Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-11-17
TAKE NO STOCK.
United States Government Not
Worried by Comment.
British and Continental Press Crit.
cisms Have no Weight with Us, as
Our Course Was Dictated by and
Consistent with Common Sense
Has Neither Attempted to Dom.
ineer Powers Nor Tried to Enter
Concert-Notes on the Chinese Sit.
uation.

Washington. Nov. IL. The criticisms
on the American Chinese policy are
causing the government no concern, since
1t is conscious that its course has been
consistent and common-Sense. 1t Is
very probable that the Sc structures are
The structures are regarded here as
trareable to one source-the American
correspondence OF the London Times
the English press generally taking its
cue from The Times. and some of the
continental newspapers falling into line
with their English contemporaries.
What puzzles everyone in Washington is
to know where the correspondent picked
up 50 much false information.
The government of the United States
has been perfectly consistent in its course
from the beginning Of the Chinese
trouble. 1t has not attempted to DOM
ineer over the European powers on the
one hand, nor has it kept out Of the con-
cert on the other. 1t did not go into the
Paoting expedition for reasons which the
sequel has abundantly justified, and
which unquestionably appeal to the
where. 1t did not attempt to dictate
froi. Washington the list Of Chinese Off
cals who should be beheaded, or when
and where the death penalty should be
executed. or what means should be
taken to attest the fulhllment of this
program of blood atonement; all these
things it has l,ft to its minister in the
diplomatic conference. believing that
with his superior opportunities he would
know better than anyone here what
ought to be done, and also what ought
to be demanded, for our government has
fully recognized from the outset that
no matter what the merits Of the case. 1t
would be folly to hinge all the peace
regotia tionS upon q demand for mpos-
sibilites.
But, on the other hand, 1t has con-
tiIually urged and spurred Minister
ConSer to action, and to the use of his
influence to press the council of min
listers to a speedy conclusion of their
york. 1t has never for moment re-
ne unced its claim to indemnity, though
1t has left the amount and the time and
manner of it's payment to be decided on
the spot.
When the full record Of the peace ne
gotiations comes to be published, the
Washington administration feels that
1t has nothing to fear from the showing
1t will make. 1t is believed that the
St ntiment behind the foreign criticisms is
chagrin at the neglect OF our government
10 pay uue ueIercHce 10 ne German
policy Of vengeance.
The fact that we have insisted simply
upon the restoration Of the peaceful
status which existed before the Boxer
outbreak, and for proper indemnity
for the losses of life and property from
which it was the business of the Chinese
government to have protected the for.
eigners in China, has been source of
discomfort to devOut worshippers of the
German war lord from the outset of the
allied movement.
In pursuance Of the task OF peace
making in hand, the Pekin envoys have
received instructions from their home
governments which have apparently ia
cilitated their work. After Mondays
conference, general satisfaction was ex-
pressed with the progress made, and ac-
cording to Minister Conger the prospect
of speedy completion of this wearisOme
preliminary work is decidedly better
than it has been.
This is cheerful news, for the need of
speedy peace and quick restoration of
normal conditions In China becomes
daily more apparent. Commerce is dead
and bandits flourish. The presence of
foreign soldiery is never an economic
benefit to n people, and famine, due to
the failure Of the rice crop, promises to
become a serious factor In the situation
in north China.
At the same time 1t must not be for
gotten that this improved outlook re-
lates only to preliminaries, and that the
real difficulties are still in the future
The grave questions how China can COM
ply with demands for the execution of
leaders and generals who virtually have
the 81 Ngan court in their power, how
the great indemnities are to be financed
how guarantees for the future are to be
secured, and how the divergent ambi-
tionS of the powers are to be held in
check in the negotiations to come are
yet to be answered.
Another new point has come up In
Pekin in the shape of the suggestion that
Prince Tuan, will be an unsafe person
to allow at the head of Chinese affairs in
the event of Kwang Su's death. Not
only would his filial instincts set him
against foreigners who de manded Tuan's
head. but his training is said to have been
anti-foreign.
London, Nov. 15.-It Is pleasing to
learn, says The Times editorially this
that the American government
deem their attitude msconceived. The
emanating from Washington
would be quite satisfactory were 1t not
for further qualification, which seems
to be implied by the presumption enter
tanned that the ministers will not ex-
act reparation beyond the power Of
China to carry out" We are no advo-
Gates Of eNtravagant demands, but, IL
the Chinese court is to have any voice
In settling what is within its power to
execute the demand for the execution Of
the real criminals becomes farce.
Prus sels, Nov. 15.-In the senate yes
terday, the minister of foreign affairs,
NJ. De Favercan, made the following
THE government does not
military operations in
China, nor the formation of gendarmerie
We are seeking to acquire a piece of
Chinese territory. but as simple settle
Tent only, and without political import
ance. The acquisition will be made at
Return Of RoyaIst Trouble.
Paris. Nov. 14.-The Figaro this morn
ng makes the following sensational
A recrudescence of royal
SIN is imminent. The Duke of Orleans
las ordered meetings in all wards of
Paris. and the movement will be extended
o the departments when we'll on foot
n the capital.