The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-07-28
SEEKS MEDIATION.
China said TO Have Asked the Presi-
dent tn Help Her Out of Her
Trouble.

Washington. July 23.-President Nc
Kinley has received what purports to
be direct appeal from the Chinese
| imperial government to use his good
| offices To extricate that government
| from the dangerous and difficult posi-
tion in which il has been placed as a
result of the Boxer uprising and the
ensuing hostile attitude of the great
powers. Although the exact text of the
appeal made by the emperor of China
10 France has not been made known
here, it is believed that the address
to the president is similar in terms
to that communication. In our case
the communication was made through
Minister WI to the state department.
Thus far final answer has not been
returned. The French government an
swered at once, but that answer will
not serve us. The United States gov
ernment is conscientiously proceeding
upon an entirely different line of pol
icy in the treatment of the case. Tn
fortunately the state department finds
itself alone in this. but nevertheless it
is convinced that its plan is the best,
and it has behind ii the consoling as
surance that at present all of the Eu-
ropean governments have tacitly adj
mitted that an error was made in the
beginning in not following the COM
nonsense advice of the United States
naval commander at Taku.
The point of difference between the
state department and the European
governments is that the latter are pro-
ceeding upon the belief that all of the
foreign ministers and missionaries and
guards at Picking have been killed and
insist upon dealing with the Chinese
government upon that basis, thereby
assuming o hostile attitude that tends
to destroy the last chance of availing
of whatever friendly sentiment may
vet exist among the powerful Chinese
viceroys and the imperial government
itself. Thus the French reply sets an
impossible task for the imperial gov
eminent in its present straits, and
tends to drive il at once to make terms
with the Boxers and Prince Tuan's
party.
On the other hand, our government,
while not guaranteeing the truth of
the adyices from the Chinese govern
ment as TO the safety of the foreign
ministers, is willing to accept the state
ments temporarily. in the meantime re-
hitting none of its efforts to get ac-
cess TO Minister Conger, through the
use of military force if need be. BY
following out this policy. the state de-
partment argues that it retains two
chances instead of one. II may reach
Mr.. Conger with troops and ii also may
secure his deliyerance through the
friendly Offices of some of the Chinese
officials, which the powers are not like
~ to obtain for their own people by
following out their present policy 1t
MAY be stated also that the United
States government has not and does
not intend to relinquish any part of
it's claim for compensation and repara-
ton in the ultimate settlement. Its
position in that respect. il holds, will
not be affected unfavorably by prose-
cutting its efforts TO make use of the
friendly sentiments of the Chinese Off
cials.
The administration is determined TO
keep aloof from any movement that
would unnecessarily entangle the gov
eminent of the United States in Chi
nese affairs. II of course must Join
heartily with the other powers in the
effort 10 get to Picking. but it does not
follow from that cooperation that it
will be led into taking part in any
chickering's or dissensions that ensue
over the future of China after our peo-
pie have been taken care of. II is the
intention of the administration to
withdraw our forces. military and
naval. after the Americans in Picking
have been relieved and wash its hands
of Chinese affairs. looking Only to the
preservation of such privileges as it
has right 20 retain for Americans.
Five hundred United States marines
started from this city Sunday direct
for China. They were placed on a spe-
cial train bound for San Francisco.
where they will cross the Pacific on an
army transport This is the largest
body of marines that has yet been dis
patched to the east, and the departure
was made conspicuous by the presence
of Gen. Haywood, the commandant of
marines, and the full marine band.
Maj. Dickens commands the detach-
men..