The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-23
TEXT OF THE NOTES
TO FOREIGN powers.
CORRESPONDENCE ON THE CHINESE
QUESTION MADE PuBLIC.
Forecasts OF the Documents Seem TO
Have Been Accuratc-Diplomat atfe
Deolination to Join I'm Demand
ing Surrender OF Offenders.

WASHINGTON, Sept. z-The state de-
partment tonight made public the text Of
the notes addressed by II to the govern
ments Of Germany, Russia and China,
In answer to inquiries from them as to
the attitude OF the United States toward
various phases of the Chinese problem.
The forecasts of these notes made In
the press appear to have been accurate,
for although nowhere In the text is ref
erence made to the withdrawal Of United
States troops from China, the official
statement issued by the navy depart
ment In advance of the publication of the
notes bears out the prediction that tho
government finally has decided upon such
a material reduction OF its military force
as win amount to a withdrawal of the
army as an offensive instrument
This statement from tho navy depart
ment moreover. 10 full of significance Of
a purpose on the part of the government
to see to 1t that II there Is any subse-i
quent attempt at territorial aggression
on the part OF any of the powers who al
ready have declared themselves as will
ing to abide by the expressed determina-
tion of the United States to refrain from
seizing upon Chinese territory, then the
United States Is to lose no right or priv
iiege which It now enjoys by such action.
The notes themselves are brief. consid-
erins the Importance OF the topics treat
ed. The Russian and Chinese answers,
beirg in the form OF q diplomatic mem
orands. are short to degree rarely seen
in diplomatic exchanges. But In both
cases. being completely responsive and
fA. IL
cape criticism on that score.
Answer to Germapy's Note.
The answer TO the German note Is
carefully phrased. so as 10 soften the
unqualified refusal OF the United States
government TO mako tho punishment of
the Chinese ring leaders condition
precedent to negotiations. Also IT Is noted
that in the expression OF a purpose to in
sist upon the ultimate and proper punish
ment of these offenders, the state depart
ment goes far beyond the German dec
laration on the subject.
The announcement that the department
intends Immediately TO begin. through
Minister Conger, conference with Prince
S-iing and IL Hung Chang although dis
tinctiy making the fact that these are
only preliminary to final negotiations.
win have the effect of forcing the other
powers 70 present an immediate demon
stration Of their policies in this matter.
The text of the correspondence follows;
Gcrmany's Proposal.
The proposal Of the German government
IN regard TO tho delivery Of the RESPONSE
hle authors OF recent crimes committed
IN Peking and the reply of tho United
States thereto:
First-The imperial German charge
d'affaires TO the secretary OF state.
crranslationD
Imperial German Embassy.
''washington, -. C. Sept. rs. 1900
"Mr. Secretary, BY direction q, the i'm
periai chancellor. | have the honor 30
respectfully communicate 70 your excel
lency the following:
THE government OF his majesty, the
emperor. considers as preliminary con-
dition for entering into diplomatic nego-
tiations with the Chinese government n
surrender Of such persons as are deter
mined upon as being the first and real
perpetrators OF the crimes committed in
Peking against international law. The
number of perpetrators who served as
tools Is too great; n wholesale execution
would be averse 20 the civilized con-
science. Furthermore. circumstances
would not allow that, even IL the group
OF leaders could be completely asccr-
tained. But the few among them whose
guilt is notorious should he surrendered
and punished. The representatives OF the
powers in Peking viii he in n position 10
make or addnce in this Investigation fully
valid testimony. The number 0f those
punished is OF less Importance than their
capture as pFinclpai instirators and lead
ers. The government OF his majesty. the
emperor believes that 81 can depend In
this matter upon the concurrence of al
the cabinets; FOR indifference toward the
idea Of a Just expiation would be e1ulva-
lent 20 Indifference toward a repetition of
the same
The government of his majcciy, the
emperor. therefore proposes 10 the inter.
estea cabinets that they reques, their
Representatives Ia Pek5ng 90 designate
principal Chinese persons whose guilt IN
the inStigation or execution Of fhc crlmee
Is beyond doubt A similar communsca-
ton IS forwarded 70 the other Interested
cabinets.
(S.gnedl f'esT'TR%REEG
G0vTrnmenTs Hrnty