The Portland daily press., 1900-10-05
France and Russia Present
More Complicated One.
The Present and Future Dealings With
China are Involved.

Washington, October Appropriations
of a far-reaching character concerning
China are being presented in rapid sue
cession to this government. The State
Department had no sooner disposed of
one. of these propositions today by deliver
ing response to the German govern.
ment, than it was confronted by an even
more important proposition, submitted by
the French government and within half
an hour formally seconded by the Rus
sian government.
The answer to Germany covered the
subject of furnishing Chinese offenders
and made known that the United States
had instructed Minister Conger along the
lines suggested by Germany. These in
structions look towards securing the
names Of the persons deserving chastise-
ment, also whether the punishments ac-
cord with the gravity of the crimes COM
mitted and, finally in what manner the
United States and the other powers are to
be assured that satisfactory punishment
is inflicted. Aside from the specific pur-
poses OF the note, it is regarded as i'm
portant chiefly in establishing the most
satisfactory relations between the govern
ments at Washington and Berlin. The
Franco Russian proposal takes much
broader scope and submits a programme
under which the negotiations for COM
plete settlement can be carried forward
The French charge, M. Thiebaut, handed
the proposition to Secretary Hay shortly
after noon today and held brief confer
ence concerning it. Half an hour later
M. De WoIIant the Russian charge ar
rived at the state department and handed
to Mr.. Hay a note expressing Russian
approval of the propositions just sub
mitted by France. Mr.. Hay gave no
formal answer to the two communica-
tions, as they viii go first to the Presl-
dent at Canton.
The Franco-Russian proposition is un-
der four heads, namely first, punishment
of the guilty parties; second, interdiction
OF the shipment of arms into China
third, permanent indemnity to the pow
ers, and fourth, sufficient guarantees for
the future.
In addition, suggestion is made for
the establishment of a permanent legation
guard at Pekin; for the razing of the
Taku forts and for the maintenance of a
line of communication between Pekin
and the sea.
The impression here, in advance of ac-
tion on these propositions by our govern
ment is that they contain nothing essen
To bo cr1E1 hi Of
consideration in final settlement. The
difficulty which is likely to arise lies in
the placing of proper limitations upon
the scope of each head This is particular
Iy true of the subject Of guarantee and,
perhaps, of that of indemnify. Still, as
already suggested, each is undoubtedly a
most proper subject for discussion when
the final negotiations are reached, and
therefore M. Del Case s broadcast PROPOSE
tions while likely to consume some time,
in reducing them to Ultimate and binding
form, may be said to have a fair recep-
tion awaiting them,
AS to the Introduction of arms the state
department. already has intimated that
this may be question as to it's wisdom,
and there is reason to believe also that
Germany Will not view that particular
feature with approval. But there appears
to be good reason to expect that middle
ground will be reached by contining the
Introduction OF arms to specified period,
possibly to be fixed by the time required
by China within which to pay the in
demntty. The chief objection to the
proposition is in its peing permanent in
it's present form.
What the United States government
particularly desires to avoid is entering
into programme that leans in any man
ner toward the maintenance of foot
hold on Chinese soil, and if the other
propositions relative to the maintenance
of line Of free and safe communication
between Pekin and the sea-, and to the
legation guards, can be modified in the
direction OF temporary expedients they