The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1900-09-22
MINISTER WI A l0G|C|AN.
The Chinese Minister at Washing.
ton Greatly Perturbed Over
the Note From Germany.
M HOPES GERMANY WILL RECONSIDER.
IT.. Argues that the Condition linz
posed is Simply Impossible, and,
Being Impossible, Its Effect
would be to Bring Peace NeEo-
tiations to a Standstill.

Washington, Sept. 20.-Minister WI
Ting Fang was greatly interested in
Germanys note to the powers asking
combined action in a demand that
those responsible for the trouble in
China be punished as an indispensa-
BILE preliminary to any peace negoti-
atoms. When seen at the legation, he
had before him a copy of the pub
lshed text of the note.
Can Hardly Believe II.
~ can hardly believe that this step
has been TAKEN" said he, "and If it
has, it is so unfortunate in its in
fuence upon the general question
that / am greatly in hopes Germany
will reconsider. The condition inn
posed upon China would be very hard.
II would amount to determining one
of the subjects Of the negotiation be-
fore negotiations had commenced.
Chinese Envoys' Powers.
The Chinese powers are invested
with complete power to make terms
with the powers, so that when the me-
gotiations are opened, this question
and all others will be proper sub
iects for consideration and final set
Element by those having complete au-
thority to deal with them. But to
take one subject up in advance, settle
it, and make its execution an indis-
pensable preliminary to negotiations,
Is extremely hard.
A Logical Argument.
"But more than this, such a condi-
ton, il imposed, is simply impossi-
bic, and, being impossible, the effect
would be to bring the peace ncgotia-
tons to a complete standstill. Sup
pose the situation was reversed and
this unfortunate trouble had occurred
in some of the countries now dealing
with China. In the midst OF excite
ment. suspicion might have been d.
rected against persons high in au-
thorty, even against the members of
the royal family in that country.
Would Another Country DO Itf
Would that country, when the
question OF settlement came up, for
moment consider the surrender Of
those persons vaguely suspected, or
would it not ask that all quetisons
be considered by the court which was
to pass upon the entire subject? Who
could tell to whom this condition would
apply? There have been limitations
against those very high in Chinese
affairs, but il would be very hard
yes, impossible, TO say in advance, be.
fore the negotiations had considered
the question, that these persons
should be given up.
who Would Furnish the Prooft
Who would furnish the proof? IL
Ia an indispensable requisite, accord
ing to your recognized judicial meth
DDS, that persons accused have the
right TO be heard, and that their cyi.
dcnce shall be taken into account in
proving an accusation. But accord.
Ing to this proposal, there would be
surrender Of the party first, before
~ t'''"'''N hhfl Nll bHI''i Nhll'N
to consider all questions which might
be presented,
In SIN Hopeful.
Under these circumstances | am
most hopeful that Gcrmany's note Is
less positive than the published re-
ports indicate. The Indications have
been that the difficulties over begin.
ming peace negotiations had been
overcome, and that very soon the me-
gotiations would begin. ! feel that
IL would be unfortunate 10 impose u
condition which, being impossible,
would bring the negotiations to n
halt,
DISADVANTAGE 10 All Concerned,
The effect Of such n step In all pro-
ceedings would be of disadvantage OF
oil parties concerned, TO the powers
az well MS TO China. In short, It's eff
fects would be so far-reoching that !
am extremely anxious that Germany
may see her way clear TO reconsider