The National tribune., 1900-10-11
PEACE IN SIGHT.
Negotiations Looking to the Restoration
of Order in China and the Punishment
of Boxer Chiefs.

The Chinese question still remains un-
settled. The United States troops, except
a legation-guard, are out of Peking, how
ever; so are the Russians, and news has
reached Washington from the European
chancellories indicating that complete
agreement as to China is in sight. The
accord of Russia is stronger than at first
understood and the reports show that all
the European Nations probably are plac-
ing themselves in position to take advan-
tage of the opening made by the United
States, and soon will be ready to begin
negotiations for a settlement with the Chi
nese Government. Russia and France are
understood as ready to begin at once.
Either Germany's position has been Dlis-
understood or she has changed her mind.
At any rate, the German Government,
upon inspection of the plans for settle
ment projected by the United States, finds
nothing therein inconsistent with the Ger
man aspirations. 1t is probable that all
negotiations will take place at I'ien Tsin.
Emperor William had a correspondence
during last week with Emperor Kwang-
Su regarding the murder of Baron Won
Ketteler. Kwang-Su, writing from Tai
yuenfu, deplored that Ketteler should
have fallen "a victim to the rising which
suddenly broke out in China without our
officials being able to prevent it" Kwang-
Su, in view of past relations, hoped that
Emperor William would renounce all re-
sentiment, so peace might be arranged as
soon as possible.
While the Emperor Williams note was
sent Sept. 30, the edict ordering punish
ment to certain officials was dated Sept.
%. The culprits are Prince Chwang,
Prince Yih, Secondary Princes Tsai Lien
and Tsai Ian, and the President OF the
Censorate, Ying Men, and Kang vi, AS
sistant Grand Secretary and President of
the Civil Board. and Chao Shu- -Chiao,
President of the Board of Punishment
These are all handed over to various
boards for decision as to their exact pun
ishment. The punishment of certain 9TH
ers may be insisted upon later.
AS for Yung Lu, one of the men ap-
pointed as Peace Commissioners, there
has been no protect against him as hav-
ing been concerned with the Boxers 1t
is thought the matter may come to an is
sue when the sufficiency of credentials is
examined.
1t is believed that the present encour-
aging outlook has been brought about
very largely by the harmonious sentiments
developed between this Government and
that of Germany concerning the future
course. Since the return of Mr.. Hay he
has had several conferences with Baron
Won Sternberg, the German Charge, which
have been OF such character as to indi-
cate that the purposes Of the two Gov
ernments were much alike, and that, what
ever might have been contemplated they
were now proceeding toward a common
end for the solution of the difficulty.
Meantime plans are under consideration
by which the Powers will see that China
carries out her announced purpose of pun
ishing the guilty. Germany, it is under
stood, on Oct. 4, sent a note to the Pow
ers regarding the edict of punishment, and
submitting the proposition that the Pow
ers instruct their diplomatic representa-
tives in China to give their opinion upon
the following points:
Whether the list contained in the edict
Of persons to be punished is sufficient and
correct! Whether the punishments pro-
posed meet the case? In what way the
Powers can control the carrying out Of the
penalties imposed?
This note, it is said, has met with
good reception.
France issued a note on Oct 5 to the
effect that the Foreign Minister had ''in-
structed the representatives of France to
sound the Powers whose troops are CO.
operating with ours in the extreme East
regarding the adoption of a common pro-
gram for the negotiations with China"
France submits six propositions, as a
basis for negotiations to be entered upon
Immediately after the usual verification
of the Powers. These include the pun
ishment of the principal culprits, the
maintenance or the prohibition of the i'm
port of arms, equitable indemnities to
states, societies and individuals, the for
nation of permanent guard for Peking
legations, the dismantlement of the forti-
ficatiOns and military occupation of a few
points on the road from Tien Tsin.
Some Of the Powers have already in
structed their representatives to ascertain
whether the Imperial edict completely
names the persons deserving of punish
mont Tho ntbar faa Of ha H.
proposal contain propositions which can
remain in allegiance. Interest here mean
while centers in the report Mr.. Conger
will make regarding the list and the ade-
quacy of the pupishments to be ordered
meted out by the Chinese Government.