The Van Buren press., 1900-07-28
Mr. R(CKH|LL' MISSION.
The Presidents Special Commits
sioner to Study Existing Con-
ditions in China.
He WILL SAIL ON The AMERICA-MARU.
The Task is One that May Involve
Personal Peril. But the tndcr-
taking is Regarded as Necessnry--
Germany and Great Britain Doing
Likewise.

Washington, July 25.-W. W. Rock.
hill. who has been selected as special
commissioner hy the president to go to
China, returned to Washington from
Block Island, and began Immediately
preparing for his long journey. He
has decided to take Mrs. Rcckhill with
him. and sail from San Francisco on
the America Maru Of the japanese
line. He will leave Mrs. Rockhill at
Yokohama or Nagasaki, while he goes
to Shanghai. At that point he will de-
tclonine in which direction to proceed.
A Difficult Task.
Mr.. Rockhill does rot underestimate
the task before him. He is &c act as
the eve and ears of the administration
in CT ina, to make careful inquiry into
the existing conditions, 10 learn the
exact causes OF the present uprising,
and report the facts directly TO the
president for bis guidance in the III
innate settlement and in framing his
policy for the future. This task will
involve large amount of travel in
China. Mr. Rockhill is of opinion that
it will not be sufficient to merely look
into conditions in Shan Tung province
and perhaps in Pekin-if he can OBJ
tain access to that capital.
Must visit Other Provinces.
He also must visit other provinces
and cities where there is disquiet and
danger to foreign interest and this
will be fraught with perhaps some per-
sonal risk. Iut it is regarded as a
necessary undertaking if the president
is to be put into possession of coln-
plchensive understanding of Chinese
conditions.
Mr.. RockhiITs Status.
II is expressly stated that Mr., Rock.
hill is going to China simply as an
observer for the president. This is
technically true, but it also may be
stated that he will be intrusted with
full diplomatic. powers, later on, if it
seems eypedient and in the interest Of
an early settlement of the Chinese
problem to have, directly on the field,
an authorized agent of the United
States government. 1t Is even proba-
BILE that he will be the next United
States minister to Pekin, If Mr. Con-
ger has persisted.
Germany Doing Likewise.
1t is gathered here that the German
government has done something of the
same kind, and although the assur-
anccs of the death of the German min
lister to Pckin. Baron Won Ketteler,
are as strong as to leave no doubt of
the fact of his death, yet it is under
stood that the credentials of Baron
Mumm Won Schwart2enburg, now on
his way to Tien Ism, are as yet only
those of diplomatic agent Of the
German government, making his posi-
ton thus correspond closely TO that OF
Mr., Rockhill.
britnih Iukes simtInr ActiOns
1t is also noted that the British GOV.
eminent has taken similar action in
dispatching TO China Sir Walter Hill
yer. He is well known TO Mr.. Rock
hill, having been u British consul at u
Chinese port during the presence Of
the American commissioner at Pekin
MS secretary Of the legation.
There is reason TO believe that the
other European powers having direct
interests in China will follow these en-.
amplcs and thus II may happen that
The international commission idea,
originally contemplated by the United
States as means of settlement of the
Chinese trouble may take form ac'
cept6ble TO all concerned