The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-31
powers not to destroy the forts, but
merely to disarm them.
Ii HUNG CHANG ILL

powers not to destroy the forts, but
merely to disarm them.
Ii HUNG CHANG ILL.
Ii Hung Chang's health is bad, and it
is doubtful whether he will be able to
? do more than affiX his signature to an in
Strument delegating his powers to Prince
Ching until another plenipotentiary has
been appointed. He was dressed this
morning and carried in a chair to the
residence OF Prince Ching, with whom he
held a long consultation Prince Ching
then called upon the doyen of the diplo-
matte corps, the Spanish minister, Senor
de Cologan, and requested him to notify
the. other ENJOYS that instructions had
been received from the emperor to sign
the note.
The foreign communities in Pekin are
greatly satisfied at the decided tone Of
the collective note and the assertion that
the powers are determined to entertain
no proposals for the modification of their
demands. 1t is understood Ii Hung
Chang sent a memorial to the throne
couched in very strong terms, urging
complete compliance
The Germans killed f-rty Chinese
troops near Man Cheng northwest of
Pao Ting Flu. They hal no casualties
Among the natives a feeling of great
m1strust is being caused apparently by
the high-handed action of the Germans
as the Chinese suspect them of an inten-
ton to force a serious engagement with
the Chinese troops.
WASHINGTON IS PLEASED.
WASHINGTON, Dec. SO.-The report
that the Chinese plenipotentiaries had
been directed TO sign the joint note is
source of satisfaction to officials here as
Indicating a disposition on the part of
the Chinese government to heed the de-
sire of the powers that negotiations shall
be entered on at once and the present
unsatisfactory condition of affairs ternni-
mated. The emperor, it was expected.
would instruct his agents to obtain the
best terms possible One of the prin-
c!pal objections said to have been made
by the Chinese to the location of any
great number of legation guards in
Pekln is that these guards would be a
menace to the existing Chinese govern
ment AS had been already stated in
these dispatches, the United States gov
ernment does not desire the absolute
demolition of the Taku forts, but simply
their d1smantlement, so that ready access
TO the chinese capital of a foreign force
would not be prevented The demand of
the powers in the joint note. however.
was for the destruction of the forts The
inquiries said to have been made by the
CAi'AiSSS government OIL the 6nVOYS. OF
which inquiries, however, no official init
nation has been received from Mr.. Con-
ger, have been regarded by the officials
OF this government as reasonable and
because of this, more delay than has oc-
CURED was. expected in the courts direc-
lion for the signature of the note. Moth
ing has come from Mr.. Conger regarding
the status of the note since a cablegram
from him some days ago announcing that
It had been presented to the Chinese
Mr.. WI, the Chinese minister, is some
what puzzled as to just what construc-
ton to place on the Pekin dispatch All
along he has regarded the demands
conveyed in the joint note as harsh and
severe, and the statement that it has
been signed causes him surprise. He is
inclined to believe that in all probability
what the emperor has directed is that
the Chinese plenipotentiaries proceed to
discuss in friendly manner with the en-
voys the terms of the agreement, with
view, as stated in the Pekin dispatch,
to obtain the best terms possible along
cert1in specified lines, and also in others
not contained III the cablegram.
ACCUSES COUNT Won WALDERsEE.
LONDON, Dec S1-Wiring to the
Times, from Pekin, Dr. Morrison charges
Count Won Waldersee with breach of
faith, on the ground that he gave. Ii
Hung Chang map defining the area