The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-09
WASHINGTON ALL RIGHT
Let's Consider Indemnities and Com
mercial Treaties Here.
coNGER'S SUGGESTION MAY Be ACTED ON
Our Minister Cables That There is Reason to
Believe the Empress Dowager is Work
ing Against China's Accepting
The Powers Demands.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated PresS.)
Washington, Jan. S.-The negotiations
which have been pending for some time
some of the subjects of international ne
gotiations, so that they could be taken
up at Washington or at the capital of one
of the other powers, have now advanced
to a stage where there is promise of
satisfactory understanding among the
powers on this move. The plan originated
through a cabled suggestion of Minister
Conger about week ago that there was
little prospect of securing united action
on the subject of indemnity and of new
commercial treaties with China. For this
reason Mr.. Conger suggested that better
progress in the negotiations were likely
to result if these two phases could be
removed from Pekin, and taken up at
some point entirely removed from the
local influences prevailing there.
Mr. Conger's idea met with favorable
consideration from the officials here, and
accordingly the suggestion was communi-
Gated by this Government to the other
powers interested in China. 1t was not
a proposition TO remove the entire field
of peace negotiations from Pekin. but
simply that these two phases. relating
to indemnity ard the commercial treaties,
be taken up at Washington or at one of
the other capitals In executing this
plan, it has been the purpose to assemble
an international commission which could
pass on all questions of indemnity, both
among themselves and as against China
1t would be in the main a conference
among the powers, although it is ex-
pected that Chinese ENJOYS would be in
vited to participate after the proceedings
have reached a stage where unity of
action among the powers was assured
The State Department already has re-
ceived indications as to the general feel
ing of some of the powers on this propo-
sition. But there has not been time for
final action by any of the powers, nor
for such concensus of opinion, as to
foreshadow the result. There appears to
be no reason to anticipate serious oppo-
sition to the transfer, as most of the
powers have appreciated the obstacles at
Pekin in the way of agreement on the
two subjects of indemnity and CONNER
cial treaties.
Minister Conger was heard from today
in cablegram to the State Department
The text of the dispatch was not given
out. but it was made known, that in
substance, Mr. Conger confirmed recent
press reports to the effect that there
was reason to believe the Empress Dc
wager was eXerting her influence against
the acceptance of the demands submitted
by the powers.
These advices lead to apprehension in
official quarters of another crisis in the
negotiations. AS the demands of the
powers are 'irrevocable" they amount to
an ultimatum. so that a refusal on the
part of China to sign would be euuiva-
lent to the rejection of an ultimatum
Under these circumstances, official atten-
tion is already being given to the course
to be pursued in case of a refusal on
the part of China. 1t is the general be-
lief that under no circumstances would
there be a declaration of war to enforce
the demands. but rather a prolonged oc
cupancy of Pekin, which would again in
volve complications over the dismember-
ment of the empire. The position of the
United States happens to be more for
tunate than that of the other powers in
this emergency, for it accepted the word
'irrevocable" with reluctance, and then
instructed Minister Conger to sign with
an express reservation that the execu-
tion of the demands would not lead to
any territorial aggrandizement
The United States Government is seek
ing to insist upon the signing of the
treaty by the Chinese ENJOYS on the
ground that they presented credentials
clothing them with the complete au-
thority to act. without the necessity of
first submitting their acts TO the Imperial
Court for approval. Based on these ere
dentials, Minister Conger and the other
ministers at Pekin are urging that the
ENJOYS should sign without reference TO
the attitude of the court, and in case the
signatures are given. they will be ac-
Cepted as complete EXPRESSION of the
will of the Chinese Government.