Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-31

Of France three-quarters destroyed. Our
loss is sixteen. The general loss is sixty
more and ITO wounded
"Al the missions in Pekin have been
burned save the Paitang mission. which Is
standing.
THE bombardment ceased on July II. Of
fensive works, Chinese barricade and inter-
mittent shots continue without victims.
The government Is attempting indirectly
to negotiate with us for departure, but we
cannot leave without some protection other
than that of the government
Our forces. ammunition and provisions
are almost exhausted. The interrupted at
tack may recommence and place us at the
mercy of the Chinese government"
New Difficulties Arise.
The difficulties of the situation. however.
did not cease with the occupation of Pc
Kin. The really serious phase of the sit
uatlon had just begun. 1t now became a
question of policy, a policy which was not
to be decided by any one nation, but by a
combination of nations allied for the mo-
ment in military enterprise to rescue its
imprisoned representatives, but all whose
interests were widely divergent when it
came to question of final settlement. The
next step to be taken puzzled the wisest
OF the diplomats Of the various powers.
The next phase of the situation deals
with the various measures proposed to
cure from the Chinese government some
sort of punishment of the leaders of the
revolt, the establishment and guarantee of
permanent peace and the prohibition of a
recurrence of the atrocities, together with
adequate indemnity for the loss of life
and property which had been sustained by
| the foreigners In this even greater diff
culties appeared than had come forward In
the military operation. Germany, as has
beeno noted, took advanced ground for
tenders the prerequisite of peace nego-
tiations. A proposal to the powers en-
bodying this idea was sent out from Ber-
lin. The United States alone took strong
ground against 1t. This government as
sumed that 1t must be left to China to
punish the culprits and that a guarantee
that this would be done with all that could
be exacted as a preliminary. In brief,
after great deal of negotiations and the
submission of many proposals, the other
powers finally game around to take sub
stantially the same view as the United
States OF the situation.
Another Troublesome Question.
Then arose even a more troublesome
question to be decided. With whom were
the powers to treat as the representative
Of China? The nominal government had
fed from Pekin. The only communications
from this court were edicts, sometimes
signed by the empress dewager, but lat
terly by the emperor, kwang Su. The Eu-
ropean powers were disposed to question
the authenticity binding power of any
of these edicts. But here, again, the
United States took the initiative and pre-
pared the way for peace negotiations. This
government took the ground that the only
possible means of settling the difficulty
was to accept these <edicts in good faith
as being the official expression of the con-
stituted Chinese government. In pursu-
ance Of this policy Secretary Hay in
formed Minister WI that this government
was willing to accept Prince Ching and Ii
Hung Chang as the fully accredited repre-
sentatives of the Chinese government with
f;ll1 To To fnr ic
preliminary step was finally followed by
the other powers.
The essential features of the joint pro-
posal submitted to China as the basis of
peace negotiations are:
The punishment of the officials guilty of
the Boxer outrages.
The payment of indemnity for the wrongs
by the Boxers.
The revision Of commercial treaties.
A reform in the Chinese cabinet, SO that
the ministers having business with the for
eign Office can transact it more expeditions
ly than formerly and with a responsible
head
A monument to be erected in Pekin to
Baron Won Ketteler and the appointment of
a Chinese prince of the blood to proceed to
Germany to make formal apology to the
emperor for the crime Of his murder.
Reduction Of the strength of Chinese
forts
The right to keep a legation guard in
Pekin If it is desired.
The exclusion of candidates for office for
a certain number of years in the case of
those who may be guilty Of anti-foreign
activity.
An Introduction of Importation of arms
into China and Of material to be used ex-
clusfvely In the manufacture of arms.
The taking Of measure to prevent the re-
currence of trouble in the future.
These proposals were submitted to Ii
Hung Chang and Prince Ching on Deem
Der 20. and they are reported to have signed
1t
1t is doubtful If the end Of the first yesr
of the new century will see a full settle
ment of the oriental question
THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Boer Opposition Practically Crushed
= and Their Territory Annexed.
The beginning Of the present year found
the situation in South Africa decidedly
gloomy for the British arms operating
against the Beers. The close Of the year
1899 had been marked by a series Of bril-
liant operations on the part Of the Beers
and serious reverses for the British. Gen,
Buffers efforts for the relief Of Ladysmith |
had all proved unavailing as well as disas-
trous. The garrison at Kimberly and Mafe- |
king were also reported to be in dire straits
and 1t was serious question whether any |
of the beleaguered cities could hold out un-
til relief came. In England there were