Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-31
China's Acceptance Of Peace Terms
Announced.
CHING WANTS FURTHER CONFERENCE
View Taken of the Matter in Di plo-
matte Circles.
MINISTER WU'S OPINION

The Department of State has received a
dispatch from Minister Conger dated De-
cember 30, announcing that the Chinese
plenipotentiaries have notified the repre-
sentatives of the powers that the emperor
DEGREES the acceptance of their demands
as a whole and that Prince Ching requests
further conference. They also desire
that punitive military expeditions to the
interior should cease.
1t is we'll known that this last request is
in accordance with the views of the Pres
ident
View in Diplomatic Circles.
The acceptance given by the Chinese
ENJOYS is regarded in diplomatic circles
as a most ingenious stroke of diplomacy.
1t is said that it Is not an unconditional
acceptance, although it is such concur
renee of the general principle of the mass
that the powers cannot well set it aside.
1t appears to be direct, however, toward
reopening the word "irrevocable ana Sc
curing more definite and, If possible, more
moderate conditions on some of the points
involved. 1t is not clear whether the en-
voys will first sign the note and then ask
for negotiations endeaVor to ameliorate
the terms before the final signatures are
affixed. In any event, it is felt that the
graver features of the trouble are over
come by the submissive attitude of the
to perfect the details of the peace treaty
on the general lines heretofore laid down
Qualification of officials.
The action of the Chinese authorities in
this matter is a source of satisfaction to
officials here as indicating disposition on
the part Of the Chinese government to heed
the desire of the powers that negotia tlons
shall be entered upon at once and the pres
ent unsatisfactory condition of affairs ter
minated. The emperor. 1t was expected,
would instruct his agents to obtain the best
terms possible. One of the principal OBJ
jections said to have been made by the
Chinese to the location of any great num-
Der Of legation guards in Pekin is that
these guards would be menace to the ex-
listing Chinese government. = The United
States government does not desire the alb
solute demolition of the Taku forts, but
simply their dismantlement, that ready
access to the Chinese capital of a foreign
force would not be prevented. The demand
of the powers in the joint note, however,
was for the destruction of the forts. The
inquiries said to have been made by the
Chinese government Of the ENJOYS have
been regarded by the officials of this gov
ernment as reasonable, and because of this
more delay than has occurred was expected
in the courts direction for the signature of
the note.
Minister WI without Advices.
Minister WI is back from his trip to
Montclair, N. j., but is still without any
advices from Pekin as to what has been
done. The report Of an edict from the
emperor directing an acceptance. has not
yet reached the minister. SO that he had
no occasion today to confer with the State
Department. He Is somewhat puzzled as to
just what construction to place on the
Pckin dispatch. All along he has regarded
the demands conveyed in the joint note
harsh and severe, and the statement
signed r.
prise. He is inclined to believe that in
all probability what the emperor has di-
rected is that the Chinese plenipotentiaries
proceed to discuss in friendly manner
with the ENJOYS the terms of the agree
ment with a view, as stated in the Pekn
Dispatch to obtain the best terms possible
along certain specified lines and also in
others not contained in the cablegram.