The true northerner., 1901-02-08
HAD A CONFERENCE
Chinese Plenipotentiaries and For.
eign ENJOYS Had a Meeting.
THE QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT
Considered BY Them-Chinese Repre-
sentatives Ask That Banishment Be
Substituted for Death in Some In
stances

Pekin, Feb. 6.-The Chinese plenipo-
tentiaries, Prince Ching and Ii Hung
Chang, mad protracted meeting
Tuesday morning with the foreign en-
voys. Twelve names of prominent Chi
nese officials were submitted with the
request that China keep faith with the
powers and punish the persons named
commensurately with their ofIenses.
The Chinese plenipotentiaries re-
piled that China's earnest hope was to
carry out fully the demands of the
powers and that she felt sure the pun
ishment which would be inflicted
would be satisfactory. 1t was discov-
cred that two out of II of the persons
named were already dead.
In certain cases the Chinese pleni-
potentiaries gave reasons why the
punishment inflicted should be Danish
ment and not death, asserting that. in
these cases, they particularly desired
Punishment not because the persons in
question were so closely related to the
throne.
After long conversation on the
subject Of punishment it was decided
that the foreign ENJOYS. should draw
up a full list of all accused officials,
national and provincial, with indict-
ments specifying the guilt of each and
a statement of the punishment re-
quired, which would then be presented
to. the Chinese plenipotentiaries, for
definite action.
Ii Hung Chang, who is very weak
from his recent illness, had to be car
ried in and out of the british legation.
He is unable to walk, but his head
seems as clear as ever.
The foreign ENJOYS were Impressed
with the evident desire of both Prince
Ching and Ii Hung Chang to come to
terms. Prince Ching asked whether,
provided China showed by every
means in her power a desire to carry
out the terms Of the joint note the for
eign troops would leave Pekin.
The foreign ENJOYS replied that this
was a subject they could not discuss
beyond saying that, if everything were
satisfactory they believed the powers
would begin 10 withdraw the troops
early in the coming spring, but that
this depended largely upon the Chi
nese themselves.
Prince Ching and Ii Hung Chang
said they desired to know the names
of the places where guards would be
kept for the purpose of maintaining
communication with the sea- in ac-
cordance with the terms of the Joint
note. They were informed that this
was a subject regarding which the
military authorities had more accurate
knowledge Inan the ENJOYS, but that
at present no determination had been
reached.
Prince ching was anxious to know
what provision would be made to con-
troll the legation guards and to pre-
vent them from disturbing business
He asked if the guards would be al
lowed over all parts of the city.
To this inquiry the reply was given
that the guards would certainly not be-
allowed to interfere with any avoca-
tions of the Chinese, but would be
merely kept to guard the legations in
case OF necessity. Prince Ching was
assured that. in whatever part of the
city the legation guards might go they
would be required to conform to laws
which would be agreed upon, under
pain of severe punishment for. any in
fraction.
agreed upon. under pain of severe pun.
ishment for any infraction.
The Chinese plenipotentiaries also
touched upon the question of the forts,
asking if il would be necessary to de-
stroy these. AS there seemed to be
some diversity Of opinion among the
foreign ENJOYS regarding, this matter,
it was left. over untiI the question of
has been definitely de-
cided
Count Won Waldersee has left for
Shan Hal Kwan.