The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-23
THE PEACE OVERTURES
PRESENTED BY CHINA TO THE POWERS
AMOUNT TO DEMANDS
THE CESSATION OF HISTILITIES
be Granted at Once-Other Slip
ulatfons as to Conquered Nation
Set FoFth-French Minister Demands
volt Before Negotiations Are Opened.
Conger Authorized to Deal With the
situation.

tive Of the Associated Press learns that
finally succeeded in drawing a joint
proposal for a settlement. This has
been received by the powers. Beyond
the fact that 1t is likely to require con-
siderable alteration before proving ac-
ceptable, nothing is ascertainable here |
regarding the actual terms. The Chi
nese minister here processes ignors
OF such a proposal, but it can be def
nitely said that it is now engaging the
attention Of the British foreign office.
Washington, October 1s.-For the
first time in three days Minister Con-
ger was heard from at the state de-
partment today. E~ communicated by
cable the substance of certain propo-
sitions advanced by Prince Ching and
Ii Hung Chang as a basis for the con-
duct Of negotiations for a Settlement
Of the Chinese trouble. The Chinese
government had prepared the way for
these by a preliminary action looking
toward the punishment of Chinese Off
Gals guilty of completely in the Boxer
uprising, and while the text of Mr..
Conger's communication is not made
public, it is believed that the last Chi
nese advance is addressed to some of
the propositions contained in the
French note, being in the nature of
counter proposals and proceeding upon
the theory that what has been done in
the matter of punishments is sufficient
to meet the demands of the powers in
that respect.
CONGER HAS AUTHORITY TO ACT.
1t was learned at the state depart
ment that Mr.. Conger's previous in
structions fit him perfectly to deal
with the new phase of the Chinese
situation, developed by the general &C
ceptance of the French note as the ba-
sis for action. Yesterday NJ. Thiebaut,
the French charge here, called at the
state department and proposed to the
secretary the immediate institution at
Pekin of negotiations for a settlement,
and it appears that the secretary then
agreed to do his part. His promise
was made verbally and it may not be
reduced to writing at all, but Mr.. Con-
ger is already acting in conformity
Herewith. Most of the powers have
accepted the French note with reServa-
| tions, but is is said that they all agree
upon a sufficient number of points Of
the first magnitude to warrant the as
sembling of the diplomatic body at Pc
kin to begin the work of formulating
objects of common desire and reconcil-
ing divergent views.
1t is probably that to this body will
be referred the latest Chinese counter
proposition received today by cable
from Mr.. Conger.
Paris, October 1S.-RuSSia, Austria,
Germany and Great Britain having
already replied affirmatively to NJ. del
Cases note, he is notifying the pow
erS Of the acceptance of the first note
and is asking each of them to instruct
their ministers to Pekin to begin peace
negotiations. Favorable replies were
expected from all. NJ Pichon, the
French minister at Pekin. therefore,
has been instructed to place himself in
touch with the ambassadors and Chi
nese emissaries for the purpose of
opening negotiations at the earliest
moment
THE ADVANCE ON PAO TING.
Pekin, Wednesday,. October 1.-THE
Pekin column of the Tao Ting Flu eX-
petition arrived at a point six miles
south of Chi Chow yesterday without
encountering opposition. They found
the heads of fourteen Boxers on the
walls at Chou Choon, and they killed
seven of the imperial troops. Field
Marshal Won Waldersee has arrived
here and has been accorded full military
honors. He was accompanied by an
escort of international troops to the
palace of the dowager empress.
REPLY TO CHINESE EMPEROR.
Washington, October 1S.-Secretary
Hay said today that the reply to the
message of the emperor of China
thanking the president for the attitude
of the United States and expressing
hope of a speedy settlement had been
dispatched. 1t was purely formal in
character; it thanked the emperor for
his expressions and Joined in the hope
Of a speedy and satisfactory peace.
CHINA'S DEMANDS ON POWERS.
Paris, October 1S.-The Havas Agen-
cy has received the following dispatch
from Pekin:
THE diplomatic corps has received a
joint note from Ii Huns Chang and
Prince Ching saying it is time to end
and that the princes who were accom-
plices Of the Boxers will be handed
over to the courts to be judged and
punished according to Chinese laws.
I'm their quality of plenipotentiaries
Ii Hung Chang and Prince Ching offer
to treat for peace and accept the prin-
cipal of indemnitieS for the legations
destroyed. The losses are to be esti-
mated by delegates of the powers.
European nations can be accorded
fresh commercial advantages on the
old treaties modified, but, as the re-
quirements of the powers vary, each
power must formulate its own.
The plenipQtentiarieS emand en-
immediate cessation of hostilitIes be-
cause of their offer and request an in
terview with the yamen for OCTOBER
21St.
Replying to the note NJ. Pichon. the
French minister, said that China, hav-
ing recognized that she had violated
the law of nations, was bound 10 &C.
cept. for that very reason, the respon-
sibilities involved. Consequently he de-
manded that exemplary punishment
be inflicted upon the principals guilty
Prince Tuan Prince Chwang kdng vi
and Tung Flu Hsang. adding that so
long as their heads had not fallen -
impossible to cease hostilities."
She Had IrSod Hot Watar