Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-08
ORDER NOT TO SIGN
Sent by Chinese Court to Its ENJOYS
in Pekin.
ACTION CREATES LITTLE SURPRISE
German Troops Continue to Make
War on the Chinese.
TWO FIG II rs r Z p O r L Z ID

PEkIN January S.-The protest Of the
viceroy of Yang Use to the signing of the
joint note has created little surprise here,
but the fact that the other southern vice
roys also have protested, causing the court
TO instruct the penpotentiaries not to sign
the note, created a great sensation In Pc
kin. The agreement has not yet been pre-
sented for signature. The ministers be-
lieve, however, that Prince Ching is too
irrevocably bound verbally, and think he
will sign ton orrow-
The objections of the southern viceroys
are precisely the same as those which the
court originally telegraphed to Prince
Ching, ard concerning which, on the rep
reservations of Prince Ching and Lii Hung
Chang the court eventually agreed to en-
deavor to make better terms after the
signing os the note.
The court doubtless Influenced by
the protests from the south because it was
generally felt that the dynasty had less
influence there than in the north.
Urged to Select New Capital.
Chang Ch-Tung has strongly urged the
court not to return to Pekin, but to estab-
lish a capital in the Yang Use valley. He
says this will strengthen the south toward
the Chinese cause, and that the signing of
the agreement as it exists a present would
be most serious menace to the dynasty
as the state of the country is doubtful.
The note will be signed if China is very
sincere in carrying out the provisions of
the agreement.
Ii Hung Chang is invisible to the public.
His attendants claim that he is suffering
from severe relapse. though many per-
sons think his relapse Is made a convenience
so the signing of the note can be delayed
until the court can be heard from again.
Count Won Rogue a nephew of Count
Won WalderSee. rode seventy miles yester-
do hriv Cin Of a la hpf fCop
the Chinese and German troops to the
northeast of Pekin. Three companies of
infantry and one troop of uhlans met 1900
Chinese. An engagement enSued in which
100 Chinese were killed and 300 wounded.
Three German soldiers We're killed and one
officer and several men We're wounded. The
remainder of the Chinese fed.
Report of Another Engagement.
A German expedition in the northern dis
trict encountered at Sze-Ha-Kong, twenty
miles northwest of the junction of the
great wall, 5000 Chinese. The Germans re-
tired toward Lui-Tin-Fu. where they were
reinforced. The country is exceedingly
mountainous and the village is in an in
closed valley with a walled entrance. The
Germans advanced to attack the wall.
whereupon the Chinese had mounted ten
cannon. including four old krupps. "A
mountain battery bombarded the place for
an hour and the position was then taken
at the joint of the bayonet. Three hours
further fighting occurred before the enemy
were driven out of the valley. The Chinese
loss IS estimated at 200 and the Germans
lost one killed and four wounded. Inc
Germans after destroying all the dwell
ings, retired to ian-king.
Count WaIdersee's Position.
Count Won Waldersee says that China's
request, through her representatives at for
eign courts that the expeditions should
cease cannot be complied with az present.
No expeditions, he asserts, are sent out
without adequate cause. Where there are
scenes of bloodshed disorder troops are
sent to interfere, this being the only means
of preventing outrage. He declares that the
expeditions are not intended Tor punitive
purposes. but merely for police purposes,
with a view of giving the necessary protec-
ton 10 life and property.
Those close to Prince Ching and Ii Hung
Chang say they have decided TO sign, even
II they lose their heads, without regard to
the latest orders Of the court.
Others, who are apparently equally close,
say they will not sign Immediately, assert
ing also that there are two factions sur
rounding the court, equally strong, and that
it would be impolitic for the Chinese pen-
potentiaries at present 10 act for them
selves.
Draft of Commercial Treaty.
A dispatch from Shanghai says:
Sir Ernest Mason Satow, British minister
TO China, has proposed to the other foreign
ENJOYS the draft Of a commercial treaty
with China, based upon the following con-
ditons:
First. Freedom for all coasting vessels.
Second. Freedom for all vessels on inland
waters especially the Yang Use Kians.
Third. Permission TO import foreign salt.
Fourth. Adoption of regulations encour-
aging Chinese investments in foreign con-
Germs
Fifth. Steps extending China's exports
and imports.
Siyfb on nf RAJ
Seventh. Protection of treaty ports.
The draft has not been accepted by the
powers, and discussion regarding it has
been postponed.
Bigoted court officials, it IS reported, stll
raise objections To signing acceptance of
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