The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-07-25
PRESIDENT WILLING
TO TRY MEDIATION.
Upon Conditions That Must
be met by China,

Washington. July % The presi
dent has listened to the appeal Of the
Chinese government as transmitted
through Minister WI and has
signified bis willingness to medi.
ate between the imperial gov.
ernmens and the powers, but only
upon the conditions which fret must
be met by the Chinese government.
The exact nature Of the terms pro.
posed by the state department cannot
be stated until tomorrow, when pub.
lication will be made of the Chinese
appeal and tho presidents snswer.
II is known, however, that the an.
ever is entirely oons,stent with the
statement Of principles laid down BY
Secretary Hay in bis identical note
to the powers and moreover IL &C.
oepts 90 truthful the Chinese state.
ments relative to tho safety OF the
foreign ministers at Pekin.
It would not, of course, be posi-.
bic to take even the initial steps to.
ward mediation were either party to
the negotiations TO entertain openly
distrust Of the accuracy of the state
ments of the other. There must be
confidence between them.
The United States answer does
not 60 to the length of the French
answer to . similar appeal 10 laying
down conditions which the Chinese
government could not meet, even if
90 disposed, if it actually is strug.
Cling for ito own existence. It does.
however, look to the immediate re.
lief Of the foreign ministers in Pekin.
and moreover to the protection of ell
foreigners, missionaries and traders
in China. aud to the restoration Of
order. With that much accomplish
cd the state department feels that it
can properly approach the powers
with the Chinese propositions for .
settlement for wbas has occurred.
The Chinese sppesl came to Secre.
tary Bay yesterday through Mr.. WI
The secretary promptly telegraphed
It te tho president ct Canton aud after
taking q full day for ito considers.
tion, the presidents answer came
this afternoon to the state depart.
ment 1t was put in proper diplo.
mstic form and q copy delivered to
Minister WI, who 10 to forward it to
bic own government
The imperial ediot made pub
lie today ct the state department
shows that the imperial government
already has taken tho fret steps
toward doing what tho United States
government requires as tho principal
condition for the exercise of its good
ofices. in enjoining the viceroys,
magistrates and leading men to stop
the disorders end protect foreigners.
Our government will await the result
Of this before proceeding further
EUROPE STILL INCREDULOUS
1t is expected that adverse criti
cism upon the action of the state
department in this matter will be
heard from Europe where the govern.
ments are acting upon the belief that
oil OF the foreign ministers in Pekin
have perisbed, but our government
nevertheless regards it's course ss the
correct one. All Of the European
governments have taken the stand
above indicated The last of the
answers to Secretary Hays note
reciting the Copger message have
come and oil Of them. in terms polite
and diplomatic. express utter incred
ulity of the authenticity of the Con.
ger message Consul General Good
now himself. . man OF good judg
ment, also cabled . warning TO Sec
retary hay against the acceptance of
the message without confirmation
But the state department has fully
considered the message in oil of its
aspects. has carefully weighed the
numerous objections and suspicious
put forth 10 Europe and here, and
without guaranteeing the authenti
city Of the message. feels it to be q
matter Of primo duty to act upon the
theory that it is genuine
MOVEMENTS OF OUR FORCES
Admiral Remey's notification (of
date the 22d inst to the navy depart.
ment. that he bad gone in person up
the Pei Ho from Taku to Tien Tsin,
is attributed to the receipt by him of
Secretary Longs urgent message
to hasten the efforts to get to Pekin,
and important news from him is ex.
pectsd soon.
The war department, il appears.
underestimated the time that would
be required for the Grant to arrive at
Nagaeski. She sailed on the Let inst, ,
m that ohn u Dnk unH ~..:ao H.