The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-01-16
INSTRUCTIONS TO coNGER.
viii Set Forth at Length Some Things
Which Are Considered Desirable
for China's Future.

NEW YORK, Jan. ia dispatch to
the Journal OF Commerce from Wash
ington says:
The Instructions to Minister Conger
atPekin, in regard to the United States
in the settlement of the commercial
privileges to be accorded foreigners in
China in the future. have not yet been
perfected in detail. Mr.. Conger has
been advised from time to time OF the
desire Of this country to secure the
broadest possible privileges and 20
have them equal between all nations.
but an effort thus far has been directed
chiefly to the latter point and to re-
straining the hunger Of the powers for
excessive indemnities rather than to
definitions Of what the new privileges
shall be-
Mr.. Conger himself showed a sense
Of the Importance and complications
of the problem by his request that ne
gotiations regarding commerce and in
IDENTITIES be transferred from Pekin to
some other capital. Some regret is felt
at the department Of state that this
proposal was not more cordially well
coined by the powers, but in the nature
Of the case it was not a proposition
upon which the United States could
well insist if it was not generally ac-
ceptable.
Nothing is known at the state de-
partment regarding the reasons why
the proposal was rejected by several
Of the powers beyond the reasons as
signed in one case, that more exact
knowledge Of the situation would pre-
vail at Pezin. That this argument has
some force is frankly admitted, but it is
felt that it would be desirable on some
grounds to get the negotiations out Of
the exclusive control of the ministers
who suffered so much during the siege
Of the legations. As matters stand. the
United States will probably strengthen
Minister Conger by one or two experts
in commercial and financial policies
before the negotiations are completed.
The signing of the protocol by the
Chinese ENJOYS is regarded at the state
department as only the beginning of a
series Of negotiations. Several matters
fully covered by the protocol can be
adjusted in a short time through the
action Of the military officers in China.
Among these matters are the estab-
lishment Of military posts on the route
to Pekin and the distribution Of lega-
tion guards hereafter to be kept at the
Chinese capital. Even these subjects.
simple as they may appear, are not to
be free from friction between the pow
ers themselves and between the civilized
powers on one side and the Chinese gov
ernment on the other.
Then will come the settlement of the
indemnity and the framing Of new COM
merclal treaties which shall do justice
equally well 10 the citizens and SUBJ
Jeets of all the powers. The two sub
jects-the indemnitles and the treaties
will be more or less involved in each
other. The Russian government has ex-
ecuted a cleyer flank movement, if the
report is true that Russia will offer to
accept territorial compensation in Man
churia in lieu Of money, which has been
urged from the beginning by the United
States.
The proposition that China shall sur
render territory is Of a different char
acter. but it will enable Russia to pose
in the attitude Of generous forbear-
ance and friendship to this country,
attributed to her in the recent inter-
view with DeWitte, who stated that by
her apparent compliance with our sug-
gestion she waived the demand for ex-
cessive payment in money. Much of
the skill and diplomacy which has been
required thus far on the part Of the
United States and the other liberal
powers will continue to be demanded
in order to carry out firmly to the end
the policy Of the territorial integrity Of
China and her protection from demands
which it is believed at the state depart
ment are unreasonable.
Much care will be given to the instruc-
tions to Minister Conger in regard to
the commercial treaties. So many ques-
tions are likely to arise which will de-
pend so much upon conditions on the
ground that it may not be possible
to set forth in detail just what the min
lister shall insist upon. These instruc-
tions will set forth at length, however,
some things which are considered de-
sirable for the future development OF
China by the aid Of the citizens and
subjects of the civilized countries.
Whether there is to be direct interyen-
tion by the civilized governments or
not by way of international control Of
Chinese finance. It is felt that their
subjects should have the largest lib
Grty in trayersing the Chinese empire
for trade purposes. setting up estab-
hshments without molestation and en-