The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-09-23
Chinese Government Must Pun.
ish Guilty Boxers.
PLENIPOTENTIARIES WANTED
Authority Of Prince chIag and Ii Hung
Chang Recognized America VIII
Not Withdraw lis Legation
From Pekin.

~ WADAAAANI4O1s. Eept. Iz.-The state
department tonight made public the
text Of the notes addressed by II to the
governments Of Germany. Russia and
China in answer to the inquiries from
them as to the attitude Of the United
States toward the various phases OF the
Chinese problem. The forecasts Of the
notes made in the press appear to have
been accurate, for although nowhere
In the text is reference made to with
drawal Of the United States troops
from China, an official statement issued
by the navy department bears out the
prediction that the government finally
has decided upon material reduction
OF It's military force,
The answer to the German note is
carefully phrased so as to soften the
unqualified refusal OF the United States
government to make the punishment OF
the Chinese ringleaders condition pre-
cedent to negotiations. The reply Of
the United States to the German note
is In part as follows:
"CActfng Secretary Hill 10 Imperial
German Charge d'Affairs) Sir: In re-
sponse to your inquiry as to the atti-
tude Of the government Of the United
States In regard to exemplary puulsh-
ment Of the notable leaders IN the
crimes committed in Pekin against In
ternational law. have the honor to
make the following statement:
The government Of the United States
has from the outset proclaimed the
purpose TO hold to the uttermost ac-
countability the responsible authors OF
any wrongs done in China to citizens
Of the United States. II is thought.
however. that no punitive measures can
be so effective by way Of reparasion
for wrongs suffered and az deterrent
examples for the future as the degra-
dation and punishment Of the respon-
sible authors by the supreme imperial
authority itself.
"The United States is not disposed as
preliminary condition to entering in
to diplomatic negotiations with the
Chinese government to join in de-
mand that said government surrender
to the powers such persons as accord
ing to the determination Of the powers
themselves may be held to be the real
perpetrators OF these wrongs.
1T Is the purpose Of this government
at the earliest practicable moment to
name plenipotentiaries for negotiating
settlement with China and, In the
meantime, to authorize its minister in
Pekin to enter forthwith into confer
ence with the duly authorized repre-
sentatives Of the Chinese government
with a view to bringing about pre-
llminary agreement whereby the full
exercise Of the imperial power for the
preservation of order and protection Of
foreign life and property throughout
China. pending negotiations with the
powers, shall be assured"
The note handed to the Chinese min
lister is an acceptance of Prince Ching
and Ii Hung Chang as plenipotentlaries
for preliminary negotiations. In reply
to questions from the Russian gov
ernment, the United States government
states it has no present intention Of
withdrawing its legation from Pekin.
NEW YORK, Sept. PA special to
the Tribune from Washington says
Notes have been sent to the powers
clearly defining the course this gov
ernment has determined to pursue in
the Chinese situation.
The Chinese government must be
promptly reestablished and enter into
/ new treaties with adequate provision
for reparation and guarantees for the
| future. Most of the United States
troops are to be withdrawn from China
Immediately. China will be compelled
to punish her own culprits
1t Is the belief of this government
that there Is nothing to prevent the be-
ginning of negotiations without further
delay and that no occasion exists for
the protracted continuance Of troops
on Chinese territory. Cooperation with
the powers along these lines viii be
welcomed by this government which
must, however, reserve the right to act
independently on any proposition which
might lead to war with the Chinese
empire.
A memorandum viii be made public
bv the state department today. after
the notes reach their destinations, Civ
ing a full, statement Of the conditions
now existing. which VIII unmistakaDly
demonstrate lnal tne course ~ Lnc
United States has been thoroughly con-
sistent from the first and that nothing
has succeeded in swerving the admin
istration from its determination not to
become embroiled in any uiterior de-
signs other nations may have upon Chr
ma.
s According to the best available spe-
cific information. the government an
nounces It's recognition Of ii Hung
Chang and Prince Ching as the plen-
inotentiaries of the Emperor kwang
Hsu and has authorized Minister Con-
ger to open preliminary negotiations
with them at once. the United States
at the same time being prepared to ap-
point a special committee TO meet the
Chinese authorities empowered to con-
clude conventions, provide indemnity
for past injuries and guarantees for
future security.
The United States win insist, as part
Of the reparation to be demanded IN
the negotiations, that the Chinese
Iauthorities shall punish the guilty with
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