The Times of Friday publishes a telegram from its Pekin
correspondent, dated October 17th, stating that on Tuesday Prince Ching and Li Hung Chang made the following proposals to the Powers as a basis for peace negotiations :— (1) China regrets the recent occurrences, and promises that they shall never recur; (2) admits her liability to pay an indemnity ; (3) is willing to reaffirm or modify the old commer- cial treaties, or to make new ones ; (4) asks that the Tsung-li- Yamen may be permitted to resume its functions, and that the foreign troops may be withdrawn when the various items of the indemnity have been arranged; (5) hopes thatnegotiations having been begun, the foreign Powers will declare an armis- tice and cease military action. The covering despatch "again impudently ascribes the recent occurrences to the' Boxers,' and makes no mention of the concurrence of the Imperial troops, but it admits that the 'Boxers' received support from Princes and Ministers who have since, by Imperial decree, been ordered punishment in accordance with Chinese law. The tone of the despatch is characteristically arrogant, as if the position were that of China offering terms, not of Europe dictating them." The Chinese Envoys, adds the correspondent of the Times, declare that the decree, recently telegraphed to Europe, purporting to banish Prince Tuan and order the execution of others is a fabrication. It is, of course, impossible to pronounce a decided opinion on these proposals till we know more about them in detail. Much, too, depends upon the spirit and manner in which they are offered.'- It must be confessed, however, that they have the ring of insincerity about them, and look very much like a screen behind which
further and more deadly resistance is being steadily and silently prepared.
