Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-11-03
INDEMNITY FROM CHINA
Instructions Sent to Minister
Conger.
ANSWER TO ANGLo-GERMAN PACT.
Secretary Hny Formally Accepts the
First and second Articles aud Says
the Third Does Not Concern the
United states.

FtF$t anu second ArfteRcs anu say
the Third Does Not Concern the
United states.
instructions bearing upon the indemnity
this government viii demand of China
have gone to Minister Conger.
Administration officials decline to dis
euss the character of the instructions.
but the demands this government Will
submit will be moderate. They Will cenn-
prise restitution Tor injuries suffered by
Americans and the damage done their
property and reimbursement of expenses
incurred IN sending the expedition 10
China, Ii cannot be learned that this
government has determined upon the eX.
act amsunt to be demanded. but what
ever Il Is it will probably be accepted in
Chinese bonds, which are 20 be taken up
hy China in installments.
Ii il likely that Germany win file a
claim VI several millions for the death Of
Baron yon ketteler. the German minis
ter.
So far as the information of the depart
ment goes, satisfactory progress is being
made by the ministers in reaching agree
ments as to the demands to be submitted
to China. II will probably be some time
before the deliberations of the ministers
are concluded and the demands are pre-
scented.
Secretary Hay has made public his note
to the British aud German ambassadors
relative TO the Anglo-3erman agreement.
As has been stated the United States an
nounees lis adherence to the principles Of
the integrity of China and the open
door" and asserts that as the third article
relates to an arrangement between the
high contracting parties il cannot, express
an opinion with respect to 1t. The note
reads
Mr.. Hays Note.
Excelency--i have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your note of the 23d Of October in
closing the text OF agreement between Great
Britain and Germany relating 70 affairs In China.
which was signed In London on the 10th inst, by
the Marquis Of Salisbury and the German en-
bafsador on behalf Of their respective govern
ments and inviting the acceptance by the United
States oi principles recorded in that agreement.
Thess principles are:
First II Is matter Of joint and permanent
international interest That the ports on the rivers
and itfDral Of China should remain free and open
to tra2g a.d to every other legitimate form q
seorss.h, .itaisity fsf she nationals u all coun
tries witho<It distinction. and the two govern
nents agree on their part 60 uphold the same for
all Chinese territory Tar as they can exercise
influence
'second Her Britannia maiesty's government
and the imperial German government viii not on
their part make use OF the present complication
to obtain for themselves any territorial ad,an-
tages in Chinese domnions and will direct their
policy toward maintaining undiminished the ter
ritorial condition OF the Chinese empire
The United States have heretofore made known
their adoption Of both these principles. During
the last wear this government invited the powers
interested in China TO join in an expression o.
views and purposes in the direction % impartial
trade with that country and received satisfactory
assurances to that effect from all of them. When
the recent troubles we've at their height, this gov.
eminent the Sd OF july, once more made an
announcement OF its policy regarding impartial
trade and the integrity OF the Chinese empire aud
had the qualification Of learning that all the
powers held similar views, and since that time the
most gratifying harmony has existed among all
the nations concerned as TO the ends to be pur-
sued and there has been little divergence Of opln'
ion as to the details Of the to be followed.
II Is therefore with much satisfaction that the
president directs to inform you OF the full sym
patty OF this government with those OF her
Britannia majesty and the German emperor in
the principles set forth in the clauses OF the agree
ment above cited
The third clause Of the agreement provides;
''fhird-ln case OF another power making use
OF the complications in China in order to obtain
under any form whatever such territorial advan-
tages the two contracting parties reserve to them
selves TO come to a preliminary understanding as
10 the eventual steps TO be taken for the protec.
ton OF ther own interests in China"
As this clause refers to reciprocal arrangement
between the two high contracting powers the gov
ernment Of the United States does not regard il.
self as called upon 10 express an opinion in re-
speet to it.
A similar note, mutatis mutandis, has
been addressed by the secretary of state
to the imperial German charge d'affaires.