Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-09
May Cause a Break in Chinese Ne
hgotiations.
INFLUENCE HAlNSr PEACE TERMS
Conferences Held by Our Foreign
Ambassadors.
COUNT QUADT CALLS

The long conferences held by Amba ssadof
Choate with Lord Landsdowne, British
minister for foreign affairs, and Ambassa-
dor White with Baron Won Richthofen,
German minister for foreign affairs, as
briefly reported by cable relate to the prop
osition recently made by the United States
for the removal of the two subjects of in
demn1ty and commercial treaties from
Pekln to Washington or some other foreign
capital for negotiation before an interna-
tional commission
1t appears, however, that the Berlin I'M
Outstanding that Mr.. White submitted a
proposal from the United States for the
withdrawal of troops from China as soon
as the Chinese government accepts all of
the articles of the JOINT note, except those
relating to indemnity and commercial trea-
ties, is rather anfnference from the propo-
sal, and not a part of the proposal itself.
The United States has from the outset
sought to avoid a prolonged occupancy of
CHINA by the foreign forces. This desire
mas become emphasized Of late, as the re-
fusal of China to sign raised direct issue
with the irrevocable'' terms of the powers.
Whlch threatened to bring on prolonged
occupation of Pekin and other parts Of the
empire.
For this reason it is believed that Mr..
White may have directed attention to the
oSoi dpilltS OIL d. WftnQraWal, out III any
event this has been more in the nature of
conversation on measures Of mutual expe-
dlency. and not a direct proposition from
the United States. On the contrary 1t cam
not be learned here that this phase of a
withdrawal of troops has taken form in any
recent proposition. although it is at all
times involved in the plans for bringing the
negotiations to close.
Attitude of Powers Not Learned.
The various interviews of the American
ambassadors with foreign governments have
not yet brought about any determination as
to the proposed transfer of negotiations to
point outside Pekin, and it is probable that
some days will elapse before the ambassa-
doris will be able to advise the State De-
partment definitely as to the attitude of the
several powers.
Minister Conger was not heard from dur
ing the early part of theday, SO that it is
accepted that material change in the
status OF the negotiations has occurred.
Apprehensfve of a Crisis.
Minister C6nger's advices to the State
Department ,aesteEday to the effect that
the empress dowaaar is directing her influ-
ence against the signing of the peace treaty
lead to some !apprsNension in official quar-
tiers of another crisis in the negotiations.
AS the demands oil the powers remain "ir-
reVocable' they amount to an uitimatum,
so that refusal on the part Of China to
sign would be, equivalent to the rejection
of an ultimstuln,t, Under these circum-
stances Official attfntion is already being
given as to the course to be pursued in
case of a refusal on the part of China.
1t is the general belief that under no CIR
cumstances WOULD there be declaration of
war to enrorGe the demands, but rather a
prolonged occupancy of Pekin which would
again Involve com24irationse over the d.s-
memberment Of the empire. The position
o. the United Etates happens to be more
fortunate than that of the other power,
In TINS emergency, FOR it accepted the word
'lrrevocable' with reluctance and then
instructed Minister Corger to sign with IN
express reservation that the execution Of
the demands would not lead to any terri
tcrlal aggrandizsment.
Urging ENJOYS to Ignore Court.
In view of the delays of the Chinese en-
voys and the adverse influence Of the en-
press dowager the United States govern
ment is seeking to insist upon the signing
Of the treaty by the Chinese ENJOYS on the
ground that they presented credentials
clothing them with complete authority to
act without the necessity Of first submit
ting their acts to the imperial court for
approval. Based on these credentials, Minis
ter Conger and the other ministers at Pc
kin are urging that the ENJOYS sign with
out reference to the attitude of the court,
and in case the signatures are given they
will be accepted as a complete expression
Of the will of the Chinese government
1t appears to be the general sentiment
among diplomatic officials that the most
pressing question OF the moment is the at
titude Of the empress dowager opposing he
peace terms and the strong indication that
these terms wifi not be signed by the en-
voys.
Conference With Count Quadt.
Count Quadt Of the German embassy had
i,tar Acfj