The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-01-04
CONGER AMP OTHERS HAVE
SIGNED
Prince Ching Receives the Joint Note
OF the Powers and Promises a Speedy
Reply.

PEKING, December 24-The prelim-
mary joint note was delivered today
to the Chinese. Ii Hung Chang found
that he was unable to attend the meet
ing of the Ministers and his credentials
and those of Prince Ching were pre-
scented by the latter to the foreign en-
Voys.
Prince Ching, replying to the Spanish
Minister, Senior b. j. de Cologan, who
presented the note, said he would inn
mediately communicate its contents to
the Emperor and assured the Ministers
that a speedy reply was the desire of
the court, as 1t felt that all China wants
peace and prosperity.
WASHINGTON, December 24-Sec-
rotary Hay has received a Cablegram
from Minister Conger at Picking, an
nOunCing that he had signed the agree
ment reached by the foreign Ministers,
but had done so W III a written eXplana-
tory statement setting forth the exact
position of his Government The text
of the statement is not forwarded by
COnger but it is understood to be based
upon the last instruction ms he received
from the state Department, which,
while disappearing the inclusion in the
agreement of some Of the more severe
language. accepted it as the best ar
angement that could be made at this
time. 1t is believed that the United
States also, while sanctiOning the pro-
visions % the agreement relative 10 the
maintenance of permanent lines of
communication, legation guards and
prohibition of the importation of arms
into China, indicates clearly that con-
stitutional reasons prevent the execu-
tive from making any pledge to take
part in the execution of these plans.
The signature of the agreement by
the Ministers closes what is regarded
here as the first, the most important
and the most difficult phase of the nego-
tiations as to China, for it is not doubt
ed that the Chinese ENJOYS will sub
scribe to the agreement without amend
ment
ST PETERSBURG, December pa
The Novoe Vremya sharply criticises
the joint note of the powers to China ats
being too long to produce effect. 1t says
the accusations against the Emperor
and DoWager Empress are unfOunded
and that the accusation that Prince
Tuan is alone responsible for the
treachery is ridiculous. ,Hhe pa per
adds: Rulers sometimes betray their
own country, but treason toward for
eign powers is a new conception. The
statement in the ultimatum that the
troops viii not be Withdrawn before the
conditions are accepted cannot mean
Russia, whose troops have already va
Gated Pechih, whereas Manchurian af-
rairs do not concern the powers. The
note will not bring peace. The powers
possibly repent not having initiated
Russia example"
\ special to the Novoe Vremya from
Nladivostok says the exploitation of
the principal Manchurian railroad line
and the construction of branch lines to
Port Arthur will be turned over to the
government. Russia has always care
fully insisted that the Manchurian rail-
way enterprise was purely the affair OF
a Russian private corporation. The
news, if true, is of great Importance po-
although the dispatch asserts
that neither the railroad nor Russia
would gain much by the move. How
ever this may be, a high official autho-
denied the whole story today
when the matter was preached to him