The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-16
VERY O%N-COMMITTAL
TEXT OF THE PRESIDENTS REPLY TO
THE FRENCH NOTE
PREPARATION AND GUARANTEES
Definite as to the Attitude OF This
Government Toward b Measures
Proposed for Securing Them II Set
Positively Assented to or Rejected.

washington, October 1.-THE reply
Of the state department to the French
relative t. the bases Of Chinese
negotiations was made public today. 1t
reads as follows:
THE Secretary Of State to the French
Charge d'Affaires.
The government Of the United States
agrees with that of France in recog-
nizing as the object to be obtained
from the government of China appro-
pirate reparation for the past and SUBJ
stantial guarantees for the future.
THE president is glad to perceive in
the bases OF negotiation put forward
in the memorandum of October 4th,
the spirit that has animated the decla-
rations heretofore made by all the DOW
ers interested. and would be pleased to
see the negotiations begun Immediate
ly o the usual notification of Gre
dentials.
1T may be convenient to enumerate
the u Of the memorandum n
to add some observations dictated by
the attitude of the United States in the
IN Observation-Disclosures
Il. The punishment of the guilty par
ties who may be designated by the rep
r~eSentativeS of the powers at Pekin.
The Chinese government has already
indicated the intention to punish a
number of those responsible for the
recent disorders. The representatives
of the powers at Pekin may suggest
additions to that list when negotiations
are entered upon.
20. The continuance of the interdic-
ton against the importation of arms.
1t is not understood that this inter-
diction is to be permanent, and the du-
ration of it and the details Of it's regu-
lat1On seems a proper subject of discus
sion by the negotiators.
SO. Equitable indemnitieS for the
governments, corporations, and private
individuals. This in an object desired
by all the powers. The Russian govern
~protracted divergence of views, this
matter might be commended to the
consideration Of the international court
of arbitration of The Hague. The pres
ident thinks this suggestion worthy
the attention Of the powers.
"a. The organization in Pekin of a
permanent guard for the legations.
is unable to make any permanent en-
gagement of this nature without the
authorization Of the legislative branch,
but in the present emergency we have
stationed in Pekin an adequate lega-
ton guard.
"5. The dismantling Of the forts at
Taku. The president reserves the ex-
i preston of his opinion as to this meas
ure pending the receipt Of further in
formation in regard to the situation in
China.
sc. The military occupation of two
or three points on the road from Tien
Tsin to Pekin. The same observation
which has been made in reference to
No. 4 applies also to this proposition.
The president is unable to commit the
United States to a permanent partici-
patton in UGH occupation, but he
kinks it desirable that the powers
sha obtain from the Chinese govern
ment the assurance of their right to
guard their legations in Pekin and to
ave the means of unrestricted access
to them whenever required.
The President believes that the gov
eminent of France and the other pow
ers will see in the reserves we have
here made no obstacle to the initiation
of negotiations on the lines suggested.
and he hopes it will be found practical
BILE to begin such negotiations at an
early day.
Department of State, Washington.
| October 10, 1900"