The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-23
President F-rEiisis- TsT9isss like IKE
No Positive Move
In Chinese Matter Until Further
Developments.
A BILL OF EXPENSE
VIII Be Made Up and Sent to
Mr.. Conger.
Pressure on other Powers to
Reduce Their Forces.

New York, Nov. 2s.-The administra-
tion has adopted waiting policy in the
Pekin negotiations. says a Herald dis
patch from Washington No action has
been taken upon Germany's proposal to
make the execution of the boxer leaders
a condition precedent to the continuance
of negotiations. The president has de-
cided, it is understood, that this matter
can well rest until further develop
Inents show what the German and other
governments propose to do. At the
same time Mr. Conger, in accordance
with his instructions will advocate that
the powers adopt a demand which the
Chinese government can meet.
Pressure IS being applied by this gov
ernment upon other powers to bring
about a reduction of their forces IN
China The desire OF. the United States
is caused not only by the probability
that the retlrementS OF troops Will IN
duce the imperial court to return TO
Pekin, but also because the bill OF each
government for indemnity viii be
smaller According to the best 1ntor-
nation of the state department each
power intends to demand payment OF
the expenses of its expedition TO China
The longer troops stay IN the empire
the larger will be the bill. The with
drawal OF the American troops and the
establishment of a legation guard Will
result the expense dGCOuLA VI
the American army much less than
those Of other forces The war ana
navy departments have been preparing
a statement of the cost OF the army and
navy operations of this government and
as soon as they are completed they Will
be submitted to Secretary Hay, who VIII
forward them to Mr.. Conger. 1t is
doubtful If the American bill or eX-
penses Will be more than 81, 900 600. This
will be outside the demand for indem-
nifty for the killing of American mis-
siOnaries and other citizens
A WASTE OF TIME
London. Nov. 23.-A dispatch to Reu-
ters News agency from Pel1in, dated
Nov. %, says:
Competent independent Judges of the
present critical stage of the negotla-
tions opine that the consideration OF all
the peace preliminaries should be trans
ferred TO Washington, or to q. European
capital and be placed in the hands OF
plenipOtentiarieS possessed of full pow
ers to arrange the terms TO be imposed
on China Once the terms are agreed
on, they should be presented as a de-
xnand not requiring negotiations with
the Chinese commissioners. 1t is felt
that the present discussions of the min
listers, who do not possess the powers to
decide on the multiplicity of PROPOSE
tions without reference TO their govern
ments, are bound to interninably drag
out their prellminarteS and result In
long delay, causing the great uneasi-
ness in the foreign communities who
anticipate vastly increased difficulty in
reaching settlement, owing TO Lle d.
legged waste of time"
BLACK FLAGS RETURN.
New York, Nov. 23.-One thousand
black flags have returned to Canton,
says q Herald dispatch from Hong
kong. Although the rebellion has sub
sided IN the east river district. the dis
turbed villagers are repudiating the rule
of the mandarins, refusing to pay taxes
The French are extremely active, rely
ing on the visits of the gunboats as an
effective means Of settling indemnities.
Three gunbOats remain at Shantak to
enforce their claim Of ITO, 900 taels. The
rnandarins offer go per cent which has
not been accepted There are fears of
fresh outbursts of disaffeetion.
FACTS AND THEORIES
New York. Nov 23-American dis
respondent. indicate that the Chinese
situation IS regarded more seriously in
Washington than it is in London. The
theory that the British government will
iofn Germany in fnnpossible demands an
China is not supported by the facts as
understood in diplomatic circles in the
British capital Lord Salisbury object
ed to the earliest German proposals for
H'etributiOn and punishment because he
considered the general scheme inprac-
ticable. The Berlin proposals were i'm
mediately revised and the Anglo-Ger-
man agreement was negotiated. The
two powers are working together, but
clearly the British government will not
persist in demanding an impossibility
community in England require the restO-
ration of normal trade relations with
China at the earliest possible date.
England and Germany are committed
by that agreement to the American pol
icies of open door and integrity Of China
Patience and time are required for work
4ng out a diplomatic settlement, but
there is a general belief in England that
this end will be accomplished Prema-
ture action by the United States govern
ment in Withdrawing from negotia tons
will retard that settlement.
IMPORTANT TALK AT BERLIN.
Berlin, Nov. 23.-United States Am
bassador White had an important in
ferview yesterday with Baron Won Rich
&hofen, the secretary for foreign affairs
at the foreign Office. 1t is understood
the interview took place as the result of
instructions cabled from Washington
and that a somewhat lengthy discussion
between the ambassador and secretary
had reference entirely to the ideas of
the United States government regard
ing the prosecution of the war in Chi
ma and the cooperation OF the United
States with Germany and the other
European powers regarding the condi-
tions for peace, especially the penalties
to be eXacted and the indemnity to be
secured It is also understood that the
most sa atisfactOry and most friendly re-
suit was reached and that it is caIcula-
ted 10 put at rest the disquieting runnors
recently circulated regarding exhibi-
tiOns of iI-feeling toward Germany in
the American press, which it has been
pretended here, were inspired from