Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.
(Mr. Conger acknowledges receipt, on November 1, of Department’s telegram of October 29, and reports that formal acknowledgment of the criminal responsibility of the eleven persons named has been made by the Chinese Government. His colleagues unanimously agree that their case would be greatly weakened and the negotiations would be jeopardized should the Chinese Government be asked the punishment it proposed to inflict. The leading foreign ministers have so far, in addition to the punishment of the leaders, unanimously agreed to the following:
- First. The prohibition, at the discretion of the powers, of the importation of arms.
- Second. The suppression for two years of civil and military examinations in criminal districts and the decreeing of death punishment for future members of Boxer organization.
- Third. Indemnities for governments, societies, individual foreigner and Chinese employed by foreigners.
- Fourth. Legations shall have the right to put legation quarters in a state of defense and to establish permanent guards, and to occupy certain points to assure free communication between the capital and the sea.
- Fifth. The destruction of Taku and other forts which might interfere with such communication.
- Sixth. The substitution for the Tsungli Yamen of minister for foreign affairs.
- Seventh. Court ceremonials similar to those in European countries.
Other questions are still under discussion. When ministers shall have agreed they intend to meet the Chinese plenipotentiaries and present the conditions as a whole.
Asks if Department approves.)