Evening star., 1900-10-02
Circular Note to Powers Regarding
Peace in China.
A MIDDLE COURSE PROPOSED
Punishment of Boxer Chiefs Not
Made a Preliminary.
HOPE FOR AGREEME ENT

PARIS, October 2.-An official of the
French foreign office today formally con-
firmed the accuracy of the details of
Frances note to the powers on the Chinese
question as telegraphed from Vienna last
night.
representative of the Associated Press
questioned the official referred 10 as to the
causes actuating the French minister of
foreign affairs in issuing the note. The Of
fetal said
M. Delcasse has been contemplate this
ction for number of days. France wants
peace and desires it eXpeditiously. The
minister Is therefore anxious 10 find mid
die course between Russia and Germany
which will meet with the approval of all.
There is no foundation for the statement
that an effort is making TO secure conti-
mental accord to the detriment of England
or the United States. We are unable to
understand exactly the course the United
States intends to pursue, whether she Will
act entirely separate under all conditions,
or whether she will negotiate in concert
with the other powers in case they reach
agreement satisfactory to her.
Germany's Note Analysed.
"Germany's note as understood here pre-
sents two propositions, one the punishment
of the guilty, the other the peace proceed
ings. While some people interpret II as
meaning that the first is an absolute con-
dition preliminary TO the second, We see no
reason why the powers should not proceed
with the treaty preliminaries with those
appointed emissaries of the Chinese gov
eminent at Pekin, while the armies seek
out and punish Prince Tuan and his guilty
associates. There Is incompatibilNy
which will not permit the two actions from
occurring simultaneously. Our hope is for
an agreement to begin negotiations. and
the ncte expresses NJ. Deicasse's ideas of
how best that end can be secured We feel
there is nothing in it antagonstic to the
interests of the United States and trust We
will receive her acQuisecence."
Recommendations of the Note.
The note recommends that the powers
shall insist upon the punishment Of the in
stigators of the outrages and of the leaders
of the Boxers. 1t advocates Immediate ne
gotiatfons with the Chinese plenipotenti-
aries regarding the material compensation
to be demanded on account of the damage
inflicted upon the missions and the COM
mercia1 interests of individuals who suf-
feled through the connivance or negligence
of the Chinese government, these negotla-
tions to include also consideration or the
indemnity due to the powers themselves.
Guarantees also to be demanded TO
prevent the recurrence of the outbreaks
France in this note. makes the additional
suggestions that the Chinese trade In arms
and ammunition be prohibited, the forts be-
tween Pekin and Taku destroyed and per-
manent guard established in each legation
at Pekin with the idea that this latter
shall become. eventually, a composite inter-
national guard. The French note argues
that this plan is best designed to preserve
the integrity of the empire and the "open
door"
1t is understood that an advance assent
to the foregoing proposals has been secured
from all of the continental powers. 1t Is
hoped that America will assent. because
the French plan meets the views expressed
in her reply to the German note, but doubts
are expressed in diplomatic circles as to the
acuuiescence of Great Britain. 1t is difficult
to conceive the grounds for these fears,
unless the French note contains something
which is not included in the foregoing
summary.