Evening star., 1900-10-05
China Objects to Some Of the Stipu-
lations.
NEXT step IN THE NEGOTIATIONS
Waiting to Hear From Minister
Conger and Mr.. Rockhi|I.
CREDIT GIVEN GERMANY

The British government has followed in
the footsteps of the United States in the
Chinese negotiate 1t has authorized Sir
Claude Macdonald, the British minister at
Pekin to enter into relations with the Chi
nese officials lust as our government did
in the case of Mr. Conger. 1t has left to
its minister discretionary power to pass
upon the sufficiency of the credentials Of Ii
Hung Chang, Prince Ching and the other
Chinese enyoys. Although the formal re-
sponse to the latest German proposition
has not been returned by Lord Salisbury,
our government has been informed that,
though such an answer may not be made
at ALL being unnecessary In the light or re-
cent developments, yet Sir Claude MacDon-
aid will be instructed to make the same in
quiries relative to the punishment OF the
Chinese ringleaders that have been COM
mitted to Mr. Conger.
The first practical outcome of Special
Commissioner Rockhilrs investigation has
been an instruction to him by the State
Department to cooperate with Minister
Conger in the inquiries with which that OF
fetal is now charged relative to the charac-
ter of the Chinese ENJOYS and the PUNISH
mentS inflicted Mr.. RockhilTS previous ac-
uuaintance with the Chinese officials and
his knowledge of Chinese methods, supple
mented by the inquiries he had made since
his arrival in China, will, it is calculated,
fit him to materially assist Mr.. Conger.
The Next Step.
The next step toward the final settlement
of the Chinese troubles must come from
Mr.. Conger and his brother ministers at
Pekin. They are charged now with in
quiries into the matter Of punishments,
which will certainly occupy some time, and
it is not expected that much headway will
Il 10 i,,1 thar tInr
of the case has been passed. The latest
French note is a distinct movement toward
the initiation of negotiations for settle
ment while the question of pun1shments IS
still pending, though in a way toward ad-
iustment. 1t is probable that exchanges
will take place. with the French note as
the basis, while the ministers at Pekin are
at work under their instructions upon the
subject of punishments. but even If some
advance is made with the French note 1t Is
not likely in the Judgment of the officials
here. that all of the complex questions In
volved therein can be agreed upon by the
powers before Mr.. Conger and the other
ministers are ready TO report upon their
branch Of the case.
objection to French Proposals.
In the mutual congratulations that are
being exchanged relative to the success
which has attended the effort of the powers
to get together upon the German note, the
intention of the Chinese government re-
specting that important subject has escaped
attention. 1t Is believed here, however,
that the imperial government Will make an
earnest effort to meet the demand Of the
powers respecting the punishments. Touch
ing the French proposals, however, the Off
Gals here have already received intimation
that the Chinese government is preparing
to offer strenuous objection to some Of
them, notably to the proposition looking to
the razing Of the Taku forts and the inter-
diction of the importation of firearms.
The news that Yung-Lu Is not to be
forced upon the Chinese peace commission
Is well received here as indicating the read
iress Of the Chinese government to heed
any reasonable remonstrance from the
powers for in that case our government
had indicated a hope that his appoin tment
as a peace envoy would not be pressed.
Minister WI called at the State Depart
ment today and had talk on the various
foreign propositions. Referring to the
French proposal, Mr. WI expressed the be-
lief that there was serious objection TO at
least two of the points, namely, the raZng
of the Taku forts and the Introduction of
arms He looks upon these propositions as
impossible Of acceptance by China.
Not Claiming All the Credit.
The government officials here are quite
willing to concede full credit to the Ger
man authorities, and particularly to Baron
Won Speck Sternberg, for the successful un-
derstanding brought about on Germany's
latest note, and there is no disposition to
share the chickering's of some of the anti
government German press that Germany
sustained q reverse and the United States
scored a triumph in the latest negotiation.
On the contrary the officials here begrudge
none of the credit which they hold Germany
is fairly entitled to for the satisfactory turn