The Washington weekly post., 1900-11-27
All Honor to the AdmjnIstratio,

II the governments new attitude with ref
erence 10 the characterization be correctly
described-and as il comes 10 us through
the medium of the New York Sun we as
sumo that 1t is-the country will hare
fresh reason to applaud Mr.. McKinley's
wisdom, courage, and enlightened states
manship. The announcement presents it.
self in the guise of hope that this coun-
try, at least, deplores the cruel and wicked
behavior of some of the powers; their
nurderous treatment of the non-combat-
ant Chinese; their unconcealed purpose of
butchery and spoliation; their monstrous
demands for the impossible, and their
menace of still further atrocities unless
| those demands be quickly realized The
American people will thank and honor Mr..
Mckinley If 1t should turn out that his
plans and wishes have been accurately re-
| fiected in the publication just referred TO-
| The affection and esteem of the nation
will go out 10 him in fuller measure than
ever before. If this thing be true.
We quote from the Suns Washington
| dispatch:
| The President through the Secretary Of State,
| has epdeavored TO make plain to Minister Conger
that the negotatOrs must put aside personal feel
ngs of animosity and agree on such terms as would
be within the ability of the Chinese authorities to
carry out But the Ministers apparently have
| heen bent on the adoption Of radical programme
OF reDrisals to be presented to the Chinese Con-
ditions which this government contends are impos-
sible Of fulhlment by the Chirase have been tenta
lively agreed 10, while other radical IDEAS advanced
have caused dsputatlons that sispel hope Of ulti-
mate concurrence Of views.
1T may be said without violation Of confidence
for 1t has become open secret in certain circles
that the is not satisfied with the under
stood attitude Of MiEister Conger Not that he has
failed 10 follow the instructions OF the State De-
partment. but there is reason to believe that he
has not appreciated their spirit II is realized
here that Mr.. Coneer is naturally desirous Of in
hieting the most severe punishment on those Chi
nese princes, ofneers Of high rank. who wantonly
| caused the murder o. foreigners, outraged women.
and tortured children, and who aided and abettea
the attack on the legations at Pekn. causing terri
bic mental and physical suffering to members OF
Mr.. cOnger's own family. a host Of other Ameri-
cans. and many other foreign men. women, and
children"
1t Is easy 10 sympathize in Mr.. Coneer' 5
personal aspirations of vengeance. II is
quite imaginable that Others. espeeiallv
the missionaries who were subjected 10
the iadescribable terrors and who directly
or indirectly suffered from the savagery
Of the infuriated Chinese-lt is credible.
VIC say. that such persons should harber
the worst foIm OF avarice for bloody re-
prisal and revenge. But whether our ma
t!onal honor in this acute emergency
| should be cOnfided TO men animated by
private hatreds, prejudices, and rancors
is a very different matter. The issue has
outgrown the original circumstances. II
now Involves nations. not individuals. II
touches the equation OF all Christendom
And the government speaks wisely and
/ In the interest OF Christian civilization
] when IL suggests that the solution of thls
appalling problem should be referred "a
a tribunal composed OF impartial, wise
and broad-minded men. Tie frightful
nuddle has not been clarified by the inauI
s.ti0n Of the powers as now represented al
Pehn. on the contrary. il has taken on
new aspects OF gravity and peril The
concert Is further from a settlement TO-
day than II was at the beginning. Jeal.
0Usies, riYalries. separate schemes OF ven
geance and devastation. conflicting plans
oi piracy and aggrandizement-ihese have