The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-23
Proposals Made by Russia, Germany
and China TO Settle Question.
REDUCE MILITARY FORCES.
The United States Has Finally De
cided on Material Reduction
OF the Army Now on Chinese
Soil, and it Will Be
No Offensive
Weapon
fBy Associated Press. )

(By Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22-The State De-
parfment tonight made public the texts
of the notes addressed by it to Ger
many, Russia and China in answer to
inquiries from them as to the attitude of
of the Chinese problem The forecasts of
the note made in the Associated Press ap-
pear to be accurate. for although nowhere
in the text is reference made to the with
drawal Of the United States troops from
China, the official statement issued by
the Navy Department in advance Of the
notes bears out that 1t has finally decided
upon such a material reduction OF Its
filitary force as will amount to with
drawal of the army as an offensive
weapon.
This statement from the Navy De-
partment, moreover, is full of significance
of the purpose o. this Government to see
TO 1t that If there is any subsequent at
tempt of territorial aggression on the part
of any of the Powers who already have
declared themselves as willing to abide
by the expressed determination of the
United States to refrain from Selling upon
Chinese territory. then the United States
is TO lose no right or privilege which it
now enjoys by such action.
BRIEF AND DIPLOMATIC.
The notes themselves are brief, consid-
ering the Importance of the topics treat
ed. The Russian and Chinese answers
being in the form Of diplomatic mem
oranda. are short to degree rarely seen
in diplomatic exchange. But in both
cases being completely responsive and fav-
orable TO the inquirer, they viii escape
criticism on that score.
The answer to the German note Is care
fully phrased so as to soften the unquali-
fed refusal Of the United States Govern
ment to make the punishment of the
Chinese ringleaders a condition precedent
10 negotiations
Also it is noted in the expression Of a
purpose to insist upon the ultimate and
proper punishment of these offenders, the
State Department goes far beyond the
German declaration on the subject.
The announcement that the Department
intends Immediately to begin through Min
lister Conger conferences with Ching and
l.: Hung Chang, although distinctly mark
ing the fact that these are only prelimi-
nary to final negotiations, will have the
effect to force the other Powers to an
Immediate determination of their policies
in this matter. The text of the CORE
Spondence follows:
THE GERMAN PROPOSITION.
Chinese Correspondence
September 1Sth-21st, 1900.
Proposal of the German Government IL
regard 10 the delivery of the responsible
authors of the recent crimes committed il
Pekin, and the reply of the United State:
thereto:
.'Q)-The Imperial German Charge d'Af-
flares to the Secretary of State (transla-
tion).
Imperial German Embassy, washing
ton. September 17.-Mr. Secretary: B,
direction of the Imperial Chancellor I have
the honor to respectfully communicate tt
Your E8cel!ency the following:
The Government Of His Majesty con
siders as preliminary condition for en-
tering into diplomatic negotiations witt
the Chinese Government the surrender o.
such persons as are determined upon a:
being the first and real perpetrators of the
crimes committed in Pekin against The
International law. The number Of perpe
traitors who served as tools Is too great
a wholesale execution would be ayerse t.
The civilized conscience. Furthermore, c.r-
cumstances would not allow that ever
the group of leaders could be completely
ascertained, bur the few among then
whose guilt is notorious should be sur.
rendered and punished. The representa-
uyes of the Powers in Pel1in would be il
position to make or adduce, in this inves
tigation, full valid testimony. The mum
Der of those punished is of less Importance
than their character as principal instiga
tors and leaders.
AFTER THE GUILTY.
The Government of His Majesty, tn
Emperor. believes that 1t can depend Il
this matter upon the concurrence of a.
the cabinets, for Indifference towards tn
idea Of Just expiation would be equiya
lent TO Indifference towards a repetition o
the crime.
The Government OF His Majesty, tn
Emperor, therefore, proposes to the inter
ested cabinets that they request their rep
resentatives in Pckin to DESIGNATE tn
principal Chinese personageS whose gull
IN the instigat!on or execution of the crime
Is beyond doubt
similar communication is forwarde
10 the other Interested cabinets. Request
ing OF Your EXcellency a reply as sool
as Is practicable. i embrace this occasion
TO tender the assurance of my most dis
tinguished consideration.
lSigneD ..STERNBURG.'
AMERICAN REPLY.
tIi3 Actins Secretary Hill to the Imperia
German Charge d'Affaires
Department of State washington, Sept
Il. 1900:
In response to your inquiry of the 15tl
inst as to the attitude OF the Unite;
States as to the exemplary punisd,me.,
of the notable leaders In he crimes com
rnitfed In Peasn agains; information law
have the honor to make the following
statement:
The Gors nment of the United states has
from the outset, expressed determination t,
bold to the utmost accountability the re
s,onsibie authors OF any wrongs done 1,
China to citizens OF the United States an,
their Interests as was stated in the Govern
n,erlt.s circular communication to tn
Powers of July 80 last. These wrong
have been committed not alone in pekin
but In many parts OF the Empire, an,