The times., 1900-12-23
THE PBKIN AGREEMENT
Text of the Note Signed by Repre-
sentatiyes of the Powers.
The Boxer Outbreaks Reviewed-The
Principal Crimes Cited - The At
tacks the Legntions-The De-
mands Made on the Imperial Chi
nese Government for Reparation.

ceived word through the British Foreign
Once and an American official source, but
not from Minister Conger, that the agree
ment of the Ministers of the Powers en-
bodying the conditions which the Chinese
Government must accept prior to the in
ftiation of peace negotiations, had been
signed at Pekin. The text of the agree
ment was thereupon made public by the
Department.
It's terms in substance have been pub
1ished, the only new feature developed be-
fng that China must agree not only to
punish Prince Tuan and the ten dignita-
ries designated in Emperor Kwang Hsu's
decree of September Is, but those whom
the representatives Of the Powers shall
subsequently designate" This will per-
init the infiiction Of the ''seyerest punish
ment" of Chinese concerned in any of the
attacks on foreigners and not merely con-
firm punitive measures to high officials.
The agreement will be certified to Ii
Hung Chang and Prince Ching, the Chi
nese plenipotentiaries, and they must ac-
cept the terms in behalf of the Emperor
before the general peace conference may
begin.
lowing statement of the State Depart
ment:
PROPOSED IDENTIC NOTE OF TIE POWERS.
Department of State,
Washington.
The following English version, under
stood TO be in substantial equivalence
with the French text of the note to be
addressed to the Government of China,
was agreed upon by the representatives
OF the cooperating Powers at Pekin, De-
cember 4, 1900, and subsequently amended
before signature:
During the months of May, June,
July. and August OF the current year Sc
Tious disturbances broke out in the north
ern provinces of China, in which atrocious
crimes, unparalleled in history, and out
RACES against the laws of nations, against
the laws of humanity, and against ciyili-
yation were committed under particularly
odious circumstances. The principal OF
these crimes were the following:
"First--On the 20th of June His Ea-
cellency Baron Won Ketteler, while on his
way to the Tsung li-Yamen, in the per-
formanee of his official functions. was
murdered by soldiers of the regular army,
acting under orders Of their chiefs.
''Second-on the same day the foreign
legations were attacked and besieged.
The attacks continued without intermis-
sion until the 18th of August, on which
date the arrival OF the foreign forces put
an end TO them. These attacks were made
by the regular troops, who Joined the
Boxers, and who obeyed the orders of the
Court emanRting from the imperial pal
ace. At the same time the Chinese Gov
ernment officially declared, by its repre-
sentatiyes abroad that it guaranteed the
security of the legations
''Third-On the 11th of June Mr.. Sui
yama, Chancellor of the Legation OF
Japan. while in the discharge Of an Of
fetal mission, was killed by regulars at
the gates of the city. In Pekin and in
several provinces foreigners were mur-
dered. tortured, or attacked by the Boxers
and the regular troops, and such as es
capped death owed their salvation solely
TO their own determined resistance
Their establishments were looted AMI; de-
stroyed.
Fourth-Foreign cemeteries, at Pekin
especially, were desecrated, the graves
opened, and the remains scattered abroad.
These occurrences necessarily led the for
eign powers TO despatch their troops to
China TO the end of protecting the lives
OF their representatives and nationals and
restoring order. During their march to
Pekin the allied forces met with resist
ance from the Chinese army and had to
overcome it by force Inasmuch as China
has recognized her responsibility, ex-
pressed regret, and evinced desire to
see an end put TO the situation created by
the aforesaid disturbances, the Powers
have determined TO accede to her request
upon the irreyocable circumstances emu
marated below, which they deem indis-
pensable to expiate the crimes committed
and to prevent their recurrence.
La. The despatch to Berlin of an
extraordinary mission headed by an i'm
perial prince, in order to express the re-
grets OF His Majesty the Emperor of Chi
ma and of the Chinese Government for the
assassination OF His Excellency the late
Baron yon Ketteler, Minister OF Germany.
"(b). The erection, on the spot of the
assassination, OF a commemorative monu-
ment. beftting the rank of the deceased.
bearing an inscription in the Latin, Ger
man, and Chinese languages expressing
the regrets of the Emperor of China for
the murder.
'II.-(a). The severest punishment for
the persons designated il the imperial
decree of September %, 1900. and for
those whom the representatives of the
Powers shall subsequently designate.
"(b). The suspension for five years of
all official examinations in all the cities
where foreigners have been massacred or
have been subjected to cruel treatment
"II-Honorable reparation to be made
by the Chinese Government to the Japan
ese Government for the murder of Mr..
Suiyama.
"IV.-An expiatory monument to be
erected by the imperial Chinese Govern
ment In every foreign or international
cemetery which has been desecrated, or
in which graves have been destroyed.
"Y.-The maintenance, under conditions
to be determined by the Powers, of the
Introduction against the Importation OF
arms, as well as Of Ifaterials employed
exclusively for the manufacture OF arms
and ammunition.
''VI.-EQuitable indemnities for the
Governments, societies, companies, and
individuals, as well as for Chinese who,
during the late occurrences. have suf-
fered in person or in property in conse-
quence OF their being in the service of
foreigners, China TO adopt financial meas
ures acceptable to the Powers for the
purpose of guaranteeing the payment of
said indemnities and the interest and
amortization Of the loans.
"vII.--The right, for each Power, 20
maintain permanent guard for its le-
cation and TO put the diplomatic quarter
in defensible condition, the Chinese
having no right to reside in that quarter.
"VIIL-The destruction of the forts
which might obstruct free communication
between Pekin and the sea-
"Ix.-The right to the military occu-
patton of certain points to be determined
by an understanding among the Powers
in order to maintain open communication
between the capital and the sea-
"X.-The Chinese Government to cause
20 be published during two years in all
tha subprefectures an imperial decree
'tc). Embodying perpetual prohibition.
under penalty of death, of membership In