Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-25
Ministers at Pekin Cannot Agree on
Police System.
some OBJECTION TO EACH PLAN
M. de Giers Holds Aloof From the
Conference.
THE INDEMNITY QUESTION

PEKIN, March 4.-The foreign ministers
seem utterly unable to agree as to the best
method of policing the legation quarter
The proposition most favored by the major
fty and most complained of by the minori-
ty is one providing that men of the regu-
lar armies shall be detailed for the service
under one officer connected with the allies
United States Special Commissioner Rock
hill is one who objects to this plan, as is
also the British minister, Sir Ernest Satow,
who says that though an international
force is desirable it would be better that
the police detail should be composed of
soldiers who are not liable to be called
away when they are most useful 1t is also
undesirable, he thinks. that the command
ant should be an officer actively connected
with any army, while the intention to
make each legation practically armed
camp is great mistake and is liable to
cause friction, and it would be better far
to make a general international district.
Chinese Wish to Annul Agreement
The home ministers are seriously consid-
ering the advisabiity of asking the gov
ernments to reconsider the decision in favor
Of big legation guards as being liable not
only to keep the court from returning to
Pekin, but also continual source of
danger in the dealings with the Chinese
as 1t would be impossible to keep the
guards entirely within the legation quarter
which condition Prince Ching and Ii Hung
Chang insist upon, saying that otherwise
1t would be impossible to guarantee order
especially when the Chinese troops shall
have returned to Pekin. One drunken SOL
dier outside the foreign settlement, they
say, might cause another war.
The time which the Russians have given
the Chinese to sign the Manchlrian agree
ment expires on Tuesday, and should the
agreement not be signed then Russia will
break off the negotiations. The agreement
practically annexes Manchuria.
Prince Ching and Ii Hung Chang con-
suited this morning, but did not decide
either to sign the convention or appeal to
the powers.
On behalf of China Ii Hung Chang de-
sires to express gratitude to America for
her position in the matter.
NJ. de Giers Gives OGense.
The attitude of M. de Giers, the Russian
minister. at the meeting of the foreign rep
resentatives Is embarrassing and causes
considerable annoyance. He refuses either
to agree with the other ministers or holds
apart entirely. - .
A committee will consider the question
of China's ability as regardssindemnity and
the most practical methods for guarantee
ing payment of indemnity to the powers.
It is not thought likely, on account OF
Sir Robert Hart's increasing age and the
gradual approach of feebleness that he will
continue long in charge of the imperial GUS
toms on behalf Of the powers.
The bodies Of Capt. Riley and seven en-
listed men which were buried at the Amer
lean legation were removed to the Temple
of Agriculture this morning with military
honors, Gen. Chaffee and his entire staff
accompanying the remains. The body OF
an American marine which was buried at
I, rr,f1l 1Na rod an
Tuesday with the same honors. The bodies
will leave on board the transport Egbert
for the United States about the middle OF
April.
The Signal Corps has completed all ar
rangements and is awaiting transportation
to Manila.