The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-09
DIPLOMATISTS BUSY
OVER THE MANY NOTES ON THE
CHINESE SITUATION
IMPORTANT COMMUNICATIONS

IMPORTANT COMMUNICATIONS
Submitted to the State Department..
Frances Proposal and Germany's
Modified Proposition-Russia Gives
Notice Also of Her Approval OF
~Latter-Our Reply to Germany-The
Powers Getting Nearer Together.
Protest of Americans Against With
drawaI OF Our Troops
Washington, October 4.-Propositions
of a f~ar-reaching character concerning
China are being presented in rapid
succession to this government The
state department had no sooner dis
posed OF one of these propositions to-
day by delivering a response to the
German government, than it was con-
fronted by an even more important
proposition submitted by the French
government, and within half an hour
formally seconded by the Russian
government.
The answer to Germany covered the
subject of furnishing Chinese offenders
and made known that the United
along the lines suggested by Germany.
These instructions look toward secur-
ing the names of the persons deserv-
ing chastisement, also whether the
~punishments accord with the gravity
Of the crimes committed, IND finally in
what manner the United States and
the other powers are to be assured that
satisfactory punishment is inflicted.
Aside from these specific purposes OF
the note, it is regarded as important
chiefly in establishing the most salts
factory relations between h govern
ments at Washington and Berlin
The Franco-RuSSian proposal takes
a much broader scope and submits a
programme under which the negotia-
lions for a complete settlement a be
carried forward. The French charge,
M. Thiebault. handed the proposition
to Secretary Hay after noon today n
held a brief conference concerning it
Half an hour later M. de Wollant, the
Russian charge, arrived at the state
department and handed to Mr.. Hay a
note expressing he Russian approval
Of the propositions just submitted by
France. Mr.. Hay gave no formal an
swer to the two communications, as
they will go first to the president at
Canton.
The Franco-Russian proposition is
under four heads, namely: Punish
ment of the guilty parties; Introduction
Of the shipment of arms into China;
payment of indemnity to the powers,
and sufficient guarantees for the fu-
ture.
In addition, a suggestion is made for
the establishment of a permanent 1e-
cation guard at Pekin; for the raZing
of the Taku forts, n for the mainte-
Of a line Of communication be-
tween Pekin and the sea.
The impression here, in advance Of
action on these propositions by our
government, is that they contain moth
ing essentially uniting them to be
subjects of consideration in a fina set
Element. The difficulty which is like
ly to arise lies in the placing of proper
limitations upon the scope OF each
head. h is particularly true of the
subject of guarantees and, perhaps, OF
that of indemnity. Still, as already sug-
gested, each is undoubtedly a most
proper subject for discussion when the
ina negotiations are reached and,
therefore, M. del Cases broadest prop
ositions, while likely to consume some
time in reducing them to ultimate and
binding form, nay be said to hav a
fair reception awaiting them.
AS to the Introduction of arms, the
state department has intimated that
there may be a question as to its wis
dom, and there is reason to believe also
that Germany will not view that par
ticular feature with approval; but
there appears to be good reason to ex-
pect that a middle ground will be
reached by combining the Introduction
Of arms to a specified period, possibly
to be fixed by the time required by
China within which to pay the indem-
nifty. The chief objection to the propo-
sition is in its being permanent in its
present form.
What the United States government
particularly desires to avoid is enter
ing into a programme that cans in any
manner toward the maintenance Of a
foothold on Chinese soil, and if the
other propositions relative to the main
tenance Of a line Of free and safe COM
munication between Pekin and the
sea, and to the legation guards, can be
modified in the direction of temporary
expedients, they will be more likely to
receive the support Of u government.
It is apparent from the eompexity Of
the latest Franco-Russian proposal
that the phase Of negotiation thus mi
tiated will TAX some time to dispose of.
AMERICAS REPLY TO GERMANY.
Following is the tex or b American
reply to the German note delivered to-
day by Secretary Hay to Baron Speck
Won Sternberg, the German charge d
af1aires:
1.-THE Chinese minister communicated
to the secretary of state. on the End
inst, a telegram received by him from
Director General Sheng. conveying the
purport of an imperial edict, dated Sep
TENDER 25, 1900, by which the degrade
ton and punishment OF Prince Tuan
and other high Chinese officials is de-
creed.
THE government Of. the United
States Is disposed to regard this meas
ure as proof of the desire Of the impe-
rial Chinese government to satisfy the
reasonable demands Of the foreign pow
ers for the injury and outrage which
their nations have suffered at the
hands of evil disposed perons in China;
although it has been thought well, in
view Of the vagueness Of the edict in
regard to the punishment which some
of the inculpated persons are to re-
ceive, to signify to the Chinese minis
ter the presidents view that it would
be most regrettable if Prince Tuan,
who appears from the concurring tes-
timony of the LEGATIONS in Peki to