Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1900 — QUIBBLE OVER CHINA [ARTICLE]

QUIBBLE OVER CHINA

PETTY JEALOUSY KEEPS THE ALLIES APART. European Powers Are Seriously Delaying tbc Negotiations at Pekin by “Splitting Hulra” iu ' Effort* totecure Slight Advantages, A Washington correspondent says: The delay in China is due to the jealousy of the European powers‘and their anxiety to get some little advantage of each other. This may prolong the negotiations indefinitely. There is no difference of opinion on the general propositions, but the ministers are quibbling over unimportant details. The fact that each minister is acting under direct instructions from his home government, with which he communicates daily, makes haste impossible. The representatives of eight or ten nations meet for a conference, at which suggestions aud propositions are offered by one or all. These are discussed until something like an agreement is reached. Then an adjournment is taken until each can report to his government aud receive instructions. The cable service is so Imperfect and slow that it usually requires several days to send a message at;f receive a reply. In the meantime the government at St. Petersburg telegraphs to Paris or tin- German chancellor telegraphs Lord Salisbury. dr they all telegraph the United States to find out wlmt .is thought about it and what other nations propose to do. Then one after another tfie ministers at Pekin are advised as to the proper course for them to pursue, and they take another step forward. The government of the United States is the only one <>T the nations involved in this controversy which has a distinct and definite policy. We demand: 1. That the leaders of the Boxer movement and the mandarins who encouraged the attacks upon the legations shall receive adequate punishment at the hands of their government. 2. That the Chinese empire pay a proper indemnity for the losses sustained by American citizens and the.cost of the expedition to China. 3. That a. stable and liberal government be established at Pekin, with an enlightened policy, in accordance with modern civilization. 4. That the entire empire of China be opened to foreigners like other nations, with freedom of speech, trade*, religion and the full protection of foreign lives and property. All the. other nations agree to these propositions, but they are disputing over the different methods of carrying them into effect.