The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-11-16
THE Chinese QUESTION.
It Will be Brought Before Con-
gress at the Next Session.
OUR GOVERNMENTS INTERFERENCE

Congressman Storer, Of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs. VIII Introduce Reso-
luton Of Inquiry as to MT. Gresham's
Action in Suggesting Mediation.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10. - The Chinese
minister, accompanied by two of his suite,
called on Secretary Gresham yesterday. In
view of the tendency of negotiations for
United States mediation between China
and Japan, the call occasioned much com
ment, although the officials and diplo-
mats said 1t was without significance.
Ambassador Patenotre, of France, met
the minister in the diplomatic room and
had long and somewhat animated talk
with him.
There is a growing belief that while
Japan has not declined to accept the sug
gestion of this government to mediate, 1t
has let the fact be known that Japan has
not yet received any direct proposition
from China, nor has the latter country of
fered any definite indemnity. This, in eff
feet, is negative answer unless China
makes her offer as specific as Japan ex.
poets.
Representative Bethany Storer, of the
committee on foreign affairs of the house
of representatives, intends presenting to
congress when it reassembles resolution
of inquiry as to the action Of Secretary
Gresham in suggesting to China and
Japan that this country will act as media
tor in the settlement of the present war.
Mr.. Storer is now making a careful ex-
animation of the subject, with a view to
taking the initiative. The resolutions
when drawn will request the secretary of
state to transmit to congress all core
spondence on the subject not incompati-
BILE with the public service. They will also
ask for information as to what departure,
If any, from the traditional policy of the
government as embodied In the Monroe
doctrine is contemplated by the executive
branch in becoming factor In Asiatic en-
tanglements.
Mr.. Storer says he has no desire to en-
barrass the executive branch In any for
eign policy they wish to pursue, but as a
member of the committee on foreign af-
fairs he says such foreign policy as is
now contemplated should properly have
the attention and Judgment of congress.
In examining the treaty of 1858 between
China and the United States, under which
this government has suggested it's willing
ness to mediate, Mr.. Storer says the Ian
guage does not contemplate mediation by
the president or executive branch alone.
1t recites in substance that the United
States will exercise their good offices in
case any nation acts unjustly or Cypress
lively against China.
This, Mr.. Storer points out, suggests the
good offices Of the United States, but not
of the president, SO that it would be
proper, and perhaps essential, that the
congressional branch Of the government
should act in case such good offices are to
be exercised.
"From the casual of the treaty." Mr..
Storer added, 'the clause would hardly
seem to warrant n proposition of media
ton, unless, as the treaty states, China is
being treated 'unjustly or oppressively,'
and 1 do not suppose this government
would PREJUDICE the trouble between China
and Japan by saying the latter was acting
unjustly or oppressively."
Mr.. Storer says that any action he takes
will be on conservative lines, as he desires
to make his inquiry for information rather
than criticism until the facts are pre-
sented.