New-York tribune., 1900-07-11
Department of State.


diplomatic representatives abroad:
Department of State
Washington July 8 1900.
In this critical posture of affairs in China it is
deemed appropriate to define the attitude of the
Unlted states as far present circumstances
permit this to be done. We adhere to the policy
initiated by us in 1857 of peace with the Chinese
nation of furtherance Of lawful commerce and
OF protection of lives and property of our citi-
zens by all means guaranteed under extra-te
rltorial treaty rights and by the law of nations.
II wrong be done to our citizens we propose to
accountability.
We regard the condition at Peking as one of
virtual anarchy, whereby power and RESPONSE
blllty are practically deVolved upon the local
provincial authorities. So long they are not
In overt collusiOn with rebellion and use their
power to protect foreign life and property we
regard them representing the Chinese peo-
pie, with whom we seek to remain in peace and
irlehdshlp The purpose Of the President is, as
II has been heretofore, to act concurrenty with
the other Powers, first in opening up communi-
ofnc1als, missionaries and other Americans who
are in danger; second, in affOrdng all possible
protection everywhere in China to American life
ana property; third, in guarding and protecting
all legitimate American interests, and fourth in
aiding to prevent spread of the disorders to
the other provinces of the Empire and a recur-
renee of such disasters.
1t is, of course, too early to forecast the means
Of attaining this last result but the policy of
the Government of the United States is to seek
solution which may bring about permanent
safety and peace to China, preserve Chinese ter
ritorial and administrative entity. protect all
rights guaranteed to friendly Powers by treaty
and international law, and safeguard for the
world the principle of equal and impartial trade
with all parts of the Chinese Empire,
You will communicate the purport of this in
struction to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
HAY.
This circular Of instructions was drawn up on
June 80 and transmitted to Canton, where it
received the Presidents approval before It was
communicated to the interested Powers. 1t was
intended to supplement with greater detail and
emphasis the position assumed by the United
States two weeks earlier to the effect substan-
TALLY that this Government recognized state
of anarchy in and near Peking and found no
warrant for a declaration of war
EFFECT OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
This simple and clear cut announcement met
with quick acquescence from all the nations
with effects which were more far reaching than
at first appeared possible 1t not only brought
over the vacillating Viceroys to open opposition
of the anti-foreign agitation making the United
States foremost as the friend Of China, but by
securing the firm adhesion of the principal
maritime nations to a broad and liberal policy
it operated to prevent a declaration of war by
a single country, however great the provoca-
ton
1t placed the United States, moreover, dis
tinctly in the lead as the policy maker of the
Powers IN their relations with China, and al
though 1t called for no assurances on the part
of the Governments to whom it addressed.
it received treatment Of the same nature as that
displayed last winter In the responses which
made the open door permanent reality.
The ampifed declaration of July is expect
ed to meet with similar favor and to the
nations addressed to look more than ever to this
Government, the least affected by selfish
motives to continue in the lead in solving the
world haunting Chinese problem. No promise is
exacted, and, in fact, there is no seeming effort
directly made to secure a reply, but the Presi-
dent and Secretary Hay will not be surprised If
complete unanirnity Of expression is promptly
developed in Europe and Japan without the
slightest variation from the American declara-
tion as shown by the cordial reception it has
had in every quarter it was enun-
ciated.