The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-20

of the other powers although it did
not receive such general concurrence as
/ to amount to an agreement. The Ger
man note now takes up the item of the
Russian proposal ard makes it an in
diSpenSable prerequisite to any negoti-
| ations. 1t materially differs from the
Russian expression in that the latter
made punishment a part of the negoti-
ations while the German proposition is
to make the punishment precedent to
/ the negotiations. The reported transfer
minister at Pekin from that post to
| Toxic is regarded as significant in some
quarters Those familiar with the two
posts say Toxic has less rank than Pc
kin and that the pay is less
The transfer is thought to be due to
| the strain the British minister was un-
der during the siege. but it also has the
effect of removing one of the most
prominent figures IN the current negO-
| tiations and the one who is understood
/ to have been foremost in urging severe
measures against China.
OUR REPLY TO GERMANY.
| Washington, Sept. 20.-As the state
! department has determined to adhere to
| the diplomatic proprieties in publishing
! whatever response it may make to the
last German proposition relative to the
| for the Pekin outrages, it is expected
! the text of the United States note and
| even the substance will be withheld
from publication here for at least two
days after its delivery.
It is thought the answer will take the
form of a circular addressed not to Ger
| many alone. but to each of the powers
| interested in the Chinese situation 1t
| is believed that instead of being fvn un-
conditional acceptance or rejeQs1on of
the German proposition, it will be rath-
controversial, and be framed with
purpose to develop the sentiments of the
other powers respecting the German
proposition and to secure support for
our own view of that matter.
Count Won Waldersee is steadily max
ing his way toward Pedn but as he
still needs a weeks time to complete
his journey it is not likely that the
German government will interpose ser
ious protest against any action on the
part of the United States, which will
have the effect to postpone the begin
ming of a settlement until the field mar
shall arrives 1t is impossible to tell now
whether the action which is to be taken
by our government will have such a di-
latory effect.
The Chinese minister was again at
the state department at early hour
this morning, strenuously urging the
officials to begin negotiations at once
and directly with the Chinese govern
ment if need be. He had been informed
by his own government that the techni-
cal difficulties in the way of the nego-
tiations was Minister Conger's lack of
authority. Our minister has told the
Chinese of this in this case, probably
Prince Ching, that his credentials as
minister were not sufficient to warrant
him in acting as an envoy to arrange
settlement with the Chinese govern
ment
Mr.. Rockhill also is powerless to meet
the demand for an immediate represen-
tative. Now the Chine75r officials are
asking with great urgency that special
credentials be cabled to Mr.. Conger, or
that some other properly empowered
person be Immediately designated in or
der that negotiations may begin at
once. Mr.. WI had another matter to
cor7f 11-frr
an appeal from the viceroyS of Wu
Chang and Nankin provinces that no
more international troops be landed in
their territory. They feared the exciting
effect upon the Chinese of the presence
of troops, and were willing to guaran-
tee the peace of the provinces, and the
protection of foreigners if these troops
are excluded.
The representatives of the powers here
continue to show great activity in their
search for information. In addition to
the Chinese minister the Diplomatic
callers at the state department today
We're Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese minis
ter; M Thiebaut, the French charge
d'affaires and Baron Speek Won Stern
berg, the German charge. They were
all in search of information and par
ticularly sohcitous to know what pros
pect there was of securing early respon-
ses from the United States government
to the various notes which have been
submitted by them. The response to the
German note is not now expected by
barOn Won SternDerg for a day two.
He feels no surprise at the support
given by France to the Russian PROPOSE
ton and therefore is nOt disu ppointed at
the French refusal to accept the latest
German proposition.
There were interesting dispatches to-
day from Admiral Remey and General
Chaffee. Admiral Remey's official rec
ognition of Lii Hung Chang does not
commit our government in any way the
recognition having been extended with
out doubt to Lii Hung Chang in his ca
pac1ty of viceroy of Chih Ii.
Gen. Chaffee's statement relative to
the division of his forces indicates that
ne is still carrying forward his prepar-
atlons Tor wintering his troops to the
pest advantage. 1t does not signify that
ne expects to remain in China during
the winter, but simply means that he is
preparing for eventualities
WHY RUSSIAN PROPOSAL IS RE-
London, Sept 20.-It was explained to-
day at the foreign office that it was
found tnexpedient for the powers to ac-
cept the Russian withdrawal proposal.
as the government has received infor-
nation that the boxers were ready to
reoccupy PeSin soon as the allies re-
tired"
NO REPLY. TO BERLIN.
Berlin, Sept 20.-The United States
embassy up to the time of filing this
dispatch, had not received any cable
messages from Washington regarding
the recent German note on the subject
of China.
CALLED BACK TO WASHINGTON
Portsmouth, n. H, Sept. 2o-Secre-
fary J. D. Long and LII Gage left
here at an early hour today for wash
lngton. 1t is stated that they received
summons from the president to return
OWING to the urgency of the Chinese
negotiations.