The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-15

Opposition OF European Powers Causes
Withdrawal OF Proposal to Hold
Chinese Conference In Washington.

Washington. January 10.-The propo-
sition submitted by The president 70
ransTer the negotiations OF the ques-
tions Of indemnity and revision of COM
merctal rea1es TO some other place
than Pekin was designed TO facilitate
the conclusion Of the Chimes negotia-
lions. as 4 whole. by separating tho-e
still requiring considerable delibera-
ton from tiacse already determined. As
some OF the powers do no< look with
favor upoa this separation. and others
hesitate 10 decide the question. the
president las deemed it advisable 10
the proposition and has d.
rected the diplomatic representatives OF
the United States - 10 inform the gov
ernments TO which the proposition Was
addressed.
Al b SAM time desiring above al
else 10 avoid decay in the progress OF
the negotiations. the president has d.
rected MI. Ccnger 10 urg forward their
completion at Pekin- The other gov-
ernnlents also have been Urgently r.
quested TO avoid all Unnecessary delay
in completing tine settlement OF the Chi
nese question
The foregoing gives in authoritative
form the important action determined
upo n carried out today
The stale department. has received an
important communication from the
German government relating to the
Chinese question. The nature of the
communication has not been disclosed.
Paris, January l0.-The CORRESPONDENTS.
here or the Associated Press learns OF
good authority that fhA <ffpc,acfd1, -,
the government OF the United States 20
change the seat OF the Chinese peace
negotiations from Pekin TO Washington.
will be declined by the powers.
1t was added that this important step
was insignificant. compared with the
difficulties to be met with between the
powers themselves. whose ciashing ia
terests viii have full play in coming
discussions The United States pro-
posal to shift. the seat of the negotIa-
tlons finds nss favor in the European
chanceHories. Three reasons are given
for this opposition:
l. Ii Is considered a great mistake
TO TRANSFER the negotiations from China,
where all the Information is at hand
respecting the situation and the feeling
among the Chinese themselves.
2 The United States with
China is comparatively small when
compared with that OF several other
countries. Therefore the United States
is not entitled 10 expect the negotIa-
lions no be carried on at Washington.
3. The European powers have not
felt sufficient confidence that the United
states government might not find it
self influenced in the negotiations at
washington ty the pressure OF inter-
estS having an y to the exploitation
of China Tile attitude OF some OF the
powers. moreover. is swayed by other
motives in opposing the United States
Great Britain, for example.
which seems to be the most strongly
a~ntagnostic. las probably taken into
consideration the United States atti-
tude towards the Clayton Bulwer
treaty.
The feeling here favors Shanghai. if
any change Is made. as 1t is pointed
out that Shanghai Is the most important
trade center in China. and. moreover.
that the southern viceroys. who are ia
Vorable to foreigners and ious TO
further trade. could make their anlu-
ence felt. Failing Shanghai. Berlin or
Paris are more likely to be chosen. The
enormous British interests are In favor
of the choice of London. but 1t Is I'M
probable that the other powers will
agree to his.
There is no reason to suppose that
Russia will withdraw from the Joint
negotiations. The treaty she has con-
with China concerns her spe-
interests in regions contiguous to
her territories. but she has great politi-
cal interests to defend and. further Ir
the joint conference which will bristle
with obstacles ITO a speedy settlement.
Russsia aims chiefly at a wide expan-
sion of her political influence. Great
Britain want to roughly pen the Chi
nese empire 10 her commerce and at
the same time strengthen her political
foothold. The United States efforts.
apparently. win be devoted to securing
commercial advantages. while France
and Germany will desire to increase
their trade generally and their polfti-
cal influence IN certain provinces.
The struggle between these conflict
ing designs will be bitter and, in any
will greatly protract the negotia-
lions.
One thing which Great Britain and
the United States wish secured is the
raising OF the prohibition which now
exists in China gains foreigners ac-
landed fntereSts