Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-23

oAileN
ID The Imperial German Charge |
dAHaires to the Secretary of State;
CTranslation.)
ISperial German Embassy,
Washington, Sept. Is, 1900.
Mr.. Secretary-By direction of the
to respectfully communicate TO Your
EXcellency tho following:
The government of His Majesty the
Emperor considers as 81 preliminary
condition for entering into diplomatic
negotiations with the Chinese govern
ment surrender of such persons as
are determined upon as being the first
and real perpetrators of the crimes
committed in Pel>in against interna-
tional law. The number of perpetra-
tors who served as tools is too great;
q wholesale execution would be averse
TO the civilized conscience. Further
more, circumstances would not allow
that even the group of leaders could
he completely ascertained. But the
few among them whose guilt is noto-
rious should be surrendered and pun
ished The representatives OF the Pow
ers in Pekin Will be in a position TO
make or adduce in this Investigation
fully valid testimony. The number OF
those punished Is OF less Importance
than their character as principal in
stigators and leaders. The govern
ment of His Majesty the Emperor be-
lieves that 1t can depend in this mat
ter upon the concurrence of all the
Cabinets, for Indifference towards the
idea of just exDiation would be
equivalent to indifference towards
repetition of the crime.
The government of His Majesty the
Emperor, therefore. proposes to the in
tcrested Cabinets that they request
their representatives in Pekin to des-
ages whose suit in the instigation or
execution OF the crimes Is beyond a
doubt
a similar communication is forward
ed to the other interested Cabinets
Requesting of your EXcetiency, re-
ply as soon as is practicable, / embrace
this occasion to tender the assurances
of my most distinguished consideration.
STERNBERG.
CID (Acting Secretary Hill to the
Imperial German Charge q Affaires).
Department of State,
Washington, Sept. 81. 1900.
Sir: In response to your inquiry OF
the 18th instant as to the attitude of
the Government of the United States In
regard to the exemplary punishment OF
the notable, leaders in the crimes COM
mitted in Pekin against International
law, | have the homer to make the
following statement:
The Government of the United States
has from the outset proclaimed It's pur-
pose tQ hold to the uttermoSt accounta-
wrongs done In China to citizens of the
United States and their interests, as
was stated in the Governments circu-
lar communication 10 the Powers of
July 3 last. These wrongs have been
committed not alone in Pekin, but In
many parts OF the empire, and their
punishment is believed 10 be an essen
tai element of any effective settlement
Which shall prevent II recurrence of
such outrages, and bring about per-
manent safety and peace In China. II
Is thought. however, that no punitive
measures can be so effectivc by way of
reparation for wrongs suffered and MS
deterrent examples for the future as
the degradation and punishment OF the
responsible authors by the supreme
imperial authority itself: and IL seema
only Just to China that she should be
AFFORDED In the first instance an oppor-
tunity to do this. and thus rehablitata
herself before the world. Believing
thus, and without nbating In any wise
Its deliberate purpose to exact the fun
est accountability from the responsible
authors OF the wrongs we have suffered
In China, the Government OF the Uni
ted States liz not disposed. as Il preiirn-
mary condition to entering into dipo-
matte negotiations with the Chinese.
government, to join in demand that
said government surrender TO the Pow
ers such persons as. according to the
determination of the Powers them
c.s may be fIeidi to be tire first and
real perpetrators of those wrongs On
the other hand this Government is dis
posed TO hold that the punishment OF
the high responsible authors of these
WRONGS, not only In Pekn. but through,
out China, IL essentially condition to
be embraced and provided for In the
negotiations for final settlement II
is the purpose of this Government, ut
the earliest practicable moment, to
name its plenipotentiaries for negotiat-
inc n settlement with China. and in the
to authorize it's minister in
Pekin to enter forthwith into confer
ence with the duly authorized repre-
sentatives of the Chinese government,
with view to bringing about n pre-
urinary agreement whereby the full
exercise of the imperial power for the
of order and the protec-
ton of foreign life and property
China. pending negotia-
= Accept. sir. the renewed assurances
OF my highest consideration.
DAVID ]. HILL.
Acting Secretary.
PRINCE CHING's APPOINTMENT.
Concerning the appointment OF
Prince Ching as plenipotentiary:
Q)-Handed to Mr. Adee by the Chi
nese Minister. MIR. WI, September II,
1900. 1915 a. M;
CapteEruIn from Illilct INNS, uatSu
Cat Pekin) September 8, 1900. trens-
initted by the Chinese minister at st.
Petersburg on the 18th instant to Min
lister WI, who received it on the night
of the same day:
Foreign troops having entered Pekin,
and their maiesties. the Empress Dow
ager and the Emperor having gone
westward on q tour. hnve received an
imperial edlct appointing me envoy
plenipotentiary with full discretionary
powers. in conjunction With Gra Nd
Secretary III Hung Chang. to negotiate
peace. Please inform Secretary OF
State and request that, in view OF the