New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-05

Washington. Oct 4-The State Department
this afternoon issued the following statement:
Proposal Of the Imperial German Govern.
naent in regard TO the Chinese edict OF
September % 1900, decreeing the pun
ishrnent OF certain Chinese officials.
Imperial EDICT OF SEPTEMBER 25,
1900
The Secretary IF state received on October 2,
1900 from the Chinese Minister memorandum
informing him that cablegram had been re-
ceived from DirectoT-GeneTal Sheng. at Shang-
hal stating that by an Imperial edict. issued on
September p. Prince Chang, Prince Yin and
Secondary Princes Tsai Lien and Tsai Hing are
deprived Of all their representative ranks ana
offices. that Prince Tuan is deprived OF once
and IS handed over 10 the Imperial Clan Court
which shall consult and decide upon severe
penalty and his salary Is 10 be stopped; that
Duke Tsai Ian and the president Of the Cen
sorate. Yirg Men. are handed over to the SAID
Board who shall consult and decide upon a Sc
we're penalty. and that kan6 VII, Assistant
Grand Secretary and President of the CIyll
Board. and Chao Shu Chiao, president Of the
Board Of Punishments are handed over TO A
board Of censors. who shall consult and decide
upon penalty
1.-THE IMPERIAL GERMAN CHARGE TO
THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
CHanded TO the Secretary by the German
Charge d AffaiTes. Baron Won Sternburs,
October ?. 1900
The Imperial Government is informed of
an edict of the Chinese Emperor by ShenG'
the TaOGaf of Shanghai. whereby the pun
fshment
and dignitaTtes named for having supported
the Boxers. The Imperial Government as
s..4a-- taat all she other cabinets concerned
have received similar communications
Accepting the auth enticfty of the edict, on
which we, for part. do not wish 10 cast
a doubt until evidence is received to the
contrary. we can perceive in il the first sign
toward practical basis for the re-estab-
1iShment of an orderly state of things in
China. The Imperial Government, therefore,
proposes that the Powers come to an agree
heir n dfFs1r
atfves IN China to examine and give their
opinion the following POINTS,
First-Whether the list contained in the
edict Of persons 10 be punished is sufficient
and correct.
Second - Whether the punishments pro-
posed meet the
Third-In what way the Powers can con-
troll the carrying out of the penalties i'm
posed
The Information received up TO the pres
ent concerning the reception of this pro-
pOsaI by the Powers justffies the belief that
n general understanding this matter may
be looked for.
uL-THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE
IMPERIAL GERMAN CHARGE
Memorandum in response TO the inquiries
made Of the Secretary of State, Octo-
Der ,, 1900. by the Imperial German
Charge dAffaires, touching the Chinese
imperial edict in regard to the punish
ment of Prince Tuan and other high Chi
nese officials.
The Chinese Minister communicated to the
Secretary of State on the I'd inst. tele-
gram received by him from DirectOr-GeneraI
Sheng conveying the purpOrt of an Imperial
edict dated September 25, 1900, by which
the degradation and punishment of Prince
Tuan and other high Chinese officials are de-
creed.
The Government of the United States Is
disposed to regard this measure a proof
Of the desire of the Imperial Chinese Cow
eTnmenT 10 satisfy the reasonable demands
Of the foreign Powers for the injury and
Outrage which their Legations and their
tfOuaIs have suffered at the hands of evil dis
posed persons in China although it has been
thought wei. in view of the vagueness of
the edict in regard to the punishment which
some of the inculpated persons to
ceive. to signify to the Chinese Minister the
President view that IL would be most
Erettabie If Prince Tuan who appears from
the cOncurrinE testimony of the Legations in
Picking to hnve been one of the foremost in
the proceedings complained of. should
ment as the facts warrant, or If KanG vi
and Chao Shu CbiaO should receive other
than their just deserts.
With "A view to forming a judgment on
these points the United States Minister in
PelIing has been instructed to report
whether the edfcf completely names the per-
sons deserving chastisement; whether pun
ishments proposed accord with the gravity
Of the crimes committed, and in what
ner the United states and the other Powers
are TO be assured that satisfactory punish
ment IS inflicted.
IL Is hoped that Mr.. ConEer's REPLIES
to these iDterrogatOrIes will confirm the
Government of the United States the Opin-
ion which il now shares with the the Inn
peFtal German Government that the edlct in
question Is an important initial step in the
direction of peace and order in China
Department of state, Washington, October
,. 1900.
This memorandum handed TO Baron
speck Won SternbUrg. the German Charge DAT
faires, at the State Department this morning
Its hearty concurrence in the modified attitude
Of Germany, since this Government com
reled 10 refrain from imposing upon China the
punishment Of all Boxer leaders condition
precedent to the resumption Of amicable rela-
uons is regarded as a notable step toward the
final settlement. not alone in fixing the course
of events in China, but as announcing TO the
world the close relations that exist between the
United States and Germany.