Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-12-14
TERMS AGREED UNN..
UNDERSTANDING REACHED ON
CHINESE QUESTION.
Compromise I. Made-conferences Are
to Begin soon-Inability of Court to-
1nflict Death Penalty Recognized
Provisions Regarding Indemnity.

The acute phase of the crisis in the
Chinese negotiations was passed We'd
nesday, when all the interested nations
reached harmonious agreement IN re-
gard to the demands to be made ON the
Chinese government, to which assent
must be given before formal peace nego-
tiations may begin. Instructions We're
sent to Minister Conger by Secretary
Hay to sign the preliminary agreement,
and 1t is now assured that the formal
conferences between LiHung- Chang aud
Prince Ching, the Chinese plenipoten-
tiaries, and the ministers of the powers
will be initiated shortly.
Advices were received ut the State DE
partment from Mr.. Conger that the min
listers had modified the agreement in ac-
cordance with the instructions sent to-
their representatives by the respective
governments. The agreement was neccs-
sarily compromise, but Oh the whole it
is satisfactory to the United States, the
two main points of punishment and III
demnity being arranged in conformity
with the views of the President and Sec
rctary of State. The State Department.
learned that all agreement such as that.
reached would be acceptable. il not whoi-
ly satisfactory, to the other powers.
Compromise ON Pun ish ments.
The main question at issue was that.
of punishmcnts. The ministers had
adopted an article of the agreement
which provided that twelve Chinese dig
nitaries should be executed for their COM
plicity in the anti-foreiyn troubles. No
this the United States objected on the
ground that the Chinese imperial! author
tiles or the powers were unable TO intlict
such severe sentences Oh the powerful
officials named, chief Of whom was Prince
Tuan, the father of the heir apparent
to the throne. Russia promptly came
to the support of the United States in
this contention, and all the other nations
followed suit with the exception of Ger
many, which desired the most exemplary
punishment inflicted on those who were
directly responsible for the murder Of
Baron Won Kcttelcr.
AS result of exchanges within the
last week Germany, it is understood, has
come around to this view that the Chi
ncse government, which is charged by
the powers with the infliction OF the pun
ishments. was unable to carry out capital
sentences on the principal offenders
GUARANTEES, however, must be given that
these men will be punished severely, aud
the powers must have evidence that the
punishments have been carried out III
good faith
AS to indemnity, the agreement con
tains provision that the Chinese gov
crnmenr shall acknowledge liability Tor
injuries to governments, corporations anu,
persons, and agree to pay damages, ac-
tual and exemplary, to be fixed hereafter
IN such manner as the peace plenipoten-
tiaries shall decide. The amounts to be
paid are not fixed nor is any limit of in
demnity named. This government an.,
Russia favor the transfer of the inslc.n-
nifty question to the permanent court of
Srbitration at The Hague. 6f which rN-
President Harrison. Chief Justice Fuller,
Attorney General Grigss aid Judge Gary
Of Delaware, formerly United States
Senator, are the American members
All the other demands heretofore adol,t
ed by the ministers are included in the
agreement, with no ;hatcrial 1nodifca-
,ions. These enebrate the proposals of
France and Germany, the mora radical
being suggested FROM Berlin. While OH
jcctins to some of tham. this government
devoted its efforts mainly to SECURING
notifications of the punishmear and in.
demnity clauses and was finally obliged
to appeal to the powers over the heads
OF the ministers in Ipekin to bring about
the adoption Of less severe tamands in
these matters