Macdonald sent a telegram to Lord Salisbury, which is rather interesting. He said: "I revolved a visit from Li Hung-chang yesterday. He stated to me that it was impossible for the Empress Dowager to inflict severe punishment on thelinisters who were guilty, owing to their rank, or because they were in command of troops. Personally hehad, by denouncing them, incurred risk; he hoped that the commencement of negotiations would not be put off to await the German Minister."
On the 4th of October the French Government submitted the following memorandum to the Powers The Powers, in sending their forces to proposed first of all to rescue their Legations. Thanks to their united action, and to the courage of their troops, this object was attained. The question now at ise is to obtain from the Chinese Govern-
Prince Ching proper reparation for the past, guar antees for the future. The Government of the Republic, y the spirit which prompted former declarations of the differ. ent Governments, submit the follo points, which summarise their views on subject, 2s bases of the negotiations to be entered diately" after the usu verification of powers:—1. Punishment of the principal culprits, to be designated by the Representati ithe Po Peking.
2. Maintenance of the prohi is port of arms.
Equitable indemnities for States, Soci jes, and individuals.
4. Establishment of a permanent Legation guard at Peking.
5, Dismantlement of the forts at Taku; military occupation of two or three points the road fom Tientsin to Taku, which would thus he always open in the event of the Legations wishing to reach the or for forces coming from the sea with the object of proceeding to the Capital.
"The Government of the Republic thi impossible that such legitimate condit presented collectively by the Representatives of the Powers, and stipported by the presence of the international troops, should fi to be speellly accepted by the Chinese Government. and on the 16th of October the same Government submitted the followin: memorandum All the Powers adhere to the principle of the French note. The points which have given rise to observations on the part of certain Cabinets could be discussed between the Powers, or between their Ministers at Peking, in the course of the negoti: tions, and could be modified in such manner might be considered necessary for the more speedy attainment of the common aim.
The Chinese Government having declared itself ready to treat, it is essential to-day to show them that the Powers are unanimous in spirit, and that, though resolute to respect the integrity of China and the independence of the Chinese Government, they are none the less determined to obtain the satisfaction to which they are entitled.
The presentation to the Chinese Plenipo-tentiones by the Ministers of the Powers at Peking, or by the doyen in their name, of the proposal as the basis of negotiations will doubtless influence happily the decisions of the Emperor of China and his Government.
This collective step will not prevent the examination of the points 6f the French proposal, concerning which certain of the Powers make reservations.
The modification proposed by Lord Salisbury was in reference to the proposition to construct forts on the road from Peking to Taku to be held by an international force. Lord Salisbury "thought it safer and more effective that each Power that wished should hold a fort of its own, which should be within reach of the sea as far as practicable."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.