The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-24
Action of the United states Likely
10 BE Criticised ny the Cove
crnments OF Europe.
MESSAGE FROM Mr.. G00DN0W
REPEATING CHINESE STATEMENT
THAT MIR. CoNGER is WELL.
TeIegraphic Error i'm the Name That
destroys the value of the News
Text of Latest Imperial Edict.

WASHINGTON. July 2s-The President
has listened to the appeal OF the Chinese
government as transmitted through Min
lister Wu, and has signified his willingness
to mediate between the imperial govern
ment and the powers. but only on
conditions which first must be met
by the Chinese government. The ex-
act nature of the terms proposed by
the State Department cannot be stated
until tomorrow, when publication will be
made of the text of the Chinese appeal and
of the Presidents message. IL is known.
however, that the answer is entirely con-
sistent with the statement OF principles
laid down by Secretary Hay in his identical
note to the powers. and. moreover, IL ac-
cepts as truthful the Chinese statement
relative to the safety of the foreign min
listers at Peking.
IL would not. of course. be possible to
take even the initial steps toward media
ton were either party TO the negotiations
10 entertain openly any distrust of the ac-
curacy of the statements of the other
There must be confidence between them.
The answer of the United States does not
go to the length of the French answer 10
a similar appeal in laying down conditions
which the Chinese government could not
meet even if so disposed. il 1T is actually
struggling for existence. II does. however.
look TO the immediate relief of the foreign
ers in Picking. and, moreover. TO the pro-
lection of all foreigners, missionaries and
traders in China, and to the restoration or
order. The Chinese appeal came TO Sec
retary Hay yesterday through Minister
Wu. The secretary promptly telegraphed
it to the President at Canton, and after
taking a full day for its consideration the
Presidents answer came this afternoon TO
the State Department. 1t was put in the
proper diplomatic form and copy deliv-
cred TO Minister Wu, who is TO forward it
TO his own government. Appeal and answer
will be made public here tomorrow.
FIRST STEP TAKEN.
The imperial edict made public to-day at
the State Department shows that the Inn
perial government already has taken the
first steps toward doing what the United
States government requires as the prin-
cipal condition of its exercise Of its good
offices in enjoining the viceroys. magis-
trates and leading men to stop the disor-
ders and protect foreigners Our govern
ment will await the result OF this before
proceeding further.
1t is expected that adverse criticism on
the action OF the State Department in this
matter will be heard from Europe. where
the governments are acting on the belief
that all of the foreign ministers in Peking
have perished, but our government. never
theless regards its course the correct
one. All OF the European governments
have taken the stand before indicated. The
last of the answers to Secretary Hays note
reciting the Conger message have come.
and all OF them, in terms polite and diplo-
matte, express utter incredulity in the au-
thenticity OF the Conger message. Consul
General Goodnow. himself man OF good
Judgment, also cabled warning 10 Sec
retary Hay against the acceptance OF the
message without confirmation But the
State Department has fully considered the
message in all OF its aspects. has care
fully weighed the numerous objections and
suspicious put forth her and in Europe.
and. without guaranteeing the authenticity
OF the message. feels IL 10 be matter OF
prime duty to act on the theory that II IL
genuine.
The Goodnow cablegram reclting the mes
sage from Prince Tuan vouching for the
safety OF the foreign ministers on July ls
caused a ripple OF excitement for a time at
the State Department. but the officials soon
concluded from the context and other CIR
cumstances surrounding the message that
Yuan was meant instead OF Tuan. so that
the message lost the value IL would have
had II II had come from the redoubtabls
Boxer leader.
Both the State Department and the Chi
nese oficials took occasion early In the
day to deny . report that plans were o.