The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-24
M'KINLEY WILLING
WILL MEDIATE WITH POWERS IN
BEHALF OF CHINA.
CONDITIONS WILL BE NAMED.
nGT so STRINGENT AS THOSE MADE
BY FRANCE.


stin AIive-An the Foreign Pow
crs. However, stiH Oisbelieve the
Conger Message-Consul General
Goodnow Thinks 1t Is N Fake.
China's Edict
Washington, July 23.-The President has
listened to the appeal of the Chinese gov
eminent. as transmitted through Minister
wu and has signified his willingness 10
mediate between the imperial government
and the Powers, but only upon conditions
which must first be met by the Chinese
government.
The exact nature of the terms proposed
by the State Department cannot be stat
ed until tomorrow, when publication will
be made of the text of the Chinese ap-
peal ana the Presidents answer. 1t is
known, however, that the answer is en-
tirely conci1tent with the statement of
principles laid down by Secretary Hay in
his ider teal note to the Powers and,
moreover it accepts as truthful the Chi
nesc statements relative to the safety of
the foreigners at Pekin.
1t would not, of course, be possible 10
take even the initial steps toward media
ticn were either party to the negotiations
10 entertain openly distrust of the ac
cLracy Of the statements of the other.
There must be confidence between them.
MiIder Than French Answer.
The United States answer does not go
TO the length of the French answer to a
similar appeal in laying down conditions
meet. even If so disposed, if it actually
IS struggling for it's own existence. 1t
does. however, look to the immediate re-
lief of the foreign ministers in Pellin, and,
moreover, TO the protection of all for
rigners missionaries and traders in China,
and 10 the restoration of order. With that
much accomplished the State Depart
rnent feels that it can properly approach
the Powers on the Chinese propositions
for settlement for what has occurred.
The Chinese appeal came to Secretary
Hay yesterday through Mr.. WI. The
Secretary promptly telegraphed it to the
President at Canton, and after taking
fun day for its consideration, the Presi-
dents answer came this afternoon to the
State Department. 1t was put in the
proper diplomatic form and a copy deliv-
cred to Minister W. who is to forward 1t
TO his own government.
The imperial edict made public to-day at
the state department shows that the i'm
peral government already has taken the
FIRST steps toward doing what the United
States government requires as the princi-
pal condition on the exercise of its good
Offices. enjoining the viceroys, magistrates
and leading men to stop the disorders and
protect foreigners. Our government Will
await the result of this before proceeding
further
1t is expected that adverse criticism upon
the action of the state department IN TINS
matter will be heard from Europe wnere
the governments are acting upon the be-
lief that all of the foreign ministers IN
Pekn have perlshed. but our government
nevertheless, regards its course as the
correct one. All of the European govern
ments have taken the stand above indica-
ted.
Foreign Powers still Doubt.
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 utter in
credulity in the authenticity of the Con-
ger message. Consul General Goodnow
himself, a man of good judgment, also
Cabied warning to Secretary Hay
against the acceptance of the message
without confirmation. But the state de-
parment has fully considered the mes
sage in all of its aspects, has carefully
weighed the numerous objections ana
euspCions put forth in Europe and here,
and without guaranteeing the authentici-
~ of the message, feels ii to be mat
ter Of prime duty to act upon the theory
that it is genuine.
Admiral Remey's notification to the
navy department that he had gone in per-
son up the Pei Ho from. Taku to Tien
Tsn is attributed to the receipt by him
OF Secretary Longs urgent message TO
hasten the efforts to get to Pekin. and
important news from him is expected
soon
The war department. it appears, under
estimated the time that would be required
for the Grant to arrive at Nagasaki. She
eal'ed on the LIST instant, so that she Is
not quite due at that point with Gen.
Chaffee
The Goodnow cablegram reciting the
message from Prince Tuan as vouching
Tor the safety of the foreign ministers on
July IS. caused ripple of excitement for
Tine at the state department, but the
"neals soon concluded from the context
ana other circumstances surrounding the
message that Yuan was meant instead of
4uan' so that the message lost the, value
would have had If it had come from the
'eaoubtable Boxer leader.
HAY SILENT ON MEDIATION.