Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-06

THE POWERS AGREE.
Modified tlons Called For by United
 States Accepted. r-a

WASHINGTOE, Dec G-The state department has been informed that the foreign ministers at Peking have reached an agreement which was submitted to the home offices. Secretary Hay cabled Mir. Conger authorizing him to sign the agreement on behalf of the United States government. It is difficult to gather de tails of the understanding at this time.
 Advices received at tine state depart ment from NIT. Conger state that the min isters have modified the agreement in ac cordance with the instructions sent to their representatives by the respective governments. The agreement was neces Sarily q compromise, but on the whole il is satisfactory to the United States, the two main points, punishments and indem nity. being arranged in conformity with the views Of the president and the secrc- tary of state. The state department has learned within the past 24 hours that an agreement such that reached would be acceptable. if not wfHlly satisfactory, to the other powers, that the formal peace conference may begin Gs soon as all the governments concerned have nOti- fled their ministers to sign.
 The main question at issue was that of runishmcnts. The ministers haQ adopted all article of the agreement which proyid- cd that 12 Chinese dignitaricS should bg executed for their complicity in the anti foreign troubles. To this the United States objected On the ground that the Chinese imperial authorities or the pow CTS were unable to infiict such severe sen tcnces on the powerful officials named. chief of whom was Prince Yuan. the ia ther of the heir apparent to the throne. Russia promptly came to the support Ct the United States in this conte.itiUn. and all the other nations followed suit with the exception of Germany. which desired the most exemplary punishment inflicted on those who were directly responsible for the murder of Baron von Nctteer.
 As a result of exchanges within the past week Germany, il is understood. has come around to this view. that the Chi nese government. which is charged by the powers with the inriiCtUn Of the punish IuentS. was unable tU carry out capital sentences On tine principal offenders The form of the demand finally incorporated in the agreement at Pekiny was suggest ed by Russia and the nited States. Ii calls for the inhiction of the sevcrest pun iShmPnt on the principal offenders that tue Chinese ;;uverHmtut ut is able to i:hict. Guarantees must br gwen that these men will be punished severely, and the pow ers must have evidence that the punish mcuts have been carried out ill good faith.
 As t0 indemnity the agreement contains a provision that the Chinese government ShuIl acknowledge liability for the inju- IieS to governments. corporations and persons and agree to pay damages. actua! and exemplary. to be fixed hereafter III such manner as the peace plenipotentia- rieS shall decide. The amounts to be paid are not fixed. nor i~ any limit of ndemni- ty named. This government and Russia favor the trans fer of the indemnity OupS- tiOn to the permanent court of arbitration at The Hague. of which cX-PreSidcnt Harrison. Chief Justice Fuller. Attorney General Griggs and Judge Gray of Dela- ware. formerly United States senator, are the American members.
 All the other demands heretofore adopt ed by the ministers are included in the agreement, with po material modi6ca- tiOnS.