opportunity to exhibit her justice and intentions, and that the subject could be included in the negotiations if afterwards found necessary. It may be remarked, in this connection, that the United States took no part in the punitive expeditions by the forces of some of the European powers conducted soon after the capture of Peking.
Fourthly, one other important event was announced in the agreement of Great Britain and Germany, of October 16, (1) to preserve "the open door" in trade, and (2) to take no advantage of the existing conditions to acquire territory; but (3) reserving the right to take another course if any other power attempted to violate the first two policies. Secretary Hay, when requested to signify his acceptance of these principles, replied that his government, in the note of July 3, had already announced the adoption of the first two, and that as the third related to a reciprocal arrangement between the two contracting parties, the United States did not regard itself as called upon to express an opinion upon it.
Before the first formal meeting was held, France submitted as a basis of negotiations six propositions, which were substantially agreed upon by the powers, and briefly stated were as follows: Punishment of the principal guilty parties; prohibition of the importation of firearms; indemnity for losses; permanent legation guards; dismantling of the Taku forts; and establishment of foreign military posts between Peking and the sea.
These declarations and papers had made the task of
