The Forrest City times., 1900-09-21
The Chinese Minister at Washing.
ton Greatly Perturbed Over
the Note From Germany.
posed IN Simply Impossible, and,
Being ImpOssible, It's Eject
Would be to bring Peace Nego-
tiatfOns to q StandstfIl.

Ting Fang was greatly interested in
Germany's note to the powers asking
combined action in demand that
those responsible for the trouble in
China be punished as an indispensa-
bic preliminary to any peace negoti-
atoms. When seen at the legation, he
had before him a copy of the pub
hshed text of the note.
Can Hardly Believe II.
II can hardly believe that this step
has been TAKEN" said he, land if it
has, it is so unfortunate in its in
fuence upon the general question
that l am greatly in hopes Germany
will reconsider. The condition i'm
posed upon China would be very hard.
1t would amount to determining one
of the subjects of the negotiation be-
fore negotiations had commenced.
Chinese ENJOYS Powers.
The Chinese powers are invested
with complete power to make terms
with the powers, so that when the ne
gotiations are opened, this question
and all Others will be proper sub
jects for consideration and final set
Element by those having complete au-
thority to deal with them But to
take one subject up in advance, settle
1t, and make its execution an indis-
pensable preliminary to negotiations,
is extremely hard.
A Logical Argument.
But more than this, such a condi-
ton, if imposed, is simply impossi-
BILE, and, being impossible, the effect
would be to bring the peace negotia-
lions to a complete standstill. Sup
pose the situation was reversed. and
this unfortunate trouble had occurred
in some of the countries now dealing
with China. In the midst of excite
ment, suspicion might have been di-
rected against persons high in au-
thorlty, even against the members of
the royal family in that country.
Would Another Country Do Its
Would that country, when the
question of settlement came up, for
moment consider the surrender of
those persons vaguely suspected, or
would 1T not ask that all quetisons
be considered by the court which was
to pass upon the entire subject? Who
couldtell to whom this condition would
apply? There have been intimations
against those very high in Chinese
AFFAIRS, but ii would be very hard.
yes, impossible, to say in advance. be-
fore the negotiations had considered
the question, that these persons
should be given up.
Who Would Furnish the Proof.
Who would furnish the proof? r.
Is an indispensable requisite, accord
ing to your recognized judicial meth
ods, that persons accused have the
right to be heard, and that their evil
dence shall be taken into account in
proving an accusation. But accord
Ing to this proposal, there would be
surrender of the party first, before
the negotiators had an opportunity
to consider all questions which might
be presented.
IL still Hopeful.
Under these circumstances I am
most hopeful that Germanv's note is
less positive than the published re-
ports indicate. The indications have
been that the difficulties over begin
ming peace negotiations had been
overcome, and that very soon the ne
gotiations would begin. 1 feel that
1t would be unfortunate to impose n
condition which, being impossible.
would bring the negotiations to a
halt.
DISADVANTAGE to All Concerned.
The effect of such step in all pro-
ceedings would be of disadvantage of
all parties concerned, to the powers
as well as to China. In short, its eff
fects would be so far-reaching that [
am extremely anxious that Germany
may see her way clear to reconsider
the proposal"
IMPRESSION IN WASHINGTON.
Relief TINT the Eer~1n NA<a vNspu