Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-12-08
AGREE AT LAST ON CHINA
Minister Conger Instructed to
Sign Modified Demands.
TRIUMPH OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY
The Two Main Questions at Issue,
Punishments and Indemnity, Ar
ranged In. Conformity With Views
of the United states.
VOL Xxx.

Washington, Dee. 6.-American diplo-
macy has averted prolonged strife over
China and, barring accident, has insured
the integrity of the empire, through the
adoption by the ministers at Picking of
The amended demands to punishment
and indemnity. which it is known the
Chinese government will accept Upon
receipt of news OF this satisfactory CON
rlusion of the negotiations Secretary Hay
cabled Minister Conger instructions to
sign the agreement.
In the opinion of officials and diplomats
here this result marks the most impor-
tant step yet taken toward a peaceful So
luton Information which reached here
conveyed the idea that if the powers had
approved the original demands of the
ministers contemplating the execution of
IL officials and princes and the exaction
Of an exorbitant indemnity Iii Hung
Chang and Prince Ching would immedi-
ately have rejected them. In view of the
moderation in the amended demands il is
known that they will be accepted by not
only the, Chinese ENJOYS but also the
throne.
The terms as finally formulated still in
clude several features not entirely wei
come to the American government, as,
for instance. the demands for the razing
Of the Taku forts, the Introduction of i'm
portation of arms and establishment of
permanent guards between Picking and
The sea. Yet the questions of punishment
and indemnity are the really vital ones.
AS finally adopted by the ministers the
demands upon China are that she shall
impose the severest possible punishment
the Chinese government can infiict and
pay a reasonable indemnity to the pow
ers for the killing of their citizens, dam
age to their property and expenses in
Cured in the dispatch of relief expedi-
tons
Germany's Vindictive Policy Beaten.
Germany insisted from the outset of
the trouble that only the execution of the
Boxer leaders would salve her wounded
honor, and the Anglo-German agreement
caused Great Britain to support the same
view. AS result of the vindictiveness of
Germany and of the ministers who had
undergone the siege, terms We're drafted
requiring the execution of the authors of
the outrages and the payment of an in
demnity so great that il was plain it
could never be collected. These demands
were very unsatisfactory 10 the Washing
ton authorities. Fortunately at this mo-
ment Japan indicated that she favored
moderation. Backed by Japan, Russia
and France. the president and Secretary
Hay seized the opportunity to bring about
an exchange of views between the pow
ers. Russia suggested that the demand
regarding punishment Should cali for the
eeverest punishment sho t of death that
China could inhict. ana with slight
modification, this was sdopted Great
Britain fell into line sod finally Ger
many's assent was obta, ID.
In diplomatic circle here the agree
ment thus reached is REGARDED as the re-
suit of the keen diplof cy Of Secretary
Hay. and he is given sae highest praise
for his work.
The other powers are expected to in
struct their representatives to sign the
agreement, which will then be handed TO
the Chinese ENJOYS. Negotiations regard
ing the details will promptly follow. 1t
will be within the power of the allied ma
tons even after the acceptance of the
demands by the Chinese TO insist upon
severer punishment than she administers
ia case it should be found that she is not
inficting punishments as severe as she
can safely do.