The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-08
PLAY FOR TINE.
China is Showing Little Dis
position to Sign
The Joint Proposal the Powers
Recently Submitted.
Ii FEIGNS SICKNESS
1t is Believed in Order to Secure
Additional Delay.
In the Meantime Slaughter by
Germans Goes On.

Pekin, Jan. 8-The protest Of the
viceroy of Yang Use to the signing of
the joint note has created little surprise
here but the fact that the other south
ern viceroys also have protested causing
the court to instruct the plenipoten-
tiaries not to sign the note, created a
great sensation in PeIxin. The agree
ment has not yet been presented for
sigma ture. The ministers believe, how
ever, that Prince Ching is too irreyoca-
bly, bound verbally and think he will
sign.
The objections Of the southern vice
roys are precisely the same as those
which the court originally telegraphed
to Prince Ching and Lii Hung Chang,
the court eventually agreed to endeavor
to make better terms after the signing
of the note.
The court doubtless was Influenced by
the protests from the south because 1t
was generally felt that the dynasty had
less influence there than in the north
Chang Chi Tung has strongly urged
the court not to return to Pekin but to
establish a capital in the Yang Use val
ley. He says this will strengthen the
south toward the Chinese cause and
that the signing of the agreement as it
exists at present would be a most ser
iouS menace to the dynasty as the state
Of the country Is doubtful. The note
will be signed if China is very sincere IN
carrying out the provisions OF the
agreement.
public. His attendants claim that he is
suffering from a. serious relapse, though
many persons think his relapse is made
a convenience SO the signing of the note
can be delayed until the court can be
heard from again.
Won Rogue, a nephew of Count Won
Waldersee, rode seventy miles yester-
day, bringing the news of a battle be-
tween the Chinese and German troops
to the northeast of Pekin. Three com
panies of infantry and one troop Of
Uhlans met 1000 Chinese.
An engagement ensued in which 200
Chinese were killed and 300 were wound
ed. Three German soldiers were killed
and one officer and several men were
wounded. The remainder of the Chinese
fed.
A German expedition in the northern
district encountered at Sze Hal Kong
twenty miles northwest of the Junction
of the Great Wall 1000 Chinese. The
Germans retired to Lui Tin Flu, where
they We're reinforced. The country is
exceedingly mountainous and the village
is in an enclosed valley with a walled
entrance. The Germans advanced to at
tack the WALL whereupon the Chinese
had mounted ten cannon including four
old Krupps. A mountain battery bonn
barded the place for an hour and the
position was then taken at the point of
the bayonet Three hours further fight
ing occurred before the enemy were
driven out of the valley. The Chinese
loss is estimated at 200 and the Ger
mans lost one killed and four wounded.
The Germans. after destroying all the
dwellings,. retired to Yen King.
INDEMNITY MAKES TROUBLE
New York, Jar. 8.-A special to the
Herald from Washington says:
Complications are again clOuding the
Chinese situation. A dispatch has been
received from Minister Conger confirm
ing the report of the failure Of the CHI
nese ENJOYS to sign the preliminary
agreement reached by the powers. Tne
Indemnity question causing the authorl-
ties concern, and the agitation felt il.
European chancellories over the Russo
China agreement regarding Manchuaria
has communicated itself to officials here.
Minister Conger will try to induce the
Chinese ENJOYS to accept promptly the
preliminary demands of the powers ana
begin the negotiations for a permanent
treaty. The state department has ad-
dressed inquiries to the powers as to the
method to be pursued to reach a speedy
and effective disposition Of the claims
for indemnity.
Europe will be allowed to deal with
the Russo-C Chinese agreement, the Uni
ted States not entering, for the present
at least, into the discussion, or iInpugn-
ing Russia s purpose to evacuate Man
churia. At the same time the authori-
ties think it advisa bic for the protection
of American interests to keep advised of
Russia's conduct, although it is not
watched with the keenness with which
every act of Germany and Great Britain
is scrutinized.
1t is understood that the next cabinet
will consider the Chinese question, es-
pecialIy with relation to the indemnity
and it is expected that this government
will finally recommend that the matter
be left to The Hague court Of arbitra-
ton.
OPPOSED BY PSI AN
Washington, Jan. 8.-Minister Conger
cables the state department that there
is ground for belief that the empress
dowager is opposing the acceptance by
China Of the demands of the powers.