The Portland daily press., 1900-09-24
Reply to the German
Government.
Terse Answers to Russia's Three
Questions.

Washington, september SS.-Ine state
DEPARTMENT tonight made public the
text of the notes addressed by it to the
governments of Germany, Russia and
China in answer to inquiries from them
As TO the attitude of the UnitedEStates to-
ward various phases of the Chinese pro-
bem The forecasts OF these notes made
In the press appear to have been accurate
for although nowhere in the text is ref
erence made to the withdrawal of the
United States troops from China, the
official statement issued by the navy de-
partment in advance OF the publication
Of the notes, bears out the prediction that
the government finally has decided up
on such material reduction of It's mil
itary strength as viii amount to a with
drawal OF the army as an offensive instru-
ment This statement from the Navy
Department, moreover, Is full CT signifi-
cance OF purpose on the part OF the gov
ernment to see to it that, II there is any
sui seq ent attempt at territorial aggres-
sion on the part of any OF the powers
who already have declared themselves
as willing to abide by the expressed de-
termination OF the United states to re
frain from selling upon Chinese terri
tory, then the United States is to lose no
right or privilege which it now enjoys,
by such action.
The notes themselves are brief, consider
ing the Importance OF the topics treated.
The Russian and Chinese answers being
In the form OF diplomatic memoranda,
are short to a degree rarely seen in
diplomatic exchange. But IN both cases,
being completely responsive and favor
able to the inquirer, they VIII escape
criticism on that score.
The answer to the German note Is care
fully phrased 50 as to soften the unquali-
fed refusal OF the United States govern
ment to make the punishment OF the
Chinese ring-leaders a condition prece-
dent to negotiations. Also, it is noted
that, in the expression OF a purpose to IN
sist upon the ultimate and proper pun
ishment OF these offenders, the State De
partment goes far beyond the German
declaration on the subject. The announce
ment that the department intends imms
diately to begin, through Mr.. Conger, con
ference with Ching and Isi Hung Chang
although distinctly marking the fact that
tiations, will have the effeffct togforce the
other powers to an immediate determine
ton OF their policies in this matter. The
text OF the correspondence follows:
PROPOSAL OF THE GERMAN GOV
ERNMENT IN REGARD TO THE
DELIVERY OF THE REsPONsI-
BILE AUTHORS OF RECENT
CRIMES COMMITTED IN PEx N
AND TIE REPLY OF THE UNIT
ED STATES THERETO.
~
(The Imperial German Charge ID Affaires
to the Secretary of State-TransIate1).
IMPERIAL GERMAN EMBASSY.
Washington, September Is, 1900.
Mr.. Secretary-By direction Of the I'm
perial Chancellor, have the honor to re-
spectfuny communicate to Your Excel
lency the following:
Tns government of His Majesty, the
Emperor, considers, as a preliminary
condition for entering into diplomatic
negotiations with the Chinese govern
ment surrender of such persons as are
determined upon as being the first and
real perpetrators Of the crimes commit
ted In Pekin against international law,
The number of perpetrators who served
as tools is too great; a wholesale execu-
ton would be averse to the civilized con-
SCIENCE Furthermore circumstances
would not allow that even the group Of
leaders could be c0mp pletely ascertained.
But the few among them whose guilt
Is notorious should be surrendered and
punished. The representatives of the
powers In Pekin viii be In a position
to make or adduce In this investiga-
ton fully valid testimony. The number
Of those punished is OF less Importance
than their character as principal insti-
gators and leaders. The government of
His Majesty, the Emperor, believes that
can depend in this matter upon the
concurrence OF all the cabinets; forsin
difference towards the idea of just ex-
plation would be equivalent to inditfer-
ence towards repetition OF the crime.
The government OF His Majesty, the
Emperor, therefore proposes to the inter-
ested cabinets that they request their rep
resentatives In Pekin to designate the
principal Chinese personages whose guilt
IN the instigation or execution OF the
crimes Is beyond doubt.
A similar communication is forwarded
to the other Interested cabinets.
Requesting of Your Excellency reply
as soon as Is practicable / embrace this
occasion to tender the assurance OF my
most distinguished consideration.
STERN BERG.
QI)
lActing Secretary Hill to the Imperial
German Charge d Affaires,)
DEPARTMENT. OF STATE.
Washington, September 81, 1900.