Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-09
No Further News of Missionary
Massacres in China.
STATE DEPARTMENTS POSITION
Relying on the Discretion Of Ou'
Minister and Admiral
THE POWERS MAY ACT

No official advices have reached the State
Department concerning the reported de-
structicn of American mission property at
Inghok, China. 1t is believed that the place
referred to is identical with Suihing, where
troubles were reported two days ago. and
that this second dispatch really relates to
the same incident Acting Secretary Adee
yesterday received a telegram from Nash
vile sign, Jointly by the Southern Metho-
dist and Presbyterian Missionary Society
officials confirming the report of the out
rageous character of the Ku Cheng mas
sacre and urging the State Department
to protect the American missions in China.
Mr.. Adee responded by telegraph that
United States Minister DENLY had already
taken the mCst vigorous measures to secure
the safety of Americans, and that renewed
instructions to that end had already been
cabled to the minister.
Faith in Minister Denby,
1t is not doubted that Mr.. Denby is doing
everything possible in these disturbed con-
ditions to care for the missionaries; but
there are some things beyond his power to
accomplish at this time. He has for many
months personally and through the Ameri-
can consuls in China urged the mission
aries to come down from the dangerous
interior posts to the treaty ports, represent
ing to them that no matter how well in
clined he might be to do SO, he could not
dispatch ships overland or up shallow
streams to protect them. Admiral Car
penter is also willing to do everything
proper toward cooperating with the min
lister, and if he believes 1t to be prudent
to send some of his sailors and marines
overland through a hostile country, he is
fully authorized by his instructions from
the Navy Department to do so.
Broad Discretionary Powers.
The propriety OF such a movement or
of even going to the length Of making re-
prisals upon China for the destruction of
American property are matters entirely
within the discretion of these two Off
cers-the minister and tho admiral, and
every confidence is felt here in the sound
ness of their judgment In view Of the
fact that no harm has come to the ,'erson
or property of any American citizen in
the treaty ports, or even at any non-treaty
port within reach of our warships, 1t is
regretted here that all of the missionaries
have not needed Mr.. Deaby's appeal to
repair temporarily to the coast.
The State Department fully expects to Sc
cure full and ample reparation and in
demnity for all injuries sustained by
Americans. and indeed. Minister DENLY
has already made a most vigorous demand
upon the Chinese government to that ef-
feet, but it is realized that the conditions
in China now such, with an ignorant
population holding all foreigners without
discrimination responsible for the Japanese
conquest as to make it wellnigh impossible
to police the whole of the vast interior
country with American forces. 1t is prob
able that if these conditions are not speed
lily modified, so that foreigners may freely
enjoy the rights of residence conferred by
treaty, the great powers will feel obliged
to take joint action in the matter, but so
far no proposition of that kind has been
made to the United States.