The true northerner., 1900-10-12
THE FRENCH Note
To be Considered at the Coming
Cabinet Meeting.
AN IMPORTANT ROYAL EDICT
Naming the Persons to be Punished
Looked for-Interest Centers ON
Minister Conger's Report-Li Hung
Change starts for Pelin.

Change starts for Pekin.
Washington. Oct. S.-Developments
Of any consequence in the Chinese sit
uation are not looked for until after
the return OF President Mckinley to
the capital. He is expected on Tues
day morning and on the afternoon OF
that day cabinet meeting probably
will be held when the questions pre-
scented by the French note will be
gone over in an informal way. The
French note, which recently has been
addressed TO the powers, is not regard
ed as just now OF pressing necessity
for action as several of the nations in
terested already have instructed their
representatives in Pekin TO ascertain
whether the imperial edict completely
names the persons deserving of pun
ishment and other features of the
French proposal contains propositions
which can remain in allegiance. This
government may not consider serious
ly the propositions which look to the
prohibition of arms into China and the
dismantling of the fortfications. In
terest meanwhile centers in the report
which Mr.. Conger will make regard
ing the adequacy of the punishments
to be meted out by the Chinese gov
ernment to those persons who were In
strumental in the boxer revolt and the
future course of this government may
depend largely on what the investiga-
tions now being conducted develop.
No advices have come as yet from Mr..
Conger on this subject, but this is not
surprising as the work to be under
taken is OF considerable magnitude.
Washington, Oct. 6.-PropOsitions Of
far-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, by
delivering O response to the German
government, than IL was confronted
by an even more important proposition
submitted by the French government.
and within half an hour formally Sec
onded by the Russian government. The
answer TO Germany covered the sub
ject of furnishing Chinese offenders and
made known that the United States
had instructed Minister COnger along
the lines suggested by Germany. These
instructions look toward securing the
names of the persons deserving chas-
tisement. also whether the punish
ments accord with the gravity of the
crimes committed, and 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. IL is regarded as important
chiefly in establishing the mos( salts
factory relations between the govern
ments at Washington and Berlin
Franco-RuSsinn Proposition.
The Franco-Russian proposal takes
much broader. scope, and submits
program under which the negotiations
for complete settlement can be car
ried forward The French charge VI.
Thibeaut handed the proposition to
Secretary Hay shortly after moon yes
terday. and held brief conference
concerning it, Half an hour later NJ.
de Wollant. the Russian charge, ar
rived at the state department and
handed to Mr.. Hay a note expressing
Russian approval of the propositions
just submitted by France. Mr. Hay
gave no formal answer to the two
communications. as they will 90 first
to the president at Canton. The
Franco-Russian proposition is under
four heads. namely: First. punish
ment Of the guilty parties; second, in
terdiction of the shipment of arms into
China; third, payment of indemnity 10
the powers. and, fourth, sufficient
guarantees for the future In addition
a suggestion is made for the establish
ment Of a permanent legation guard at
Pekin: for the raZing Of the Taku forts
and for the maintenance of a line of
communication between Pellin 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 final set
tlement.
We want No FOOthOId In China.
What the United States government
particularly desires to avoid is enter
ing into program that leans I'm any
manner toward the maintenance of a
foothold on Chinese soil. and If the
other propositions relative to the main
tenance Jf line of free and safe COM
munication between Pekin and the sea,
and TO the legation guards can be modi-
fed in the direction of temporary eX-
pedients, they will be more likely to
receive the support OF our government.
: 1t is apparent from the compleXity of
the latest FrancO-Russian proposal
that the pnase OF neEOllaJlon InuS
inflated will take some time to dispose
Of
Removal of American Troops.
The war department officials expect
that all the American troops which are
to be sent from Pekin to Manila will
be out OF China by the 21st inst.
Germans Checked.
London, Oct. S-The Standard has
The following from lien Tsin dated
Friday, Oct. >:
"a German force came into collision
with 5000 Chinese. described as Box
ers. few miles south Of Ten Tsin
this morning The Germans were
checked and compelled TO retire to
Tien Tsin. There is reason to believe
the Chinese in this case were not Box
ers, but were III Hung Chang's veter
ans who had been ordered TO wait nea~
here in, view OF the possibility that
the foreigners would bar his progress
to the capital"
Town Attacked by Rebels
Hong Kong, Oct. Saturday a
thousand rebels attacked the market