The evening times., 1900-10-10
The REPLY TO FRANCE
Secretary Hay Preparing the Amer
lean Response.
Answer Expected TO BE Delivered to
the French Charge d'Affaires ia
1t VIII Probably CoDtain-ResuIt of
a Conference With the President.

At q conference this forenoon between
the President and the Secretary of State
the terms Of the American answer to The
French proposition for a settlement of the
Chinese troubles were outlined and on his
return to the State Department Mr. Hay
began the preparation of the final draft OF
the response IN all probability the an
swer will be completed, this evening ard
delivered to the French Charge d'Affaires
in Washington Immediately thereafter.
This Government will not make definite
answers to some CT the French PROPOSE
tions, preferring to held action in abey-
ance until the situation has assumed
such a shape that a complets programme
for establishing normal conditions in
China can be arranged. Those suggesti rs
of France in regard to final settlement
the punishment of the Boxer leaders
the guarantees for the preservation of
order in future, and the payment of in
demnity-which agree with the previou-
ly announced policy OF tKe-snited States
viii be accepted.
While the points on which this Govern
ment will not commit itself at this time
are not disclosed. it is apparent that they
are the propositions TO prohibit the i'm
portation of firearms into China, to raze
the fortifcations between PeIlin and Taku
and the establishment OF permanent
guards at the legations in Pekin All
these questions are so closely associated
cure indemnity and provide means for
preventing future anti-foreign disturb
anees that the United States prefers that
they shall be taken up for consideration
by the peace plenipotentiaries. when they
meet in general conference.
Considerable satisfaction is expressed by
officials over the press report from Pekin
fenced Prince Tuan to banishment, other
Boxer leaders to be executed, and others
to Imprisonment. The United States is
chiefly concerned with the punishment of
Tuan. and it may be accepted as the view
of the Government that the exile of Tuan.
to the Siberian frontier will be regarded
by 1t as adequate punishment of his Of
fences The military port to which Tnan
according to report. is to be sent said
to be in the Cobb Desert and his presence
there IN addition TO being severe pun
will. officials declare. prevent his
using his influence for evil in future
Should the Chinese Government inform
the United States that such sentence
has been passed on Tuan. an answer that
this action is satisfactory Will be re-
turned. The Government will however
require assurances from China that Tuan
will be kept in exile. This will be done
partly for the reason that Tuan'sz son is
the heir apparent to the Chinese throne
and might, on becoming Emperor, attempt
80 free his father.
In his despatch to the State Depart.
nent in answer to the enquiries as TO the
guilt OF the persons named for punish
ment in the Emperor kwang Hsu edet of
September -25, Minister Conger announced
his belief in the euipahiiity OF the officials
designated, but said that the list was NOT
complete others. equally guilty, not hay
ing been Designated He did net however.
give the names of the other officials.