The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1901-12-21
REPORT OF ROCKHILL
Special Commissioner Tells Of His
Negotiations with China.
tart Played by the United States In
the Settlement Of Trouble I'm me
Bast--Report Submitted to
Congress.


the results of his work in connection
with the Chinese negotiations in Pc
king has been submitted TO congress
along with the full text of the protoco
which has been already published an,
n mass of detailed statements. II wa
upon this. report that the presiden
based his commendatory reference t.
Mr.. Rockhill's work in his recently pub
Jished message to congress.
beginning by detailing the condi
tions under which he came 10 be ap
pointed in July, 1900. United States
Commissioner to China Mr.. Rockhill
tells of visits he made to the viceroys
Of Shanghai and Wuchnng, which. he
said. did not little to further the in
terests Of peace. Mr.. Rockhill says that
he further concurred in all the meas
ures that Minister Conger had been
and was advocating. These negotia.
tions extended over a period OF IL
months, and Mr.. Rockhill thus sum-
marizes the results in addressing Sec
rotary Hay:
''The circular note which you telegraphed
on July 3, 1900, to our embassies In Europe
ard TO our missions In Vienna. Brussels
Madrid. Toxic, The Hague and Lisbon. de-
fined the policy already then adopted by
the United States In the settlement oil al
fairs in China and from which they never
departed. Bearing these instructions al
ways In mind. the task of the agents OF our
government in Picking was comparative
~ easy one. Throughout the negotiations
our object was to use the influence or our
government In the interest Of justice and
do nd In n
ship to the powers negotiating Jointly with
avs and the Chinese nation.
''The IL demands made by the powers on
china, the accomplishment Of which was
deemed necessary for the restoration OF
normal relations with that country and
which were embodied in the joint note of
December %. 1900 may be classified under
four principal heads:
Il. Adequate punishment for the authors
Of and those guilty of actual participation
In the anti-foreign massacres and riots;
''2. The adoption of measures necessary to
prevent their recurrence;
- The naturalization for losses sus-
tanned By states and foreigners through
these riots: and
-. REINFORCEMENT of ourrelations, both
official and commercial. with the Chinese
government and with China generally.
Saved Many Heads.
sponsible authors and actual perpetrators
Of the anti-foregn outrages. the govern
ment OF the United States, while insist
Ing that all such should be held to the
utmost accountability, declined to deter
mine In every case the nature of the pun
ishment to be inflicted, and maintained
mat the Chinese government itself should
IN all cases carry them out. Owing to
efforts OF the United States towards mod
Grafton, the demands for capital punish
ment were finally reduced from ten to
four, and many names. enormously or
on insufficient evidence, placed on the
lists, were removed, or lighter forms Of
punishment asked for numbers of those
left on them.
While seeking with the other powers
the best means to prevent the recurrence
OF such troubles and to guard In the
future American residents In Picking from
such dangers as they had passed through.
the United States did not lend its sup
port to any plan which contemplated
either the prolonged occupation by for
eign troops Of any portions or points
in China or the erection OF an interna-
tional fort In the city of Picking from
which to carry on friendly relations with
the Chinese government Our policy has
always been In favor of a strong. inde-
pendent and responsible Chinese govern
ment which can and will be held ac-
countable for the maintenance of order
and the protection of our citizens and
their rights under the treaties Through
out the negotiations we strictly adhered
TO this just principle. with results which
have proved beneficial to all
The Indemnity.
LAS regards the third point of the ne
ROTATIONS. the equitable naturalization
of the various states for the losses and
expenses incurred by them in China and
H.. 70, lfau 80
the legations and foreign residents at Pe-
king and restore order. and also the Sc
curing of indemnities to societies, COM
panies and individuals for their private
losses through the anti-foreign riots, the
government of the United States advo-
Gated that the sum total of these in
IDENTITIES should not exceed a reasonable
amount we'll within the power of China
10 pay.
Though II became necessary. after pro-
tracted discussion In the conference. to
accept tho proposition of the other pow
ers to demand of China the sum total
of their losses and disbursements. reach
ing the enormous sum of $33S. 900 900. over
insistence in pressing for much lower
sum, and the weight OF the arguments
adduced In favor of such policy. re-
suited in closing the indemnities at the
above lump sum, when they bid fair TO
40 on swelling indefinitely. This and the
acceptance of your suggestion that the
indemnities be paid in bonds issued at
par and bearing n low rate OF interest
tfour per cent, was finally agreed upon,
and running for 40 years. resulted In saw
ing a vast sum to China, FASTENED the
evacuation of the country by the expedi-
tionary forces and the restoration OF Or
der and of normal relations with the
Chinese government
Such, in brief. has been the role played
by the United States In the conference OF
Pektng. While we maintained complete In
dependence we were able to act harmonl-
ously In the concert of powers the existence
OF which was so essential to the prompt
and peaceful settlement of the situation.
we retained the friendship Of all the nego-
iiating powers, exerted a salutary Influence
IN the cause of moderation, humanity and
justice. secured adequate reparation for
wrongs done our citizens, guarantees for
their future protection and labored sue
cessfully in the interests of the whole
world In the cause OF equal and impartial
trade with all parts Of the Chinese empire"
Funston Coming Home.
Manila, Dec. 12.--Gen. Funston will
sail for the United States on Deem
Der 16 on the transport Warren. The