Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-07-26
POSSIBLE MEDIATION
President Mckinley Answers
China's Appeal.
WILL ACCEPT UNDER CONDITIONS.
United States Still Proceeding on
the SuppOsitiOn That Recent Re-
ports of the Safety of Lega-
tons Are Accurate.

WASHINGTON, July 24.-The presi
dent has listened to the appeal of the
Chinese government as transmitted by
Minister WI and has signifed his will
ingness to mediate between the imperial
government and the powers, but only up
on conditions which first must be met
by the Chinese government.
The exact nature of the terms propos-
ed by the state department cannot be
stated now. 1t is expected that pub
lication will be made today of the text
Of the Chinese appeal and of the presi-
dents answer. 1t is known, however,
that the answer is entirely consistent
with the statement of principles laid
down by Secretary Hay in his note
to the powers, and moreover it ac-
cepts as truthful the Chinese statements
relative to the safety of the foreign
minister's at Picking.
1t would not of course be possible to
take even the initial steps toward media
tion were either party to the negotia-
tions to entertain openly distrust of the
accuracy Of the statements of the other.
There must be confidence between them.
The United States answer does not go
to the length of the French answer to a
similar appeal in laying down conditions
which the Chinese government could not
meet, even If so disposed, if it actually
is struggling for its own existence. 1t
does, however, look to the immediate re-
lief of the foreign ministers in Picking
and moreover to the protection of all
foreigners, missionaries and traders in
China and to the restoration of order.
With that much accomplished the state
department feels that it can properly ap-
proach the powers with the Chinese
propositions for Il settlement for what
has occurred. The Chinese appeal came
to Secretary Hay Sunday through Mr..
WI. The secretary promptly telegraph
ed it to the president at Canton. and aft
er taking a full day for its consideration
the presidents answer came yesterday
afternoon to the state department. 1t
was put in the proper diplomatic form
and copy delivered to Minister WI,
who was to forward it to his own gov
ernment. Appeal and answer will be
made public here today.
The imperial edict made public at the
state department shows that the i'm
perial government already has taken the
first steps toward doing what the Unit
ed States requires as the principal condi-
ton for the exercise of its good offices
in enjoining the viceroys, magistrates
and leading men to stop the disorders
and protect foreigners. Our government
will await the result of this before pro-
ceeding further.
1t is expected that adverse criticism
upon the action Of the state department
in this matter will be heard from Europe,
where the governments are acting upon
the belief that all of the foreign ministers
in Peking have perished but our govern
ment nevertheless regards it's course as
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 Conger
message have come, and all of them in
terms polite and diplomatic express ut
ter incredibility in the authenticity Of
the Conger message. Consul General
Goodnow himself, man of good judg-
ment, also cabled warning to Secretary
Hay against the acceptance of the mes
sage without confirmation. But the state
department has fully considered the mes
sage in all of its aspects, has carefully
weighed the numerous objections and
suspicious put forth here and in Europe
and, without guaranteeing the authentic-
ty Of the message, feels it to be matter
Of prime duty to act upon the theory that
it is genuine.