The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-22
EXCHANGE OF NOTES
Between France and United
States on Chinese Mates.

Washington Oct 22-The state depart
fnent today made public the correspon-
dence which has taken place between
itself and the French government since
the original French note respecting
China, which laid down the terms sug-
gested by France as a basis of negotia-
ton for a settlement. This last CORE
spondence consists of two notes ex-
changed between Secretary Hay and NJ.
Thiebaut last week, putting in formal
shape certain formal statements Of i'm
portance respecting the negotiation.
An interesting and important feature
of the United States note is the closing
suggestion that the powers bind them
selves again to preserve Chinese terri
toTfal integrity and to maintain the
open door, exactly the objects aimed
at in the British-German agreement on
alliance which was made public last
week. While this note by Secretary Hay
bears date of October 9th and the Brit
ish-G German agreement is assigned the
date of October 18th, the action Of this
government was taken in ignorance of
the agreement and it is entirely possible
that it may have been the means of
bringing about a disclosure of its puT-
poses. Our suggestion indicates favor
able response by the United States gov
eminent to the invitation to join with
Great Britain and Germany in the OBJ
jects specified.
The correspondence is as follows:
Correspondence-Chin affairs-Oc-
tober 17-19.-In further relation to the
proposals of the government of the
French republic respecting the bases for
the settlement to be negotiated by the
powers and the Chinese government.
The French charge d'affaires to the
secretary of state. (Handed to the sec
rotary of state by the French charge
daffaires, NJ. Thiebaut, October II, 1900
Ia ior \
Embassy of the French Republic to the
United States, Washington, Oct II.
190e.-The. government of the republic
has highly appreciated the response
which the government of the United
States has made to its note of the 4th of
October. 1t has been especially gratifying
patty for France, which have evidently
inspired that reply. All the Interested
powers have adhered to the essential
principle of the French note. Insofar as
concerns the points which have called
forth comments on the part Of certain
cabinets, they could, it would seem, be
discussed among the powers or between
their diplomatic representatives at Pek1n
in the course of the negotiations and re-
ceive such notifications as might be
judged necessary in order to more surely
and speedily attain the common end.
The essential thing now is to show the
Chinese government which has declared
itself ready to negotiate, that the powers
are animated by the same spirit, that
they are decided to respect the integrity
of China and the independence of its
government: but that they are none the
less resolved to obtain the satisfaction
to which they have a right.
In this regard it would seem that II
the proposition which has been accepted
as the basis Of negotiations were COM
rnunicated to the Chinese plenipoten-
tiaries by the ministers of the powers at
Pekin, or in their name by their dean.
this step would be of a nature to have
a happy influence upon the determine
lions of the emperor of China and his
government
1t goes without saying that this collec-
tive step would in no wise Interfere with
the examination of the points In the
proposition to which the reservations
named by certain governments relate
The minister for foreign affairs would
be particularly happy to learn that this
is also the opinion of the president of the
United States and of the honorable sec
rotary of state and that they have
thought it opportune to send to the min
igter Of the United States in Pekin, in
structions in this sense.
II.
The secretary of state to the French
charge d'affaires. (Sent to Mr-Thiebaut,
October 10, 1900
Memorandum in response to the mem
orandum in regard to the basis and con-
duct of negotiations for settlement OF
pending questions between the powers
and China. delivered to the secretary Of
state by the French charge d'affaires,
October II. 1900.
The government of the United States
gratified to learn that all the interest
ed powers have adhered to the essential
principles of the French note of October
IA and trusts that such reservations as
they have suggested will, like those
mentioned in the reply of the United
States prove no embarrassment to the
progress Of the negotiation in the
course of which they can be frankly dis
cussed with a view to a common agree
Tn rH
the French government that the essen
tial thing now is to prove to the Chinese
government that the powers are ready
to meet in the path of peaceful neROtia-
ton and that they are united IN their re-
peatedly declared decision to respect the
integrity of China and the independence
of its government, while equally united
in the resolve to obtain rightful satisfac-
ton for the great wrongs they and their
nations have suffered, this government
has instructed its minister in Pekin to
concur in presenting to the Chinese
Observation-Disclosures the points upon which
we are agreed as the initial step towards
negotiations and towards the re-estab-
1ishnent of the effective power and
authority of the imperial government.
The government Of the United States
believes that the happy influence upon
the determinations of the Chinese EN-
peror and of his government which the
government Of the French republic an
ticipates as the result of this step would
be still further induced if the powers
We're to include as part of their initial
declaration a collective manifestation Of
their determination to preserve the ter
ritorial integrity and the administrative
entirety of China and to secure for the
Chinese nation and for themselves the
benefits of open and equal commercial
intercourse between the Chinese empire
and the world at large
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington. d. c.. Oct. 49, 1900.