Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-10-11
THE CHINESE PROBLEM.
SESSION OF CABINET DEVOTED TO
DISCUSSION OF THE SITUATION.
The Government Not Ready to An
swer the French Note Minister
Conger Submits List of Ten or
Prominent in the Boxer Movement
Against FOreigners-The With.
dravaI of American Troops.

Washington, October 9.-1he CABINET
meeting to-day, which occupied about
two and a half hours, was devoted al
most exclusively to a discussion of the
Chinese situation. Special 22nsidera-
tioE w. given to tn F"Cnct note. and
II is understood that a more or less
definite conclusion was reached as to
the nature of the reply which will be
made by this Government, but it has
not yet been put in diplomatic form
Its purport will not be made public for
the present.
1t developed to-day that Minister Con-
ger, in compliance with suggestion
from Secretary Hay, had submitted to
the State Department a list of ten or
twelve names of Chinese officials who
were prominent in the Boxer move
ment against the foreigners, and in
great measure were responsible for the
assaults upon the legations in Pekin.
These officials, Mr.. Conger believes,
should be included with Prince Tuan
and others in any punishments which
are to be inflicted upon those who took
a prominent part In the Pekin outrages.
1t is not likely that the position of this
Government in regard to the punish
nent of these officials will be stated IN
( reply to the French note.
General Chaffee continues to execute
the programme for the withdrawal of
the military forces already outlined,
and he has notified the War Depart
ment that he will have all Of his men
except the legation guard out of China
+ inside Of a fortnight.
The American troops will take no fur
! ther part in any military operations in
China, unless they are attacked, which
Is not believed to be probable. The
officials do not credit the Russian Ad-
miraPs report that they participated IN
the taking of Shan Kai-KWan, as the
sense of General Chaffee's orders was
directly contrary to such partclpa-
ton.
The Chinese Minister said to-day that
if the powers regarded it S essential
that the Emperor and Empress DOWa-
/ ger should return to Pekin he was quite
/ confident this could be brought about,
first by giving positive assurances for
the personal safety Of th ir ma1estles'
and then, as plain evidence of this as
! surance directing that the bulk of the
| allied forces now at Peilin be with
drawn to Tien Tsin, Yang Tsun, OF
some other point, leaving only a few
hundred troops at Pekin as guard.
Paris, October 9.-It is semi officially
announced to-day that the news re
ceived here from China is now more re-
assuring than the English dispatches
make out; that an agreement between
the powers will be arrived at on the
basis Of NJ. Delcasse's note; that the re
ported arrival of Ii Hung Chang a
Pekn has been confirmed, and that con
!. frmation has also been received of thu
degradation of Prince Tuan.
The officials Of the French Foreign
| Office are alated over the reception
which Frances note has secured il
Europe and it is hopeful and sanguin
, that it will result in a common under
standing which will permit of earl!
peace negotia tiOns. France, however
has not yet received the formal repl,
Of any power but the verbal statement
: made by the various Ambassadors ol
the presentation of the note led tn
: Government to believe it will be accept
ID everywhere except in Grest Britain
md the United States. These power
4 agree to certain features, While object
, ng to Others but do not take a stan
which is inimical, generally, to tn
g propositions of M. Delcasse.
The Temps account of the Cabine
council says NJ. Delcasse submitted dis
\ patches from the French representa-
e ives abroad, showing the negotiation
/ With the powers are continuing unde
r good conditions, and that this permit
e IF hope of a favorable solution of tn
k questions being considered.