The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-10-11
PEACE NOW IN SIGHT.
AGREEMENT is LIKELY ON CHI.
NESE QUESTION.
Germauy's Change of Policy Indicates
q Desire to Come Into Line with the
Other Powcrs-A Permanent Settle
mcnt Seems Possible.

1t appears that there is close ap
proach to an understanding among the
powers in regard to the Chinese qucs-
tion. Friday brought important develop
ments, and it seems not too eNtravagant
or optimistic to express the opinion that
an agreement upon the basis OF peace
and a permanent settlement is at last IN
sight To begin with. the German gov
ernment has withdrawn the demand for
the surrender to the foreign commanders
of the original instigators of the attacks
upon the legations. 1t has not done this
in express terms, to be sure, hut the log
ical inference from the new note OF the
Berlin foreign office is unmistakable.
The point which William previously
urged as the one condition upon which
negotiations could be opened was that
China must surrender its guilty officials
to the powers, who were to be the judges
Of their guilt and determine the penalty
therefor. The German Emperor's late
note to Kuang-Hsu, however. simply de-
manded that punishment be imposed and
implied that the infiction Of adequate
punishment by China itself would be sat
isfactory. The note to the powers now
confirms the fact of n change of front
on the Emperor's part. 1t asks for opin-
ions as to whether the list of persons
China proposes to punish lis sufiiclent
and correct" whether the punishments
proposed are ample and how the powers
propose to control the carrying out Of the
penalties imposed. Germany thus seems
to be coming into line with the other
powers.
Tn, bo oJ; of fha En,narpr nf China
ordering the punishment of number of
princes and dignitaries, including the
chief offender, Tuan, Germany perceives
''the first sign of practical basis for the
re-establishment of an orderly state OF
things in China" 1t welcomes this indi-
cation and proposes that each of the pow
ers in the concert instruct its diplomatic
representatives i'm China to give their
opinion, after due inquiry, on the follow
ing points:
1. Whether the list contained in the
edict of persons to be punished is sufii-
cient and correct.
g Whether the punishments proposed
meet the case.
3. In what way the powers can control
the carrying out of the penalties impos-
ed.
The United States has been prompt in
giving its Endorsement to the new Ger
man proposal, and it has directed Minis
ter Conger to report upon the questions
above specified. II the edict is not a
sheer pretense. China has herself remOv-
ed the chief obstacle to peace.
The Franco Russian proposition, which
reached this government almost stimuli
taneously with that of Germany, is not
in any sense inconsistent with it. 1t is
broader in scope and looks beyond the
important initial step" Of punishment.
Here are its terms:
1. Punishment Of the guilty Chinese Of
ficials.
2. The Introduction of arms and NUM-
tions of war to China.
3. The payment of indemnity to the
powers.
4. A sufficient Chinese guaranty for the
future.
Under the last head it is suggested that
the Taku forts be destroyed and a line of
communication established between Pc
kin and the seaboard. This means that
the guarantees are not to be wholly on
paper and in the form of mere assurances
of good behavior.