The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-10
Their Position on the Question of
Removing Negotiations from Pek-
ing to Washington Not known.
HITCH AS TO THE JOINT NOTE
ATTITUDE OF THE EMPRESS DOW
AGER HAS CAUSED DELAY.
Most Important Question Now Con-
fronting the AIIies-MissiOn
Boards Not BlOodthirsty.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-The lengthy
conference held by Ambassador Choate
with Lord Lansdowne, British minister for
foreign affairs, and Ambassador White
with Baron Won Richthoff, German min
lister for foreign affairs, as briefly reported
by cable. relate to the proposition made
by the United States for the removal of
the two subjects of indemnity and CON-
mercial treaties from Peking to Washing
ton or some other foreign capital for
negotiation before an international COM
mission. 1t appears, however, the Berlin
understanding that Mr.. White submitted
a proposal for the withdrawal of troops
from China as soon as the Chinese govern
ment accepts all of the articles of the
joint note except those relating to in
demnity and commercial treaties is rather
an inference from the proposal and not
part of the proposal itself. The United
States has from the outset sought TO pre-
vent a prolonged occupation of China by
the foreign forces. This desire has become
emphasized of late as the refusal of China
to sign raised a direct issue with the
'irrevocable' terms of the powers, threat
ening to bring on prolonged occupation
of Peking and other parts Of the empire.
For this reason it is believed that Mr.
White may have directed attention to the
desirability of a withdrawal but in any
event this has been more in the nature of
a consideration of measures Of mutual ex-
pediency and not direct proposition from
the United States. On the contrary, IL
cannot be learned here that this phase OF a
withdrawal of troops has taken form in any
recent proposition, although IL is at all
times involved in the plans for bringing
the negotiations TO a close.
The various interviews of the American
ambassadors with the foreign governments
have not yet brought about any determi-
nation as to the proposed transfer OF nego-
tiations to point outside Peking. and it is
probable that some days will elapse before
the ambassadors will be able TO advise
the State Department definitely as 10 the
several powers.
Count Quadt, of the German embassy,
had an interview with acting Secretary Hill
to-day concerning some of the incidental
phases of the Chinese question, but not on
the latest proposition of the United States
which is being presented through the
United States embassy at Berlin. IL ap-
pears to be the general sentiment among
diplomatic officials that the most pressing
question is the attitude of the Empress
dowager opposing the peace terms and the
strong indication that those terms will not
be signed by the ENJOYS.
The State Department has had under con-
sideration for some time the question of re-
building the United States legation quar-
ters at Peking. which were badly damaged
and otherwise made unserviceable during
the siege. but no exact plan of action has
been determined upon pending advices from
Mr. Conger as to Just what shall be done.
Where the legation shall be located and
the general dimensions and character OF
the establishment will depend 10 a large
extent upon the outcome OF the present
peace negotiations, as they include ques-
tions affecting the size and permanency OF
the legation quarters and guards. When
the information is sufficiently in hand from
Mr. Conger the State Department Will ask
Congress for an appropriation.