Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1901-01-11
DISLIKE JOINT NOTE.
Southern Viceroys Urge Plenipoten-
tiaries Not to Sign.
CHING LIKELY TO AFFIX SIGNATURE.
Transfer of Negotiations Proposed by
the United States Meet England's
Approval-Empress Said to
Oppose Demands.

Picking, Jan. THE protest of the
viceroy of Yangtse to the signing of the
joint note has created little surprise
here; but the fact that the other south
ern viceroys also have protested, caus-
ing the court to instruct the plenipo-
t%entiaries not to sign the note, has Gre
ated a great sensation in Picking. The
agreement has not yet been presented
for signature. The ministers believe,
however, that Prince Ching is too ire
vocably bound verbally, and think he
will sign tomorrow.
The Objections.
The objections of the southern vice
roys are practically the same as those
which the court originally ~telegraphed
to Prince Ching and concerning which:
N the representations of Prince Ching
and Ii Hung Chang, the court eventu-
ally agreed to endeavor to make better
terms after the signing of the note.
The court was 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 Not to Return.
Chang-Chi-Tung has strongly urged
the court not to return to Picking,
but to establish a capital in the
Yangtse valley. He says this will
strengthen the south toward the Chi
nese cause, and that the signing of
the agreement as it exists at pres
ent would be a 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 Still Invisible.
LII Hung Chang is invisible to the
public. His attendants claim that he
is suffering from a serious relapse,
though many persons think his re-
lapse is made a convenience so the
signing of the note can be delayed I'M
til the court can be heard from again.
Empress Is Defiant.
Washington, Jan. 9.-Minister Con-
ger cables the state department that
there is ground for the belief that the
empress dowager is opposing the ac-
ceptance by China of the demands of
the powers.
United States Makes Suggestion.
: Washington, Jan. 9.-The United
States has proposed that the question
of indemnity and of framing new COM
mercial treaties with China shall be
considered by an international COM
mission either at Washington or at the
capital of one of the other powers con-
cerned, thus removing these two
phases of the negotiations from Pc
king.
Approve Hays Policy.
London, Jan. 9.-Great Britain will
place its seal of approval on American
diplomacy in China. 1t is understood
that Lord Lansdowne has formally
notified Ambassador Choate that Sec
rotary Hays latest proposal to trans
fer a part of the settlement negotia-
tions from Peking is thoroughly ac-
ceptable to her majesty's government.
Protocols Handed Enjoys.
London, Jan. DIR. Morrison, wir-
ing to the Times from Picking, Janu-
airy 8, says:
Yesterday II identical protocols,
representing each of the powers, were
handed to the Chinese ENJOYS for sigma
ture and for the afixing of the imperial
seal. AS the formality of communicating
with the court is a necessary preliminary
to using the seal, a delay of a few days
Is expected; but there is no reason to fear
that the Chinese will fail to complete the
acceptance of the note"
PANAMA THREATENED.