Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-12-18

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
ly easy one. Throughout the negotiations
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.
1.-THE IL 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 p. 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:
2. The adoption Of measures necessary to
prevent their recurrence;
''3 The naturalization for losses sus-
tanned by states and foreigners through
these riots; and
"A. 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, or 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 they had passed through,
the United States did not lend it's sup
port to any plan which contemplated
either the prolonged occupation by for
eign troops of any portions or points
in China or 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 strong, indie
pendent and responsible Chinese govern
ment which can Sand will be held &C
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.
''As regards the third point of the ne
gotiations, the equitable indemniflcatiOn
of the various states for the losses and
expenses incurred by them in China and
in sending expeditionary forces to relieve
he md a
king and restore order, and also the Sc
curing of indemnities 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 in
IDENTITIES should not exceed reasonable
amount we'll within the power of China
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 $333, 10000, over
insistence in pressing for a much lower
sum- and the weight of the arguments
adduced in favor of such 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 that the
indemnities be paid in bonds issued at
par and bearing a low rate of interest
QOur 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 expedi-
tionary forces and the restoration Of or
der and of normal relations with the
Chinese government.
All Agreed ON Last Proposition.
mo divergence of views existed for
tunately between the representatives OF
the powers on the question of improving the
channels of direct communication between
them and the Chinese government. The
long vexed question Of the ceremonial to
be observed in the public audiences graft
ed by the emperor of China to foreign rep
resentatives was finally settled by the
plenipotentiaries on lines perfectly salts
factory to all parties to the negotiations.
The tsung-li-yamen, or bureau Of foreign
affairs, which the experience of 40 years
had shown Chinese and foreigners alike
was unwieldy and incapable Of discharging
the duties devolving upon it. was altered in
the way suggested by the conference.
changed into a responsible ministry of
foreign affairs and organized on lines sim
liar to those adopted in-every other coun-.
try, of the world. -
''Spch, in brief, has been the role played
by the United States in the conference of
Picking. While We maintained complete in
dependence we We're able to act harmoni-
ously In the concertof powers the existence
OF which was so essential to the prompt
and peaceful settlement of the situation,
we retained the friendship of all the nego-
t1attng powers, exerted a salutary influence
in the cause of moderation. humanity and
Justice, secured adequate reparatton for
wrongs done our citizens, guarantees for
their future protection and labored sue
cessfully in the interests of the whole
world In the cause of equal and impartial
trade with all parts of the Chinese empire :.
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