The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-28
State Department Hopeful TINT His
Prompt Action VIII Induce
Other Powers to Follow.
PROTEST AGAINST A PRINCE
TUAN is PERSONA NON GRATA TO
THE UNITED STATES.
Salisbury's Verbal Reply to the Ger
man Note Was Adverse to the
Proposal-Press Comment.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 27.-Minister Con-
ger has been advised by the State Depart
ment of the substance of the replies made
by this government last Friday to the gov
ernments OF Germany. Russia and China
respee ing China, which clearly indicated
to him the general nature of the instruc-
tions he is to receive. Moreover, by this
time he is informed of the orders issued to
General Chaffee to reduce his force to
legation guard. The note to China specif
ically pointed out the lines on which this
government will issue its instruction TO
Its minister. The document itself is in
course Of final approval, Acting Secretary
Hill having completed the draft some days
ago and forwarded 1t to the President. 1t
was the belief of the State Department
late this afternoon that the actual trans
mission of the instructions would be car
ried out very soon, probably within the
next twelve hours. 1t is said the text of
the instructions will not be given publicity
at present for diplomatic reasons, but there
is no concealment of the general scope of
the document. which is on the lines laid
down I'm the three notes. In this connec-
ton 1t is said at the State Department that
motion without any purpose of acting for
any government other than the United
States, although the government steadily
keeps in mind that the United States is
but one of several nations mutually inter-
ested in obtaining a common end. and it is
hoped the effect Of Mr.. Conger's making
a beginning toward negotiations may be
to induce other powers to follow. At the
same time the government has never as
sumed to lay down any mandate as to the
course to be followed by all or any of the
other powers.
The State Department has been advised
by Sheng the taotai of Shanghai, of the
appointment of Prince Tuan, the former
heir apparent of China, as grand secretary
to the Emperor. He says nothing of the
reported designation of Tuan as presi-
dent or member of the privy council. but
It is believed here that 1t is entirely ac-
cording to Chinese forms for a prince of
Tuan's rank to fill both posts simultan-
eously. IL is believed that the State De-
partment already has taken steps through
A-.nister WI to impress upon the Chinese
government the undesirability of the ap-
pointment of Prince Tuan, and the painful
impression this appointment has created
throughout this country. The effect Of his
appointment, II persisted in. it is said,
might be to seriously retard the final nego-
tiations, or, in fact, any negotiations at
all. The government feels that it is much
reinforced in it's present position by the
note from Ii Hung Chang in which he gave
positive assurance to the United States that
he had sufficient authority to protect all
American interests, and would see that his
authority was exercised. The govern
ment now looks upon this assurance as a
guarantee which must be faithfully per-
formed as a condition precedent to even
the establishment of relations with Ii
Hung Chang and Prince Ching II the
appointment of Tuan promises in any man
ner to- obstruct the performance of this
pledge. then 1t would be clearly violative
OF the guarantee laid down, and warrant
the immediate withdrawal of Mr.. Conger
from further relations with the Chinese
ENJOYS. So It appears that much more
he has done.
The State Department has not as vet
been made acquainted with the character
of the reply 10 be made by Great Britain
10 the German note. but confidence is felt
that It will. like this governments reply.
except to the leading feature OF that prop
osition. namely. the demand for surrender
OF the perpetrators OF the Peking outrages
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