Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-07-28
CHINESE GOVERNMENT MUST AL
Low DIRECT COMMUNICA-
TION
WITH THE PEKIN MINISTERS.
AND GIVE AID TO THE FOREIGN
TROOPS, NOW AT TIEN
TSIN.
In Their Efforts to Reach the
Chinese CapitOl-Li Hung Changes
Scheme Severely Sat Down Upon.
All Efforts to Be Directed Toward
Delivering the Foreign Lega-
lions if They are Alive.

stances will the United States govern
ment accept the Chinese offer TO turn
over the foreign ministers to the in
ternationals at Tien Tsin in consid-
Grafton of the suspension of the cam
paign against Pekin. A long cable
gram was dispatched to-day to Rear
Admiral Remey at Taku, and it is be-
lieved that this instruction was laid
upon it
The State Department claims to be
pursuing an entirely consistent course
in this decision. The officials point
out that all of the bitter criticism n
the European papers directed against
the United States policy is based upon
a total misunderstanding of the funda-
mental principles which have govern
ed the actions of the department. At
no time, it is said, has the State Dc
foreign ministers at Pekin were alive
to interfere in the slightest degree with
the prosecution of the military plans
for reaching Pekin. On the contrary,
the news that the ministers were
alive was accepted by the State De-
partment, not as conveying absolute
verify, but as an additional reason for
fastening the Relief Column
forward to Pekin. 1t was the depart
ment's contention that, even though a
degree of improbability surrounded tbs
Chinese news as TO the state of affairs
in Pekin, yet every consideration of
humanity and policy demanded that
it should be given careful considera-
ton and that it should be acted upon
as if true, provided that action went
toward the relief of the foreign minis
tiers, and did not operate to prevent
the contamination of any of the OBJ
jects laid down in Secretary Hays
identic note. The department is abso-
lutely satisfied that its attitude was
perfectly correct, and that even Euro
pean critics will, In time, admit that
fact.
Secretary Hays decision to decline
the last Chinese proposition was based
upon his determination to adhere
strictly to the conditions laid down in
the reply to the Chinese emperor's ap-
peal. The state department required
that the ministers at Pekin be put in
communication with their governments
and their most significant condition of
all, that the Chinese authorities coop
crate with the relief expedition for the
liberation of the legations. Until these
Two Things Are Done,
the state department absolutely refus-
ed TO be led into any arrangement look
ing to the mitigation of the punish
ment of the Chinese government, such
as the abandonment OF the expedition
to Pekin.
1t is not known at present just how
this. last proposition reached the state
department. 1t is inferred that 1t
came from several sources, but all are
believed 10 be traceable to Ii Hung
Chang. Mr.. Goodnow, our consul gen
eral at Shanghai, is the nearest United
States official to Ii. and has acquitted
himself so we'll up TO this point. that
the state department does not hesitate
TO make free use OF him as a diplomat
ic agent Therefore, it may be inter-
esting for the foreign contingent at
Shanghai, who have complained
against Mr.. Goodnow's intercourse with
Ii Hung Chang, 10 know that the CON
sui general is acting in strict accord
ance with the instructions Of the state
department. Secretary Hay has cabled
him 10 put himself in communication
with Earl Ii. and to avail, as far as pos
sible OF that Chinese officials influence
in securing the objects plainly stated
in the identie note. 1t does not follow
that the United States is bound to
accept without question any statement
made by Ii. Mr.. Goodnow Is shrewd
man and the department OF state feels
itself able, using him as an interme-
diary.
To Give Proper Weight
to anything coming from the great
yiceroy. In so doing the department is
carrying out its policy of making all
proper use of any instrumentalities
within its reach to achieve its well-de-
fined objects. and it is not to be de-
TERED from so doing by any criticism
that it is thereby disturbing the solid
ariEy Of the powers IN their dealings
with the Chinese government.
4 special cabinet meeting was held
in Secretary Hays ONCE at IL o'clock
this morning. the usual hour. The
Secretary Of State, fresh from his per-