The age-herald., 1900-12-04


 The imperial family and the government had fled a few days before The city's imperial soldiery had made on the night of the 18th last attempt to exterminate the besieged, which was gallantly repell- ed. It fell to the occupying forces to re- store order and organize a provisional ad- ministration.
 Happily, the acute disturbances were con- fined to the Northern province. It is relief to recall and a pleasure to record the loyal conduct of the yiceroys and To- cate authorities of the Southern and Beast ern provinces. Their efforts were contin- uousy directed to the pacific control Of the vast populations under their rule and to the scrupulous observance of foreign treaty rights. At a critical moment they did not hesitate to memorali2e the throne, urging the protection of the legations the restor- ation of communication and the assertion of the imperial authority against the sub version elements. They maintained excel lent relations with the official representa- ton of foreign powers. To their kindly dis position is largely due the success of the consuls in removing many of the mission aries from the interior to places of safe- ty. In this relation the action of the con- suls should be highly commended In Shan Tung and Eastern China the task was difficult, but thanks to their energy and to the cooperation of American and for NIeSH wal CUHlIHdlldHIS, Ol lOi eigners, including those of other nation alities than ours, were rescued from im- minent peril
 The policy of the United States through all this trying period was clearly announc- ed and scrupulously carried out. A crcu- lar note to the powers dated July pro- claimed our attitude. Treating the con- dition in the North as one of virtual an- archy in which the great provinces of the South and Southwest had no share we re- garded the local authorities in the latter quarters as representing the Chinese peo- pie with whom we had sought to remain in peace and friendship. Our declared aims involved no war against the Chinese nation. We adhered to the legitimate of flee of rescuing the imperilled legation, ob- tadning redress for wrongs already suffer- ed, securing wherever possible the safety of American life and property in China, and preventing a spread of the disorders or their recurrence.
 Policy of tHe United States.
 As was then said, the policy of the gov ernment of the United States is to seek a solution which may bring about perma- nent safety and peace to China, preserve Chinese territorial and administrative en- tity, protect all rights granted 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. Faithful to these professions, which as it proved, reflected the views and purposes of the other CO., operating governments, all our efforts have been directed toward ending the ano- molous situation in China for a settlement at the earliest possible moment. As soon as the sacred duty of relieving our legation was accomplished we withdrew from ac- tive hostiities leaving our legation under an adequate guard in Pekin as channel of negotiation and settlement course adopted by others of the interested powers. OVertures of the empowered republics of the Chinese Emperor have been consider ably entertained. The Russian proposition looking to the restoration of the imper- ial power In Pekin has been accomplished as in full consonance with our own desires, for we held and hold that effective repar- ation for wrongs suffered and an enduring settlement that will make their recurrence impossible, can best be brought about un- der an authority which the Chinese nation revenences and obeys. While so doing, we forego no jot of our undoubted right to exact exemplary and deterrent punishm ent of the responsible authors and abettors of the criminal act whereby we and other nations have suffered grievous injury. For the real culprits, the false counselors who have led the Imperial judgement and di- verted the sovereign authority to their own guilty ends full expiation becomes im- perative within the rational limits of re- tributive justice. Regarding this as the initial condition of an acceptable settlement between China and the powers I said in my message of October IS to the Chinese Emperor:
 ''I trust that negotiations may begin so soon as we and the othdr offended gov ernments shall be satisfied of your majes- tvs ability and power to treat with just sternness the principal offenders who are doubly culpable not alone toward the for eigners but toward your Majesty, under whose rule the purpose of China to dwell in concord with the world had hitherto found expression in the welcome and pro- lection assured to strangers.
 The Negotiations.
 Taking as a point of departure, the im- perial edict appointing Earl Ii Hung Chang and Prince Ching plenipoaentiaries to arrange a settlement, and the edict of September 25 whereby certain high officials were designated for punishment, this gov ernment 1has moved, in concert wt.1 the other powers, toward the opening of nego- tiations which MT Conger, assisted by Mr. Rockhill has been authorized to con- duct on behalf of the United States.
 General bases of negotiations formulated by the government of the French Repub- lie have been accepted and will contain reservations as to details made necessary by the circumstances. But like similar reservations by other powers, open to dis cussion in the progress of negotiations. The disposition of the Emperor's govern ment to admit liability for wrongs done to our foreign governments and their nation als and to act upon such additional desig- nation of the guilty persons as the foreign ministers at Pekin may be in a position to make gives hope of complete settlement of all questions involved, assuring foreign y-ifrhf Of int nY1 terms of equality for all the world. I re- gard as one of the essential factors of a