshlng the guilty parties. The Sincsri-
| ty of China being accepted, it is felt
to be proper that the punishment she
| ihicts shall be carried out in such
| public manner, either with the knowl-
edge OF the foreign ministers or in their
| presence, that there can be no ques-
| ton as to the completeness of China's
| reparation- The German government
| desires that this course be pursued,
and there appears to be a general dis
position to adopt some such supervision
of the punishments
/ 81
Paris, September %, via Taku, Sep
| tenn er 80 and Shanghai, October 81
| Prince Ching has been informed of the
issu-nce of an imperial decree naming
Liu kun vi, viceroy of Nan Kin. and
Ch; ng Chi Tung, viceroy at Hankow,
as assistant commissioners to nego-
tiate terms of peace. Both the assist
ant commissioners are members of the
progressive faction.
The Italian ma rinaS ara hoipor yvirb
drawn
GERMANY'S ACTION CAUSES UN-
EASINESS.
Some concern is expressed regarding
the plans of the Germans who are
bringing a large force which is expect
ed TO embark on a campaign of re-
venge, which, it is predicted will seri-
ously delay the establishment Of peace.
AMERICAN TROOPS NOT TO PAR
TICIPATE.
Tien Tsin, Sunday September 80, via
Taku, September 80 and Shanghai, Oc-
: tober 3.-The American forces will not
participate in the Shan Hal Kwan ex-
pedition. The order sending a detach-
. ment of United States marines with
, the allied forces has been revoked
The allies do any expect any opposi
ton, as they have been advised that
the authorities of Shan Hal KwaI
have been instructed to capitulate.
Il General Chaffee and the commando
; of the Russian troops have formally
notified Field Marshal Count Won Wal
dersee of the withdrawal OF the Amer1
can and Russian troops respectively
The United States troops will proceet
to Cavite.
The movement OF Indian troops viii
begin IN ten days. The British and
Germans continue sending troops Il
Pekin.
There are renewed preparations 70
! an expenditon in force against Pa.
Ting Fu- The troops will probabl.
leave in a fortnight and columns from
| Pekin will cooperate with the expendi
| ton. Resistance is expected as tn
Boxers are there in large numbers.