The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-12-26
IN CHINA.

LONDON, Dec. 10. 49, Ambassador
Choate had a long conference Tuesday
afternoon regarding the Chinese situa-
ton with the secretary Of State for for
eign affairs, the Marquis of Lans-
dowue, and subsequently Henry White,
secretary of the United States embas-
sY, paid visit to the foreign office.
The greatest secrecy is maintained as
to the outcome of these combinations.
What could be learned from British
and American sources varied consider
ably, the former expressing annoyance
and anxiety, the latter maintaining
that nothing serious was developing.
Some explanation, however. was
gathered by represe ntaJiye of Tue As
ISOLATED Press OF the extraordinary tau
gle in which the Chinese negotiations
have recently mixed up and some rec
Onciligli0u of the contradictory tele-
grams that have emauated from Pekin
aud various European capitals.
Ii appears that over "a week ago the
powers came o 40 agreement to elm
mate the wOrl "lrreyocable" from the
joint note. Then, when it was be-
lieved that everything had been set
tied, objections we're raised and Great
Britain for the sake OF harmony, al
| though much against her will, agreed
to reinserC the "irrevocRble" clause.
La this it is believed she was supported
by the United States.
Once more the joint note seemed on
the verge Of signing when q misuuder-
standing arose in Pekin. This con-
fused the governments and formed the
subject Of the despatch from Secretary
Hay which Mr.. ChOate transmitted to
the Marquis OF Lansdowne today. AS
the result of the interview Mr.. Choate
has sent long cablegram to Secretary
Hay in which he attributes the latest
misunderstanding to be an error in for
warding Instructions, an error which
occurred presumably through the cable
company and which caused Mr.. Con-
ger and Sir Ernest Satow, the British
minister in Pekiu, to take opposite
views although their home govern
ments perfectly agreed.
BERLIN, Dec. 21.-All the ministers
signed the preliminary joint note on
Thursday, aud it was sent to Prince
Ching and Ii Hung Chang.
The note embodies the principles of
the minimum demands of Germany
and the powers and it was agreed, on
the proposal of Great Britain, that I'M
til the demands were satisfied there
should be no withdrawal of the troops
from Pekin and the Province of Chi Ii.
LONDON, Dec. 21.-A dispatch from
Pekin, received last evening says
''The situation throughout the prov
.nces is rapidly growing worse and is
causing grave anxiety" The dispatch
adds that sunless definite system of
government is speedily installed a re-
crudescence of anti-foreign outbreaks
is confidently predicted. The pressure
OF the matter begins to be felt by the
people who are also suffering on ac-
count OF blackmail levied by the native
employees of the allies for which the
foreigners are blamed. A number of
desperadoes, imprisoned at Tsan Chow
Flu by Gen. Mel, whom the German re-
leased are now hurryiDg to the Chi Ii
Shan Tung border, burning houses,
numbering and pillaging."
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The State
department this morning cabled Con-
ger authorizing his signature to the
agreement of the representatives. of the
powers at Pekin, including the irrevoc.
able preamble, also the explanatory
clause at the end, stating that the doc
ument is not considered an ultimatum
to China. All the other powers have
now similarly acted.