Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-30

Washington. D. c., Sept. 29-Import-
ant news came from China at the end
of the day, which in itself tends 10 adj
vance materially the efforts for final
settlement. China has accepted the
suggestions of the United States con
tanned in the answer to the German
proposition, and has begun voluntarily
the punishment of the reactionary Chi
nese leaders who were responsible for
the Pekin outrages.
PRINCE TUAN DEGRADED.
me Department of State was in
formed by Consul General Goodnow, at
Shanghai. that Sheng, Chinese director
of railways and telegraphs, has handed
him decree of the Emperor and En-
press, dated at Taignan, September 25
blaming their ministers for encourage
Ing the Boxers. The edct orders the
degradation of four princes and de-
prives Prince Tuan of his salary and
servants. He is to be brought for trial
before the Imperial Clan Court.
TAKEN TO HEART.
1t will be recalled that in our answer
the State Department was careful to
state that while II did not believe in
demanding the surrender Of the Chi
nese ringleaders as u condition pre-
cedent to negotiations 1t was resolved
firmly. as Secretary Hay had snid in
his note of July Sd. that in the end the
guilty parties should be held to the
uttermost accountability. The Chinese
Government has taken this ntimdtion
to heart. and perhaps FASTENED in It's
action by the recent manifestations of
dissatisfaction by the United States
Government at the reported promotion
Oh Prince Tuan, already has begun the
punishment of him and the other Chi
nese leaders who are held guilty.
CHANGE OF HEART
me decree recitcd by .Sheng is felt
TO be OF the utmost importance rs in
dicatng complete change of heart on
the part Of the reigning dynasty. II
means that the reactionary Influences
which have been dominant in PekIn
throughout the uprising, and have even
continued of late days, have suffered -
complete overthrow, and that their
most conspicuous figures arc degraded
and on trial. 1t is believed here that
II TINS action is genuine ii will be hard
for any OF the Powers TO find n reason
able pretext TO longer refuse to heed
the appeals of the Chinese Government
Tor the opening OF negotiations looking
to n settlement,
THE TRIAL OF TUAN.
The Importance of the action is
shown by the determination to fIV
Prince Tuan before the Imperial clan
Court. This is the supreme judicial
tribunal of China, and is the only one
having jurisdiction over the members
OF the imperial family. 1t is presided
over by Prince Ii. with the well-known
Prince Ching as first vice president
Prince Ii Is the first of the eight
princely families OF China. and is re-
earded as friendly to the progressive
element The attitude of Prince Ching
has been notable throughout the trou-
There are five other members OF the
court. all of them high personages.
They occupy a building at Pekin and
are IN regular session for the trial of
cases affecting members of the nobil-
ity and the highest personages. Chi
nese officials here say that the refer
ence OF the case to this high court is
OF itself the fullest assurance of tho
gravity with which the throne regards
the matter 1t is noted also that even
before the trial Prince Tuan is stripped
of his salary and official servants
Being man of large and independent
means, the loss of salary would not
amount to much If it were not that
this and the loss OF the servants is a
special means of humiliation. The
names of the four princes who have
been degraded are not known here.
either by the State Departmnt or by
the Chinese legation
FRIENDLY VICEROYS GRATIFIED.
The action of the Chinese govern
ment in overthrowing the reactionaries
is likely to give the most intense graf
if1cation to the friendly Viceroys of the
south OF China and to the ministers
here, in London and in Europe. who
have so strenuously resisted the Boxer
movement. 1t may be especially noted
that only to-day Minister WI received
information that these Yiceroys, in
Guiding Ii Hung Chang. had memo
rialized the throne to punish the very
element which has now been overcome.
ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS.
Washington, Sept. 29.-The align
ment of the Powers on the German
proposition to make the punishment of
the Chinese ringleaders a condition
precedent to negotiations, may now be
stated as follows:
Great Britain, Russia and France
stand with the United States regard
ing this proposition as inexpedient.
Japan occupies middle attitude.
She Is willing to follow the German
lead If all the other Powers are agree
able, but only for the sake of preserv-
ing harmony among the Powers, and
NOT from belief in the wisdom OF the
German proposition
s GERMANY'S SUPPORT.
Austria and Italy stand shoulder to
shoulder with Germany making tho
Driebund aolid front. The first named