The evening times., 1900-09-25

after the Chnese-Japanese war, and the
fact that he is acting as counsellor of
sufficient by the authorities to disqualify
him from serving.
1t was stated this morning by high au-
thority that Minister Conger will not be
designated as one of the American pleni-
potentiaries to negotiate with China and
the powers for a satisfactory settlement
of the troubles. The suspicion that all is
not well between the President and his
diplomatic representative in Pekin has
been confirmed and an official of the State
Department is today responsible for the
statement that Mr.. Conger win not act as
a peace envoy. for tie reason that Mr.. Nc
Kinley cannot trust him and believes him
to be a political enemy. aEother reason
is that Mr. Conger openly stated that he
believed the Chinese Government to be
responsible for the outrages on the lega-
tions and that Prince Tuan led the forces
which shelled the legation buildings.
Despite the good authority for the
statement that political reasons have kill
ed Mr. Conger's chances as an envoy, the
friends of the latter in the State Depart
ment claim that he is a good Republican
and has always been one 1t is admitted
that the diplomat from Iowa is extremely
aggravated because of his treatment by
the authorities at Washington and that he
may not agree with Mr.. McKinley's policy
1t is this latter point which is believed to
have led to the determination OF the Ad-
ministration to keep him in the back
ground.
When questioned as to the matter this
morning a high official of the State De-
partment said that he had every reason TO
believe that Mr.. Conger would not be
made one of the American ENJOYS.
Why ConEer Is Disqualified.
There are reasons for this" said he.
| 'and it may be that they are political rea-
sons, but the mere fact that the Minister
to Pekin has already announced that he
holds the Chinese Government responsible
for his suferings, is enough to disquaIi-
fy him as a party to the negotiations.
| Aside from this, we have reason to believe
that Germany might object TO his ap-
pointment, as slap at the Administra-
| ton in return for the adverse reply 10 the
note from Berlin This could easily be
done, as Germany is to be a party to the
negotiations.
| Il have reason to believe that the Gov
ernment will have trouble with Germany
over that reply, and I learn through good
sources that the Berlin officials are ac-
cusing Mr.. Conger of many things for
which the Administration is entirely re-
sponsible and willing to acknowledge.
Personally, I see little need for with
drawing the troops, as I am confident
that they will be required in Pekin be-
| fore many days, and will be returned
there We have gone too far TO leave
| the field to Germany and the allies, and
the programme to be carried out will
end with the trial and execution of
Prince Tuan and others accused by the
| powers In such an event we will re-
| quire a force in Pekin, and that force
viii be returned from Tfentsin-
Our troubles in China have only begun
| and the diplomatic situation between the
powers was never so serious nor so strain
ed as at present.
| Baron Won Sternburg. the German Charge
d'Affaires, called at the State Department
today and held a long conference with Act
ing Secretary Hill. 1t was reported that
| the German representative protested to
Dr. Hill that the reply TO the proposal
made by Germany was not sufficient and
did not at all cover the ground, but avoid
ed the subject carefully. DR.. Hill promised
to bring the matter to the notice of the
| President
Minister Wu also called at the State De-
partment, but refused to talk, saying that
he had no news.