The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1900-10-18
IS ACCEPTED in PART
State Departments Reply to
French Note.
HREEREsERvATIoNs ARE MADE
As to the Permanent Legation Guard.
Dismantlinx Of Forts aud Hold
ing of Road to Pekin.

A. to the Permanent Legation Guard.
Dismantlinx Of Forts aud Hold
ing of Road to Pekin.
Washington, Oct. l3.-Tne reply OF
the state department. to the French
note. relative to the basis of Chinese
negotiations, was made public today.
1t reads as follows:
'The secretary of state to the French
charge d'Affairs. Sent to Mr.. THE
baut. October IL, 1900. Memoran-
dunn:
Tho government of the United
States agrees with that of France in
recognizing as the object to be obtain
ed from the government of China ap-
propriate reparation for the past and
substantial guarantees for the future.
"The president is glad to perceive in
the basis of negotiations put forward
in the memorandum of October 4 the
spirit that has animated the declara-
tions heretofore made by all the pow
ers interested and would be pleased to
see the negotiations begun Immediately
upon the usual verification of creden-
tials.
"It may be convenient to enumerate
the clauses Of the memorandum and
to add some observations dictated by
the attitude of the United States in the
present circumstances:
"First-The punishment of the
guilty parties who may be designated
by the representatives of the powers at
Pekin. The Chinese government has
already indicated its intention to pun.
ish a number of those responsible for
the recent disorders. The representa-.
tives of the powers at Pekin may sug-
gest additions to that list when nego-
tiatiOns are entered.
"Second-The continuance of the in.
terdiction against the importation of
rms. 1t is not understood that this
interdiction is to be permanent and the
duration of it and the details of its reg
ulation seem a proper subject of dis
cussion by the negotiators.
"Third-Equitable indemnities for
the governments, corporations and pri.
vate individuals. This is an object
desired by all the powers. The Rus
sian governments has suggested that in
case of protracted divergence of views
this matter might be commended to
the consideration of the international
court of arbitration of The Hague. The
president thinks this suggestion worthy
the attention of the powers.
tFourth-The organization in Pekin
of permanent guard for the legations
The government of the United States
is unable to make any permanent en-.
fagement of this nature without the
authorization of the legislative branch.
but in the present emergency we have
stationed in Pekin an adequate lega-
tion guard.
"Fifth-The dismantling of the forts
at Taku. The president reserves the
expression of his opinion as to this
measure pending the receipt of further
Information in regard to the situation
in China.
.'Sixth-The military occupation of
two or three points on the road from
Tien Tsln to Pekin. The same obser.
yation which has bean made in refer.
ence to No. applies also to this propo.
sition. The president is unable tc
commit the United States to perma.
uent participation in such occupation,
but he thinks it desirable that the pow
ers shall obtain from the Chinese gov.
ernment the assurance of their right to
guard their legation in Pekin and to
have the means of unrestricted access
to them whenever required.
.The president believes that the gov
ernment of France and the other pow.
ers will see in the reservations we have
here made no obstacle to the initiation
of negotiations on the lines suggested
and he hopes it will be found practica.
BILE to begin such negotiations at an
early date.
Department of State, Washington.
October IL, 1900."
The American answer to the French
note has given a satisfactory turn to
the Chinese negotiations and were 10
not for the reports of military activity
in China on the part OF some OF the
powers the outlook would be excellent
for q speedy opening OF the long de-
ferred peace negotiations. In ccmmu-
nicating the memorandum to M. THE
baut, Secretary Hay added his personal
congratulations on the course OF the
Fsench government. which he looks
upon as the initiation of q satisfactory
solution of the Chinese problem.