Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1900-12-14
USED BITTER WORDS.
chaffee's Recent Note to Won Wal
dersee Was Sharp.
IT CONTAINED A SINGING REBUKE.

Strong Protest Against the Plumber
ing Methods of Foreign Troops
His Sharp Language Regret
ted at Washtngton.
Washington, Dec. 12.-The' war de-
partment has received a report from
Gen. Chaffee of the incident that oc-
CURED at Picking in connection with
the representations to Field Marshal
Won Waldersee. It appears that Gen.
Chaffee did use some pretty vigorous
language in protesting against the
thieving and looting of the foreign
troops. What particularly hurt the
feelings of Waldersee was a pointed
reference by Gen. Chaffee to the fact
that this disgraceful and unmilitary
practice of looting was being INDUCED
in. not by the men who did the fighting
and opened the way to Picking, but by
the late Corners, who had borne none of
the brunt of the conflict and ahrdship.
Waldersee himself did not reach Pc
king until the expeditionary force had
occupied the town.
Regret ChaFee's Action.
1t is recognized here officially that
Gen. Chaffee had provocation for his
deliverance, but regret is felt that he
used this tone in addressing the field
marshal. 1t is significantly pointed
out here that perhaps it was not in
cumbent upon Gen. Chaffee to make
any representations whatever on this
subject to the field marshal. as there is
no longer any official tie between them.
When the United States government
changed the character of it's military
representation in Picking from an ex-
p~editionary force to a mere legation
guard, of course hat guard no longer
came under the control of the COM
mander-in-chief at Picking. but was
simply a part of Minister Conger's Of
fetal household.
Good Feeling Restored.
Washington, Dec. 12.-After the
cabinet meeting Tuesday it was stated
that the good feeling which had ex-
listed between Gen. 0haffee and Count
Won Waldersee prior to the astronom-
zeal instrument incident had been re-
stored and that the two generals had
since dined together very pleasantly.
A Closed incident.
\ Berlin, Dec. 12.-The German foreign
office authorizes the following state
ment regarding the Waldersee-Chaffee
' Incident, based upon a cable dispatch
Just received from Field Marshal Won
Waldersee:
\ Gen. Chaffee wrote Field Marshal Won
Waldersee a letter in a rough tone. Field
| MQrSho1 Won WolSarcaa f,,c4 4 = -oa.l-
1t. returning the same to Gen. Chaffee.
The latter then wrote a second letter apollo
giving for his Objectionable expressions,
whereupon Field Marshal Won Waldersee In
vited Gen. Chaffee to breakfast. and the
incident was amicably closed.''
Peace Negotiations.
| London, Dec. l2.-"Reports from Chi
nese sources" says the Shanghai corre-
spondent of the Times, wiring Monday,
7 point to the probability that serious
negotiations for peace will begin forth
with. 1t is believed that a short pre-
liminary protocol is in process of ar
7 rangement, leaving many questions.
including commercial subjects, to sepa-
rate conventions to be drawn up later.
"The powers should retain their
troops in China until these questions
are settled and until tangible evidence
is given that China honestly intends
to fulfill her engagements. Progress
: sive Cinnamon regard the present as a
great opportunity to overthrow the re.
dictionary Manchu methods and to in
augurate a regime of national prog.
ress.
ut is urged that the powers shall
insist upon the cancellation of the
claim of the present heir apparent
Prince Tuan's son. and the substitution
of an heir of full age, free from any
connection with the Tuan party
Such a man is available. and the step
is declared to be legally possible"
Consider LIS Credentials.
Peking, Dec 10.-The ministers met
to-day to consider the matter of the
credentials of the Chinese plenipo
tentlaries. There is every prospect
that definite steps will be taken fol-
the arrangement of a preliminary set
y Element within a measurable dis
lance; and this greatly relieves thos.
who realized the danger of prolonged
delay in opening negotiations.
Some of the ministers stated thai
they were authorized to treat will
them as representatives of China
while others. including the German
minister, had not received instruc
. lions in the matter.
All decided, however, that as soo1
as Sir Ernest Mason Satow, the Brit
ish minister, shall receive word tt
agree to the joint note they will com
mence negotiations with Ii Huns
Chang and Prince Ching unless other
wise instructed by their home gov
ernments.
Ii Hung Chang visited Gen. Chafe,
to-day. He says that his powers t,
negotiate with the foreign ENJOYS
though conferred by telegraph, ar
absolute and complete.
Votes War Funds.