Evening star., 1900-11-28
OPPOSED BY POWERS
Ministers Have Not Reflected TheiT
CountrieS'Views.
MUST MODIFY THE PEKIN AGREEMENT
Mr.. Conger Will Withhold His
Signature.
THE PROPOSED ULTIMATUM

The State Department has cabled Minister
Conger to forward the text of the agree
ment reached by the foreign ministers at
Pekin. Meanwhile Mr.. Conger will with
hold his signature until the President has
had opportunity to satisfy himself as to
that important document and to make such
changes as will make 1t accord with our
policy.
1t is safe to predict that this particular
agreement will not become effective in Its
present shape. 1t appears that upon In
quiry directed to the powers themselves.
their ministers at Pekin have not correctly
reflected their present views as to the basis
Of the peace negotiations. That statement
is certainly true as to majority of the
powers interested, and the fact is regarded
as warranting the prediction that the
agreement must be modified or abandoned.
Work of American COnsuls.
It is learned at the State Department to-
day that while these negotiations are drag
ging along at Pekin some of the American
consuls in China are achieving practical
and valuable results by individual efforts.
They are addressing themselves in cases
directly to the viceroys of the great prov
inces where American property interests
have suffered to secure indemnity and rep
ara ton, and in most cases they are sue
ceeding very we'll.
1t is surm.sed from the latest Chinese ad-
vices that the English consuls are dong
likewise, and are collecting many claims,
and the moneys are being turned over 10
the mission interests which suffered. IL
that movement continues, therefore. IL ID
entirely possible that neither the United
States nor Great Britain will be obliged to
concern itself with the prosecution OF any
individual claims for indemnity through the
slow-moving agencies at Pek1n.
An "UItimatum" Proposed.
It developed today that the chief point In
the exchanges which have been going on
within the last few days among the powers
concerning China relates to the wisdom OF
delivering an "ultimatum'' to China, using
the express word ''ultimatum' in the text
of the demand to be handed to the Chinese
envoy. Such action involves the possibility
of a resulting declaration of war against
China in case the demands OF the ultima
tum' are not complied with. 1t appears
that some of the powers desired the express
use of the word ''ultmatum' in the demand
relative to the decapita ion or other extreme
punishment of eleven of the princes ana
other high officials responsible Tor the out
RACES, and that view of using the most eX-
pressive term of diplomacy seems TO nave
found favor with the ministers at PeKln.
When 1t became known at the several capi-
tails, however considerable dissent became
manifest. About a week ago Japan took
the initiative in appeal for moderation,
and that received the favorable considera-
ton of the United States: France. Russia
and probably Great Britain. although the
fact can not be stated positively as to Great
Britain.
Powers Opposed to Ministers.
About the same time Secretary Hay took
steps to express the view Of this govern
ment that it was inadvisable to proceed to
the extent Of an ultimatum against Chlna'
but that the demands should not be beyond
what China might reasonably have the
rnent has not given its formal concurrence
to the proposition that the use Of the word
"ultimatum'' is inadvisable. 1t Is under
stood that France, Russia and Japan also
concur in that view. This unanimity OF
sentiment gives grounds for the belief that
the demands of the ministers will be modi-
fed by the omission Of an ultimatum to
China, although it is not yet clear what
the final attitude Of the remaining powers
Germany, Austria and Italy-will be. The
negotiat tions in that particular were carried
on in London through Ambassador Choate,
and aside from the immediate Importance
of the question involved it Is regarded as
quite significant that one of the parties to
the Anglo German alliance should give its
adherence to the moderate position ad-
vanced by the United States.
An ultima tum is Of the last re-
courses of diplomacy before a declaration
of war; and 1t is usually accompanied by a
definite statement of the time within which
the demand must be complied with. 1t
leaves no alternative but compliance, SO
that If 1t should develop that the demands
are impossible of execution the party deiv-
ering the ultimatum would be in the posi-
ton of being required to proceed to war to
enforce the demands. 1t is understood that
this view of the case has led to the general
assent now given against the delivery of an
ultimatum to China.
Concern of Southern VicerOys.
The British ambassador and the Chinese
minister We're among Secretary Hays call
ers at the State Department today, condi-
tions in China being among the subjects
considered. Information has been received
from the southern viceroys, representing
the most pacific influences in China, show
ing great concern on their part as to re-
ports that another punitive expedition Is on
its way, this time against Shansi province.
Nothing Is known here of any American
participation in such expeditions.
A Paris Report.
PARIS, November est is said on high
authority that Germany has assented, with
out modification, to the joint note prepared
by the ministers Of the powers at Pekin,