The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-10-11
Affairs in China.

The American note to Germany de-
livered the 4th inst, is regarding as one
of the most important moves thus far
made, not only in fixing the course of
events in China, but in giving formal
expression to growing and most salts
factory state of feeling which has arisen
lately between the governments at
Berlin and Washington. This has come
about after several conferences between
Secretary Hay and Baron Sternberg, all
of them looking toward common action
by the two governments.
The answer to Germany covered the
subject of Furnishing Chinese offenders
and made known that the United States
had instructed Minister (onger along
the lines suggested by Germany. These
| instructions look towards securing the
names of the persons deserving chastise-
ment, also whether the punishment &C.
cord with the gravity of the crimes COM
mitted and, finally in what manner the
United States and the other powers are
to be assured that satisfactory punish
ment is inflicted. Aside from the spe-
cific purposes of the note, it is regarded
as important chiefly in establishing the
most satisfactory relations between the
governments at Washington and Berlin.
Soon after dsposing of the German
note, the government was confronted by
an even more important proposition,
submitted by the French government
and within half an hour formally
seconded by the Russian government.
The Franco Russian proposition is under
| four heads, namely first, punishment of
the guilty parties; second, Introduction
of the shipment of arms into China;
third, permanent indemnity to the
powers and fourth, sufficient guarantees
for the future.
Nearly 1000 American troops are be
ing withdrawn from Chinese territory
and transferred to the Philippines.
Four large transports have been assign,
ed for the work of transporting the
troops from Taku to Manila. These are
the Warren, with capacity of 1900; the
sumner, capacity ITO; the Indians,
capacity 900, and Garonne, capacity $50.
The following is the summing up of
the basis for negotiations proposed by
France:
Frst-The punishments of the princi-
pal culprits who will be designated by
the representatives of the Powers at
Pekin
Second-The maintenance of the pro-
hibition of the import of arms.
Third Equitable indemnities to states,
societies and individuals.
Fourth The formation of perma-
nent guard for the Pekin legations.
Fifth-The dismantlement of the forth
fications
Sixth-Military occupation of two or
three points on the road from Tien-Tsin
to Pekin which would thus be always
open to the legations wishing to go to
the sea or to forces proceeding to Pekin
from the sea.
The Chinese minister at u ashington
says that If the powers regarded it as
essential that the Emperor and Empress
Dowager should return to Pekin, he was
quite confident this would be brought
about, first by giving positive assurance
of the safety of their majesties and then,
as plain evidence of this assurance,
directing that the bulk of the allied
forces now at Pekin be withdrawn to
lien Tsin or some other point, leaving
only few hundred troops at Pekln as
a guard.
Trustworthy Chinese reports say that
the Dowager Empress is seriously i'll at
Tai Yuan Flu province of Shan Sly and
the free hand of the Emperor in affairs
of state of late is regarded as confirma-
tory of these reports.
The Assoc ated Press says that all the
powers have agreed to the proposals of
the second German note, with the ex-
ception of Great Britain, from whom no
answer has yet been received to either
the first or second note of Germany.
The foreign office, however, expects
Great Britain's adhesion to the second
note, and still looks for a reply to the
first