The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-10-18

ihttnE 10 IermHnent 6uardb ana HnZ-
ing of orts Deferred.
Washington Especially The reply Of
the State Department to the French
note relative to the bases of Chinese
negotiations has just been made pub
lie.
The answer has given a satisfactory
turn to the Chinese negotiations, and
were 1t not for the reports of military
activity in China on the part of some
OF the Powers the outlook would be
excellent for speedy opening Of the
long-deferred peace negotiations. Be-
sides answering the specific PROPOSE
tions advanced by the French govern
ment, the American reply expresses
cordial approval Of the course taken
by France. The memorandum closes
with phrase in which the Presl-
dent expresses the belief that, in tho
eyes of the French government, the
reservation which this government
has made on constitutional grounds
VIII not be understood as preventing
the opening of negotiations, as the
President hopes they will begin at an
early date.
The reply reads as follows:
The Secretary of State to the French
Charge d'Affaires.
CSent to M. Phiebaut October 10, 1900.
Memorandum.
The government of the United States
agrees with that of France in recog-
nizing as the object to be obtained
from the government of China appro-
pirate reparatlon for the past and sub
stantial guarantees for the future.
Tho Drnci6pnt ic ~. To t.,
the bases Of negotiation put forward
in the memorandum of October 4 the
spirit that has animated the declara-
tions heretofore made by all the
powers interested, and would be pleas
ed to see the negotiations begun i'm
mediately upon the usual yerification
of credentials.
1t may be convenient to enumerate
the clauses of the memorandum and
to add some observations dictated by
the attitude of the United States in
the present circumstances.
81. The punishment of the guilty
parties who may he designated by the
representatives of the Powers in
Pekin."
The Chinese government has al
ready indicated it's intention to pun
ish a number of those responsible for
the recent disorders. The representa-
tives of the Powers at Pekin may sug-
gest additions to that list when nego-
tiations are entered upon.
"Second-The continuance of the in
terdiction against the importation Of
arms"
1t is not understood that this inter-
diction is to be permanent, and the
duration of it and the details of its
regulation seem proper subject Of
discussion by the negotiators.
"Three-Equitable indemnities for
the governments, corporations and
private individuals"
This is an object desired by all the
Powers. The Russian government has
suggested that in case of protracted
divergence of views, this matter might
be commended to the consideration of
the international court of arbitration
of The Hague. The President thinks
this suggestion worthy the attention
of the Powers.
"Fourth-The organization in Pekin
of permanent guard for the lega-
tions."
The government of the United
States is unable to make any perma-
nent engagement of this nature with
out the authorization of the legisla-
tive branch, but in the present emer-
gency we have stationed in Pekin an
adequate legation guard.
"Fifth-The dismantling Of the
forts at Taku."
The President reserves the express
sion of his opinion as to this measure
pending the receipt of further infor-
nation in regard to the situation in
China.
"Sixth-The military occupation OF
two or three points on the road from
Tien Tsin to Pekin."
The same observation which has
been made in reference to No. ap-
plies alao to this proposition. The
President is unable to commit the
United States to a permanent partici-
patton in such occupation, but he
thinks it desirable that the Powers
shall obtain from the Chinese gov
ernment the assurance of their right
to guard their legations in Pekln and
to have the means of unrestricted nc
cess to them whenever required.
The President believes that the
governments of France and the other
Powers will see in the reserves we
have here made no obstacle to the in
itiation of negotiations on the lines
suggested, and he hopes it will be
found practicable to begin such nego-
tiations at an early day.
Department of State, Washington,
October 10, 1900