Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-12-20
Conecr in n raise Position.

Washington, Dec 20Nothintss IS
known at the state department concern
ing the terms of the agreement which 1t
is reported has been reached By the nlri-
listers al Pekin, altfo the oiticiais are
inclined to the opinion that II il the
English demand. which is practically the
policy of Secretary of State Hay and
the Washington government. II devsl-
oped last night. however, that Minister
SConger. thru a clerical error in I transiat-
ing his Instructions, the use of a wrong
grouping of characters has been pursu
ing course diametrically opposite TO
that which the administration Intended.
As explained by high official of the
state department, the press dispatches
from Pekin have been followed With.
amazement by the president and Secre-
tary Hay. for the reason that the differ
eut stages of the negotiations conducted
by Minister Conger as reported IN the
newspapers were contrary to and IN Vi
ola tioa of his instructors
The department made inquiries which
resulted In disclosing the fact that Mi.
Conger had been proceeding under a
wrong translation of his Instructions
The officials explain that the error WAS
purely clerical and freely excuse Minis
ter Conger.
1t is impossible at this time for the Of
ficials of the state department to gay TO
What stage the negotiations We're car
ried under the erroneous translation of
Mr.. Conger' . instructions.
Three days ago, when the mistake was
discovered, new instructions werc sent
the American minister, $40 framed as TO
make it practically Impossible for a
wrong translation TO be made, and the
agreement now reported was probabaly
reached under them. 1t was compara-
lively easy for Nh. conger upon receiv-
ing the new Instructions 10 reverse his
courss. and start upon a new lire Of ne
gotiation. A message from MIR. Conger
is awaited.
AS TO KUANG lis US sCoNyERSION
Proof the Emperor studied tho Bible
Hut None That He is q Christian.
Pekin, Dec. 20.-For some time there
have been stories afoat concerning the
alleged conversion of the Chinese emper-
or to Christianity. but II is impossible
to trace the reports to authentic sources
Missionaries have been investigating
them, but are unable to corroborate
what It is most devoutly hoped is true
1t is certain that since the flight of the
court the emperor has had no opportu-
nifty of hearing Christian teachings.
The probable origin Of the report has
been deciphered by correspondent ir
the imperial palace, where foreign visit
crs, including Herbert F. Squiers. sec-
retary of the United States legation
found TRANSACTIONS of foreign religious
works, the bible and various doctrina
exposltions, protestant and Catholic
among them.
The visitors jumped to the conclusion
that the emperor had adopted Christian
ity, but those who are better Informed
know that the emperor studied III,
Christian doctrines for the sake of in
formation. with the same purpose tina
he investigated all foreign civilization.
and religions. In this course he wa.
urged on by the reform leaders, led b.
Kang Yu Wei.
1t is well known that when the EN-
press dowager received a costly Bibl
40 present from the foreign mission