Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-26
Stands a Poor Chance of Universal
Approval.
AGREEMENT OF THE MINISTER'S
Supposed to Be Based on French
Proposals.
THE AMERICAN OBJECTION

The State Department has been informed
of the agreement or understanding or pre-
liminary treaty Qt is not possible now to
learn in just what form the matter stands)
reached by the foreign ministers at Pekin.
1t Is not regarded as proper to give out for
publication at this time any detailed in
formation respecting the agreement 1t
must be stated, however, that the arrange
ment stands very poor chance of receiv-
Ing the sanction Of all the powers repre-
sented in the Pekin conference, unless some
material amendments are permitted. Just
what the Objectionable features are can
only be surmised, in view Of the adverse
decision of the authorities respecting pub
Hcation. But, accepting as accurate the
statement from Pekin that the basis of the
agreement Is to be found in the French
note, 1t is easy to perceive that there are
no less than two points which, If included
IN their original shape, would not meet
with the unqualified approval Of our own
government. For instance the President
expressly reserved his opinion as to the
proposition that the Taku forts be disman-
tied He also withheld his approval of the
nent military occupation of two or three
points on the road between Tien Tsin and
Pekin.
Agreed to by United States
There were four points to which the as
sent Of the United States were given: Pro-
vld1ng for the punishment of the guilty
Chlnese, who may be designated by the
representatives Of the powers at Pektn:
for the collection of equitable indemnities
(and in this connection our government
suggested reference of the subject to The
hague tribunaD, and. finally, for the main
tenance of a legation guard at Pekin The
iatter. however, was to be temporary until
congress gave consent to a permanent
form.
Unless the ministers at Pekin have no.de
a very substantial change in the renuire
ments or the French note, therefore, it NAV
be predicted that our government will feel
Obliged to seek to make some changes in
the arrangement before it gives Its adher-
ence.
The Indemnity Proposition.
Ihere Is some reason to believe that the
indemnity proposition has taken such an
excessive form as to make it impossible
for the Chinese government to meet the
demand. and that fact, taken in connec-
ton with the unreasonable demands of
some Of the powers respecting punishments.
may require the active efforts of orr
government to moderate the demands.
There are indications, too, that in these
efforts, our government is to receive tie
support OF one of the most powerful of the
governments represented at the Pekin con-
ference, and one which has generally been
supposed Of late to have favored an ex-
treme position.
Herr Won Holleben, the German ambassa-
dor, who has been absent from Washing
ton since last spring, having returned,
called at the State Department today, and
had long interview with Secretary Hay,
supposedly with reference to Chinese mat
ters among other things.
Advices From Pekfn.
dispatch from Pekin says that the
6iY,1n 10 hn6I hold
Saturday and agreed upon the terms of
the preliminary treaty. Nothing now re-
mains except to secure the approval of
negotiations with the Chinese peace COM
missioners are begun. The precise terms
Of the settlement have not yet been made
public in Pekin, but it Is believed outside
the diplomatic corps there that the main
points are in substantial agreement with
those contained in the French note TO the
powers, namely, punishment for the guilty,
indemnity TO governments and individuals,
retention Of strong legation guards and the
occupation Of certain places between Pc
kin and Taku.
No Great Confidence in London.
Mild satisfaction is expressed in the Lon
don papers at the news that the diplomats
In Pekin have arrived at a preliminary un-
derstanding. but no great confidence seems
to be felt that any real step has been made
in the endless negotiations. 1t Is recog-
nized that there Is little for Germany to do
but to concede whatever the United States
and Russia agree to. The London Standard
says:
TT is hardly possible for Germany to
hold out, deeply offended as she is, If the
United States Rus sia. France and Japan
are disposed to moderation. Our Berlin
correspondent believes that Germany Is
prepared to waive the death penalty"