Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-04

= Happily the acute disturbances wcrc
confined to the northern provinces II i
a.relef to recall and Il pleasure IN record
the loyal conduct of the vicerovs and h.
cal authorities Of the southern and eos,-
ern provinces Their efforts were coptin.
uously directed to the pacific control of Tho
vast populations under their ruIe ana +,
the scrupulous observance OF forci.n
treaty rights. At critical moments they
did not hesitate TO memoriaIize thu,
Throne. urging the protection of the lc-
cations. the restoration nf communica
ton. and the assertion of the Inpcria,
authority against the subversiye c,c
mrntS. They maintained excellent rcla-
lions with the official representatives Of
foreign powers. To their kindly DISPOSE
ton is largely due the success of the CON
suls i'll removing many of the missiona-
ries from the interiorgto places of safety.
In this relation the action of the consuls
should be- highly commended. In Shan
tung and eastern Chill the task was diff
fcuIt hut. thanks TO. their energy and
the cooperation of American and foreign
naval commanders, hundreds of foreign
ers. inclNlug those of other nationaiitics
than ours. We're rescued from imminent
Peril.
The policy OF the United States through
all this trying period was clearly an
nonnccI and scrupnlously carried ont.
\ circular note to the powers dated July
Sd proclaimed our attitude Treating the
condition in the north as one of virtual
anarchy. in which the great provinces Of
tho soutl, and southeast had no share.
we regarded the local authorities in the
latter quarters as representing the Chi
ncsc people with whom we sought TO re-
main in peace and friendship. Our de-
clarcd aims involved no war against the
Chinese nation. We adherc, to the L.
Ultimate office of rescuing the Imperfect
legation. obtaining redress for wrongs al
ready suffered, securing wherever posi-
hle the safety OF AMERICAN life and prop
crty in China, and preventing spread of
the disorders or their recurrence.
AZ was then said. "The policy OF the
Government Of the United States is to
seek n solution which may bring about
permanent safety aud peace to China.
preserve Chinese territorial and admins
trativc entity. protect all rights guaran-
teed to friendly poweys by treaty and in
tcrnationai law. and safeguard for the
world the principle of equal aud impartial
trade with ali parts of the Chinese En-
pre."
Faithful TO those professions which, rs
il proved. reflected the views and pur-
poses of the other cooperating govern
mcnts. ali our efforts have been directed
toward ending the anomalous situation in
China by negotiations for a settlement 1T
the earliest possible moment. As sooE
q no .I,,tr
tion and its dependents was accomplished
we Withdrew from active hostilties. leav-
in= our legation under an adequate
guard in Picking as aichannel of ncgotia-
tions and settlement a course adopted
by others of the interested powers. Over
lures Of the empowered representatives
OF the Chinese Emperor have been con
sidcrably entertained
The Russian proposition looking to the
restoration Of the Imperial power in Pc
king has been accepted AZ in full conso-
nance with our own desires, for We have
held and hold that effective rcparation
for wrongs suffered and an enduring set
tlcment that will make their recurrence
Impossible can best he brought abont un-
der an authority which the Chinese na-
ton revcrcnces and obcys. While 50 do
III wv IbitS' no I't w pui hbtcubi'b
right 20 exact exemplary and deterrent
punishment of the responsible authors
and abettors OF the criminal acts where
by We and other nations have suffered
gri.rous injury.
For the real culprits. the evil counsclorS
who have mislcd the Imperial judgment
and diverted the sovereign authority to
their own guilty ends. full cXpiation be-
comes imperative within the rational linn
its of rrtributive justice. Regarding this
aS the initial condition OF an acceptable
settlement between China and the powers.
| said in my message Of October 18th IL
the Chinese Emperor:
Il trust that negotiations may begin 50
soon rs we and the other offended govern
ments shall be ctfcctivclt satisfied OF
Your Maicsty'> ability and power to treat
with Just Sternness the principal offend
ers. who are doubly culpab!c. not alon"
toward the foreigners. but toward Your
Majesty, under whose rule the purpose of
China to dwell in concord with the world
had hitherto found expression in the vel
come and protection assured to Stran
gers"
Taking rs Il point of departure. the
Imperial edict appointing Earl Iii Hung
Chang and Prince Ching plenipotcntiaricS
10 arrange a settlement. and the cdict o( /
September 10Th. whereby certain high Of |
ficialS were designated for punishment.
this Government has moved. in concert
with the other powers. toward the open
ing of negotiations. which Mr.. Conger.
assisted by Mr.. Rockhill, has been au-
thorizcd to conduct on behalf Of the Unit ,
cd States.
General bases Of negotiation formulat-
cd hy the Government of the French Re
public have been accepted with certain
reservations as tn details. made ncccS-
sary by our own circumstances. but. like
similar reservations by other powers,
open 10 discussion in the progress of the
negotiations. The disposition OF the En-
pcror'S Government to admit liability for
wrongs done to foreign governments and
their nationals. and to act upon such adj
tlitional designation of the guilty persons
as the foreign ministers at Pckiug may
be in a position to make. gives hope of IA
complete settlement Of all questions in
volve1. assuring foreign rights of resi-
dcnce and intercourse on terms of equal
iiy for all the world.
regard rs one of the essential factors
of Il durable adjustment the sccurcmcnt