Evening star., 1901-02-20
SITUATION IN CHINA
This Government Has Not Addressed
the Powers,
INSTRUCTIONS TO MINISTER CONGER
Copies Are Sent to Our Represen-
tatives at Foreign Courts.
GEN. CHAFFEE' COU RISE

The State Department has not yet found
1t necessary to address itself to any OF the
European governments or Japan through
their foreign officers respecting its dissent
to the proposed military campaign in China
The only influence brought to bear upon
the powers by the department in that III
rection has been exerted. through Minister
Conger, who has already expressed himself
to the other foreign ministers at Pekin.
The State Department last night sent a
copy of the instructions given to Mr. Con-
ger to our diplomatic representatives at
each of the capitals of the interested pow
ers. But 1t Is stated that this was done
with the sole purpose OF keeping our rep
resentatives thoroughly Informed OF the
progress of the negotiations, and I'm no case
were they instructed to make this Conger
dispatch the basis for direct communica-
tions with the governments to which they
accredited. OF course, the message
will enable them to make proper answer To
any inquiry that might be addressed 10
them.
Approval of Chafec's Course.
Gen. Chaffees course has been entirely
approved. and he has been notified to that
effect. 1t begins to appear that whether
or not the proposed military campaign is
inaugurated, the threat had the effect to
stimulate the negotiations at Pekin. which
may. after all, have been the sole purpose
of the agitation. 1t is true that no official
advices have been received from Minister
Conger to indicate that the Chinese negotia-
tors have finally accepted the terms of the
punishment stipulations, but the belief APP
proaches conviction that the Chinese are
about to accept the inevitable. and that
this delay is the last desperate effort 10
secure easier terms.
Minister WI again at the State De
partment today in search of information
he had none to give.
Instructions Accord With Past Policy.
The State Department officials decline to
make public the text of the Conger note.
However, it was said to be in perfect accord
with the policy already developed, and tn
make manifest the deep conviction OF the
United States government that these pro-
posed hostile expeditions are In violation of
the rights of the individual parties to the
peace negotiations, because tending to bring
about the failure Of these negotiations. If
the threat of military expeditions Is based
upon a desire to force the Chinese ENJOYS
TO speedier action upon the ministerial pro-
posals. then II must be stated that our gov
ernment disapproves, feeling that Il has not
yet been demonstrated sufficiently that the
Chinese government Is not acting to the
best of its ability. Regarding the insistence
of the foreign ministers on the imposition
of the death penalty upon the whole list OF
prescribed Chinese officials. It Is recalled
that the Chinese agreed to administer the
severest possible punishment, and il is con-
ceived here that it may be entirely impos-
sible tor that government to go to the
length demanded by the ministers. These
considerations are of course known tn the
foreign ministers in Pekin. but it will be
Mr.. Conger's duty to refresh their reccllec-
tons as to the engagements their govern
ments entered into with the United States.
as well with China. and he will point out
that attitude Is In exact accordance
with the outline laid down in the formal
notes preceding the beginning OF the nego-
tiations. The United States government
viii continue to deal with the other powers
through their diplomatic agencies. ignoring
the suggestion that the ministers al Pekin
have no control over the military forces
stationed there and carrying out the same
theory Gen. Chaffee Will act In thorough
harmony with any suggestions made by Mr..