The evening times., 1900-09-19
GERMANY'S FIRM STAND.
Circular to the Powers Tnterferes
With Peace Negotiations.

Circular to the Powers Interferes
With Peace Negotiations.
The State department has received a
copy of circular forwarded to the repre-
sentatives of the German Government at
London. Paris, st. Petersburg, Vienna,
Rome, Washington, and Tokyo by the I'M
periaI German Government at Berlin. The
document was handed to Acting Secretary
Adee by Baron Won Sternburg. the German
Charge d'Af;aires and was discussed at
an informal meeting of the few members
of the Cabinet now III the city who called
this morning at the White House.
The circular demands that before any
peace negotiations are entered into the
Chinese Government must deliver up to
the allies those persons who have been
proved to be the real instigators Of the
outrages against international law which
have occurred in Pekin. 1t is further ex-
planned that wholesale executions would be
contrary to civilized conscience, and that,
as the number of those who have acted
as instruments in the outTages is so great,
it is demanded that the ringleaders only
be given up and executed
Those of The leaders whose guilt is
notorious" states the note, should De
delivered up and punished In this MAJ
ter the representatives of the powers a.
Pekin can bring forward convincing evi-
dence." The document then states that
the German Government relies upon the
unanimity of all of the Cabinets in the
matter, as the crime must be punished TO
avoid the repetition 1t is asked that each
Government instruct It's. representative
in Pekin u forward lisS of the leaders
in the outrages.
The note has created no little excitement
among the Government L:dcials. II is the
first intimation that any OF the powers de-
sired the execution Of members of the
Chinese Government il reparation for the
siege of the legations in PeBin. Coming
as it does, immediatIy after the request
from Prince Ching that he begin negotia-
tions Immediately with Afr. Conger. the cir
cular places the Administration in q posi-
tion wherein II must show its hand. To
comply with Prince Ching's request would
be to re3udiate Germany's proposition. To
agree WIN Germany would be to aid in de-
laying negotiations and TO come out in ia
vor Of a Fvar for conquest and the dismem-
berment OF the Empire.
Baron Won Sternburg, the German
| Charge, when seen at the State Depart
ment today, stated that the circular was
an absolute condition precedent 10 the
opening of any negotiations. He admitted
that the note was not final. but that I'M
less the suggestions were adopted, others,
less lenient would be proposed.
Minister Wu Ting fang called at the
State Department today to discuss the
circular with the officials.
II am indeed surprised at this action on
the part of the German Government said
he The circular imposes impossible
conditions. and is nothing more nor less
than notification of the proposed dismem-
berment of the Empire.
According TO the terms laid down,
myself may be liable to be beheadej be
cause some Government selects me as 4
/ probable leader attached TO the Chinese
| Government. The note is obviously di-
rected at the Dowager Empress and
| Prince Tuan, and as both of these are
members OF the Government. to punish
| them as suggested would be to leave he
| Empire without government. Il ; mere
! ly a scheme 10 delay peace negotiations
/ and an attempt on the part OF Germany
| to place the small end of the wedge
! of dismemberment into an intended
| breach to be made by these suggestions. -
! The President sent for Acting Secre-
| tary Adee as soon as he received the cir
cular this morning, and he was directed
! TO bring with him a copy of the request
received from Prince Ching. Either the
| circular or the request it is said must
| be acted upon favorabIy, and upon this
action depends the retention of the Amer
| lean troops in China or their immediate
withdrawal It is argued by the officials
| that If the request of Prince Ching is COM
| piled with there can be no further excuse
| for General Chaffee and his forces al Pc
| kin. If the German note is favorably
acted upon, all negotiations will be de-
clared off until the leaders have been
named and arrested. and the United States
troops must be retained for an indefinite
| period
The United States will make no imme-
| dfate reply to Emperor Williams note. 1t
was handed to Acting Secretary Adee when
| he arrived at the Department of State. and
| he at once communicated with the PreSi-
| dent concerning reply. This afternoon
Baron Sternburg, the German Charge. visit
| ed the Department Of State and was in
formed by Secretary Adee that Germany S
note would be considered tomorrow at a
meeting Of the Cabinet 1t is not yet
known what members of the Cabinet will
| be present tomorrow, but advices received
! from Secretary Long are that he will re-
| turn 20 Washington TO take part in the
| conference.