The age-herald., 1900-10-18
THE POWERS AGREED M. Thiebaut ConferS With Sec-
 retary Hay. "0PEN DOOR" TO BE INSISTED UPON Minister Conger Is Grateful to Native Christians-Boxers Are Again
 Active North of Pekin-
 The Situation.
"OPEN DOOR" TO BE INSISTED UPON

London, October f.-The Chinese minis ter here, Sir Chin Chen Loh Feng Luh, as- serts that peace negotiations have actually begun at Pekin between the Chinese plen- ipotentiaries and the representatives of the powers, in the Tsung Ii Yamen buids ings which, he adds, have been given over to the Chinese for that purpose.
 Washington, October 17.-The French Charge d'Affaires, M Thiebaut, called at the State Department today and had a cons ference with Secretary Hay. It Is under- stood that he presented a memorandum proposing that the peace negotiations with China begin immediately In accordance with the favorable action of the powers on the recent note of the French govern ment. M. Thiebaut also made known the satisfactory character of the aswers re- ceived from the several governments and pointed out the desirabilty of having ac. tion taken at onne to carry out the sev- eral points which the powers have been brought into agreement.
 Minister Wu called on the Presiden to- day. Upon leaving the White House he said that he had convyed to the President a message from the Emperor of China thanking Mckinley for the consideration of the United States during the China trouble. The minister also brought mes- ,, sage from Shanghai from the other Vice roys stating that the imperial party had reached Yung Kuan, only few miles from Snan Flu, the new capital on the 14th instant.
 Denied Pekin Story
 Referring to the report from Pekin that the edict for the punishment of certain Chinese officials had been forged, Minister Wu said such story was preposterous and should receive no credence whatever. If anyone should issue false decree of that character 1t would be very easy, he said, to ascertain his identity and he cer- tainly would be beheaded.
 The advices received by Minister Wu give no indication of purpose on the part of the royal family to return to Pekin, ale though there is reason to believe efforts continue to be made to induce the Emperor to return to the capital. The Emperor has heretofore sent messages of thanks to the Czar of Russia and the Emperor of Japan for the course their governments have pur- sued, and messages to the President are along the same line.
 Secretary Hay spent some time at the War Department this morning in confer ence with Secretary Root, after which he went to the White House. From this 1t was inferred that there was some military news in the Chinese situation, although no state- ment was made from official sources.
 Russia's Policy
 Russi3's determination to pursue policy independent of the other powers Is regard ed by officials as a most important develop ment in the situation. In the absence of off, fical details those in authority are in doubt whether this Russian stroke is designed by insure Russian occupation of Manchuria, or is only another move in the pacific tenden- cies which the Russian government has given expression to beginning with the an- nouncement of the withdrawal of the Rus sian troops from Pekin. As to Russian de- signs on Manchuria, 1t Is being recalled that in the Russian note of August 2S that government specifically stated:
 Russia will not fail to withdraw her troops from within the boundaries of the adjacent Empire, provided, however, that the action of tho other powers shall not stand in the way"
 It is question, however, whether 1t Is the present aggressive course of Germany in opening a military campaign and not the action of the powers which will stand in the way.
 There is a strong impression In official quarters that the entire trend of Russas action is toward the ultimate acquisition of Manchuria as part of the Russian do- main.