The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-10-04
A NEW PROPOSITION.
One Is Expected Soon from Ger
many to the Powers.

| London, Sept. 29.-Apparently Ger
many's retreat from an untenable po-
sition has been virtually accomplished.
The Paris correspondent of the Morn
ing Post says:
"Anagreementon the Chinese programme
has been arranged between France, Ger
many and Russia 1t will be submitted to
the other powers within a few days. The
! action recommended Will be milder than
Germany's original proposal, and it is ex-
pected that all the powers will accept the
programme"
Position IntoIerable.
The Cologne Gazette. in another
semiofficial statement, apparently in
tended for consumption in the United
States and England, points out the
serious position resulting from Prince
Tuan's aseendancy, "the continued
massacre of missionaries and converts
and other indications that the anti
foreign movement is directed from an
influential center" 1t thinks that the
situation thus created must appear
intolerable even to those powers IA
voring policy of indulgence and for
bearance."
the IuHh blOcknuRs
Washington, Sept. 29.-The report
from St. Petersburg, said to have been
made on the authority of the Russian
naval staff, that, owing to the hostile
attitude of the Chinese feet at Shang-
hal, Russia proposes to blockade the
Chinese naval ports" created much in
terest at the navy department and in
government circles generally Friday.
As there is 20 statement to the effect
that it is to be preceded by declare
~ of war, it is assumed the block
;,Ie proposed comes under the designa-
tion in mi ational law of pacific
blockade"
A pacific blockade is considered
something of an anomaly and though
its justification is not recognized by
some writers on international law, it
has been resorted to on several occa-
sions during the past century and the
majority of writers now recognize it as
a measure of constraint short of war.
1t has been instituted sometimes by
the joint action of several powers.
sometimes OF a single power, in some
cases against only the vessels Of the ma
ton concerned. The penalties general
ly have been the seizure and eonfisca-
ton of the property and cargo of the
offending nation, or seizure and deten-
ton. The legal position of a pacific
blockade, however, is so far unsettled
as to the attitude of the blockaders
r1 he Of OF
cerned that their course has varied in
almost every instance.
Chinese Ports Involved.
If the report from St. Petersburg
should prove to be correct, the suppo-
sition is that, as it is based on the al
legged activity of the Chinese fleet, the
blockade would be directed against Chi
nese ports where there are naval stores,
dry docks or coaling stations. There
are but six of these ports on the Chi
nese coast not within the sphere of
foreign powers, namely, Niuchwang,
where there is mud dock; Taku and
Tientsin, where there are Chinese gov
erment docks and yards; Shanghai,
Foochow, Annoy and Whanpoa, where
there is granite dock owned by the
Chinese government.
Lacks oRciaI Advices.
Washington, Sept. 29.-The state
department has not been advised Of
ficially of any of the events of more
or less Importance which are said to
have occurred in China, according to
various European reports, within the
past "a hours. If Tuan has been de-
graded, and if Russia contemplates
blockade of the Chinese naval ports,
the department does not know the
facts. 1t has let it be known to the
Chinese government that Tuan's pro-
motion would be unwelcome to this
government, but it has not yet been
informed of the results of that rep
resentation. Respecting the state
ment that Ching has been discovered
to be a contributor to the Boxer
cause, it is said that ali the informa-
ton that the department has been
able to secure touching Ching's per-
sonality went to show his unvarying
friendhness for the foreigners, and
upon that record he was accepted as
competent envoy. The officials de-
clined to say whether or not the in
structions to Minister Conger have
gone forward yet, but it is intimated
that the minister is fully advised by
this time as to the state departments
policy. 1t is said, however, and the
statement may be significant, that no
developments in the Chinese situation
of Importance are expected within
the next two weeks at least.
Hold BarOn's Assassin.
Picking, Sept. 22.-The Manchu as
sassin of Baron Won Ketteler was
tried by court-martial yesterday. No
new evidence was presented and the
court decided that it would be I'M
justified in pronouncing sentence
upon the prisoner, who, however, will
be held in the hope that further in
formation will be obtained.
Calls 1t Lack of Energy.
Berlin, Sept. 29.-The principal pa
pers comment upon dispatch from
Washington which asserts that Secre-
tary Hay will return to the active dis
charge of his official duties next week,
having made it condition that Pres
ident Mckinley should give him an
absolutely free hand in foreign affairs.
| The dispatch saws also that "a lack of