The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-09
Conger Cables that the Empress Dow
ager Is Opposing Acceptance of
Demands of Powers.
PROTEST FROM vICER0Ys
SOUTHERN PROVINCES OF CHINA OP-
POSING PEACE AGREEMENT.
Germans Capture n Walled Village,
Kill and Wound 500 Chinese, and
Lose but Three Men Killed.

WASHINGTON, Jan. s.-The hegotia-
tions which have been pending for some
time relative to the removal from Peking
Of some OF the subjects Of International
negotiations that they could be taken
UP at Washington or at the capital of
one of the other powers have now ad
vanced to a stage where there is promise of
a satisfactory understanding among the
powers on this move. The plan originated
through suggestion of Minister Conger.
cabled about week ago, to the effect that
there was little prospect of securing united
action on the subject of indemnity and of
new commercial treaties with China, Mr..
Conger suggested that better progress in
the negotiations was likely to result il
these two phases could be removed from
Peking and taken up at some point en-
tirely removed from local influences.
Mr.. Conger's idea met with favorable
consideration here, and the suggestion was
made to the other powers interested in
China that the matter of Chinese indemnity
and Of commercial treaties be taken up at
Washington or at one of the other capitals.
If this plan be adopted an international
commission will be created which can pass
on all questions of indemnity, both among
the powers and as against China. 1t would
be i'm the main conference among the
powers, although it Is expected that Chi
nese ENJOYS would be invited to participate
after the proceedings reach a stage where
unity OF action among the powers was as
sured. The State Department has already
received indications as TO the general feeling
of some Of the powers on this proposition
N he no fO 70
serious opposition to the transfer, as most
of the powers have appreciated the OBJ
.stacles at Peking in the way of an agree
commercial treaties.
Minister Conger was heard from to-day
in a cablegram to the State Department
The text of the dispatch was not given
cut, but 1t was made known that in SUBJ
stance Mr.. Conger confirmed recent press
reports TO the effect that there was rea-
son to believe the Empress dowager was
exerting her influence against the accept
ance Of the demands submitted by the DOW
ers. 1t the feeling among officials here
that the influence still welded by the EN-
press dowager may lead to serious COM
plications in case she seeks to bring to a
halt the negotiations now pending. The
powers. by stating their demands to be
irrevocable, made them practically an ulti-
natum, and while a refusal to sign by
China would not result in a declaration of
war to enforce the demands, there
would be a prolonged occupancy of Peking
and this might lead to fresh complications
threatening to the integrity Of the Chinese
empire. The United States government is
seeking to insist upon the signing of the
treaty by the Chinese ENJOYS on the ground
that they presented credentials clothing
them with complete authority to act with
out the necessity of first submitting their
acts to the imperial court for approval.
Based on these credentials, Mr.. Conger and
other ministers at Peking 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 a complete expression of the will
of the Chinese government.