The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-09
MAYNEGOTIATEHER
,,,ry-MAKING MAY BE DONE IN
IN WASHINGTON.
POWERS MAY AGREE TO IT.
og,vA DOES NOT BREAK OFF
" ALL UNDERSTANDING.

~ Empress DOwager Is Getting
rotv-Protest of Southern Viceroys
tn. Its EfTect-Chang Chi Tung
zoos court Not to Return to
.,-,n but to Establish a New Cap
IN Vang-tse Valley-Li Hung
Chang Keeps Ill
,,..sbington. Jan. S.-The negotiations
u.,,ob have been pending for some time
.Ave to the removal from Pekin of
of the subjects in international
negotiations, so that they could be taken
rn at Washington, or at the capital or
.no If the other Powers, have now ad-
,,onced TO a stage where there is promise
- satisfactory understanding among
Il +,o Powers on this move. The plan origi-
4 na+o5 through a cabled suggestion of
NlnisteA Conger about a week ago. that
there Tas little prospect of securing
united action on the subject of indemnity
and of new commercial treaties with
China For this reason Mr.. Conger sug-
eested that better progress in the nego-
ti,tions were likely to result if these two
r5ases could be removed from Pekin,
and taken up at some point entirely re-
moved from the local influences prevail
4 ing there.
Mr. Congers idea met with favorable
4 consideration from the officials here, and
8 accordingly the suggestion was communi-
q Gated by this government to the other
II Powers interested in China. Ii was not
proDosition to remove the entire field
Of peace negotiations from Pelzin, but
d simply that these two phases. relating to
& indemnity, and the commercial treaties,
be taken up at Washington or at one of
q the other capitals.
In executing this plan it has been the
81 purpose to assemble an international COM
n mission which could pass on all questions
"a Of indemnity, both among themselves and
as against China. 1t would be in the
Fl though it is expected that Chinese ENJOYS
would be invited to participate after the
& proceedings have reached a, stage where
unity Of action among the Powers was
assured.
q The state department. already has re-
e ceived indications as to the general feel
a ing of some of the Powers on this propo-
n sOn. But there has not been time for
= final action by any of the Powers, nor
81 for such consensus of opinion as to fore
shadow the result There appears to be
# #Ino reason to anticipate serious opposition
s. 10 the transfer. as most of the Powers
have appreciated the obstacles at Pekin
81 in the way of an agreement on the two
x subjects of indemnity and commercial
81 treaties.
Minister Conger was heard from to-day
a in cabiegram to the State Department.
" The text of the dispatch was not given
y out but it was made known thai, in sub
stance, Mr.. Conger confirmed recent press
# reports to the effect that there was rea-
son TO believe the Empress Dowager was
e eXertng her influence against the accept
ance Of the demands submitted by the
Powers These advices lead to apprehen-
sion IN official quarters of another crisis
IN the negotiations. AS the demands Of
g 'ae Powers ere 'irrevocable' they amount
10 an ultimatum, so that a re-
iusaI on the part of sChina
10 sign would be equivalent to
NJ the rejection of an ultimatum. Under
'nese circumstances, official attention is
aIeady being given to the course to be
pursued in case of a refusal on the part
VI emma. Ii is the general belief that un-
ueI no circumstances would there be
4 ueelaratlon of war to enforce the de-
Hdnus but rather a prolonged occupancy
oi Fekln which would again involve com
plcauons over the dismemberment of the
& empire The position of the United States
happens to be more fortunate than that
81 lne other Powers in this emergency for
accepted the word "irrevocable" with
IeIuctance, and then instructed Minister
A VoHser to sign with an express reserva-
loh that the execution of the demands
you'd not lead to any territorial aggran-
Inc United States government is seek
s 10 INSIST upon signing of the treaty
tne Chinese ENJOYS, on the ground
.Idt they presented credentials clothing
's neH with complete authority to act.
"i'"out the necessity of first SUBMITTING
u'eH acts to the imperial court for ap-
L,oEal' Based on these credentials
aHIsier Conger and the other ministers
at Fekln are urging that the envoys
aolA sign without reference to the at
r'aue OIL the court, and in case the sig
na'uIes are given they will be accepted
complete expression of the will of
''e Chlnese government