New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-07
ANSWER TO FRENCH NOTE
THIS GOVERNMENT MAY NOT BE ABLE
TO APPROVE ALL THE PROPOSALS.

Washington Oct. 6.-The American answer to
the French note, which is the pending phase Of
the Chinese negotiations to be disposed of, has
been pretty we'll defined. although it will remain
for the return Of the President and meeting Of
the Cabinet to give the answer formal definite
ness. Already, however. intimations have been
conveyed to some Of the foreign representatives
that this Government may not be able TO concur
in the Introduction of the import Of arms into
China and also that there may be serious con-
stitutional reasons requiring at least two Of the
French proposals TO be submitted 10 Congress
before they be acted upon afirmatively.
These two propositions relate to the establish
Tnent Of permanent Legation guard at Picking
and to the permanent maintenance of a line Of
communication from Picking to the sea. The
permanency Of these plans appears to involve
possibility Of territorial occupation, though of
limited character, both at Picking and along the
road from Picking to the sea- and IT. is under
stood that even If these moves were regarded
with favor by the Executive branch constttu-
tional reasons would make 1t desirable 20 submit
them TO Congress. This idea has been put for
ward only in a tentative way, indicating to
the foreign representatives some Of the ques-
lions which Will have TO be taken into account
in giving an answer to the French note. The
document is not regarded. however as one
which must be accepted or rejected as whole.
The efforts of NJ. Delcasse to secure basis Of
settlement are fully appreciated by the officials
here ard this view doubtless will find express
sion in the American answer.
REMOVAL OF CHINESE COURT.
The news which the United States Govern
ment has received of the purpose Of the Chinese
Imperial Court to take up its abode at Si-Ngan-
Flu in the Province of Shen-Se comes from
japanese official sources. but so far there has
been nothing from the Chinese officials to show
that the movement actually has taken place.
The State Department has put forth all of its
efforts to bring about an abandonment OF the
project. However. it is now conceded that the
presence Of the Emperor and Empress in Picking
is not absolutely necessary to a satisfactory and
permanent settlement of the Chinese trouble,
though it is undoubtedly true that their return
would hasten such a settlement.
The japanese Minister to-day left with the
Secretary Of State a copy of a telegram dated
October l received from the Japanese Minister
for Foreign Affairs, to this effect:
The Japanese Acting Consul at Shanghai re-
ported on the 2Sth uIt. the publication in Chi
nese papers of undated imperial edict, the
purport of which was as follows:
Though have accompanied Her Majesty
the Empress Dowager to Tai-Yen and settled
there il is not intention 70 remain there
permanently. Inasmuch Chang-An the
seat of the ancient rulers of China and is de-
Tended by nature, We order the Acting Governor
of Shen-Se to select a suitable site for the i'm
perial palace III the city of Si-Ngan and to pro-
vide everything necessary for our journey there
TO- He should bear in mind the hardships we
are now exposed to, and refrain from all eX-
travagant preparations"