The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-12-20
REPORT OF RUCKHILL
Special Commissioner TIE Is of His
Negotiations with China.
Part PIayed{by the United States in
the Settlement of Trouble in the
East-RepOrt Submitted to
Congress-.

Washington, Dec. 12.-Ihe long ex-
pected report of Special Commissioner
Rockhill to the secretary Of state on
! 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 protocol
which has been already published and
a mass of detailed statements. 1t was
upon this report that the president
based his commendatory reference to
Mr.. Rockhill's work in his recently pub
lished message to congress.
Beginning by detailing the condi-
lions under which. he came to be APP
pointed in July, 1900, United States
Commissioner to China Mr. RockhilI
tells of visits he made to the viceroys
of Shanghai and Wuchang, 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 1negotia-
tions extended over a period of IA
months, and Mr.. Rockhill- thus sum-
marizes the results in addressing Sec
rotary Hay:
'.'The circular note which you telegraphed
on. July 8, 1900 to our emba ssies in Europe
and 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 of at
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
| n tons
our object was to use the influence of our
government in the interest of justice and
moderation and in spirit of equal friend
ship to the powers negotiating jointly with
us and the Chinese nation.
'"The II. 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:
81. Adequate punishment for the authors
of and those guilty of actual participation
in the anti-foreign massacres and riots;
- The adoption of measures necessary to
prevent their recurrence;
"3. The Naturalization for losses sus-
tanned by states and foreigners through
these riots; and
~. REINFORCEMENT of our relations, both
official and commercial with the Chinese
government and with China generally.
Saved Many Heads.
LAS regards the punishment of the re-
sponsible authors and actual perpetrators
of the anti-foreign 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
that 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, 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
egn troops of any portions or points
in China 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, indie
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.
GAS regards the third point of the ne
gotiation the equitable indemnificati ton
of the various states for the losses and
expenses incurred by them in China and
in sending expeditionary forces to relieve
| the legations and foreign residents at re-
| king and restore order, and also the Sc
curing of indemnltleS 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 m
IDENTITIES should not exceed reasonable
amount well within the power OF emma
to pay.
Though it became necessary, after pro-
tracted discussion in the conference, to
accept the proposition of the other pow
ers to demand of China the sum total
of their losses and disbursements, reach
ing the enormous sum of 1888 100000 over
insiStence in pressing for a much lower
sum, and the weight of the arguments
adduced in favor of such a policy, re-
| suited in closing the indemnitieS at the
above lump sum, when they bid fair to
go on swelling Indefinitely. This and the
acceptance OF your Suggestion llldI INC
| indemnitieS be paid in bonds issued at
par and bearing a low rate of interest
(four 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 eXpedl-
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
Picking. While we maintained complete in
dependence we were able to act harmoni-
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 ali the nego-
tiating powers, exerted 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 III The cause OF equal ano 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
doctors have ordered a change of eli
mate and the general is going home
on sick leave. He has improved in