Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-11-27
SITUATION Is CRITICAL.
Chinese Matters no Not Improve
Rapidly.

proved for the better within the last |
two or three days. Last week the state |
department addressed long and ex-
plicit dispatch to Minister Conger set
ting forth IN the plainest language the
exact position Of the United States.
That no other government might ac-
cuse the United States Of acting In an
underhand or unfair manner, a copy of
this dispatch Was Immediately cabled
to our ambassadors and ministers ac-
credited to the powers interested, who
were given instructions to lay the dis
patch before the various foreign off,
ces.
The two salient points of this dis
patch were. frst, that while the United
States was not In any way attempting
to shield the ringleaders in the recent
uprising and was not asking mercy for
them, 1t objected most strenuously to
being placed In ridiculous light by
presenting demands in the form OF an
ulttmatum to the Chinese government
which that government could not satis-
~.
The other points emphasized were
that no extortionate demand for an in
sdemnity should be made and that this
government would be satisfied with a
fair and reasona Bile amount OF compen-s
sation.
Secretary Hay also added IN his dis-
match to Mr.. Conger that the United
etAtes dedred the utmost harmony
among the powers and 70 anxious was
Al for concerted action that It would
not retire from the concert even II II.
were overruled, but 1t was added that
to make demands with which China
could not comply must inevitably result
In lowering the prestige OF the western
powers.
Az late a. Saturday the administra-
tion had reason to believe that Its sug-
aestions were being favorably received
by some Of the powers and that more
moderate course would prevail. 1t now
appears that these hopes were not justi-
fed and that the various foreign offices
have surrendered to: their ministers In
Pekin and will permit them to enforce
the most drastic measures.
The ministers at Pekin have practi-
cally absolute power and can conclude
any kind OF preliminary treaty which
In their judgment may seem best. Mr..
Conger hae equal authority with the
other min!sters. and will, II is believed,
sign treaty, altho he knows that 1t Is
8 not acceptable to the president
The fact . that Minister Conger Is not
IN complete harmony with the state de-
partment at the present time. The adj
ministration regards him as too yindic-
tive and too insistent upon blood az the
price Of peace.
II the circumstances Were such that
he could be easily recalled and anothe,
man appointed In his place who coulG
take up the negotiations without In.
voly1ng delay there is no doubt that hit
SUCCESSOR would be appointed, but thL
IL Impossible, and Mr.. Conger will re-
main in charge OF the American Legation
q at Pekin until the air has cleared. Tht
state department received long die
patch from Mr.. Conger yesterday, but
the contents We're not made public. anc
no Information regarding 1t can be OBJ
tanned. II il believed. however. that tn,
press dispatches from Pekln published
In the morning papers are substantial,
correct. and that the ministers hay,
agreed on preliminary treaty on tn,
basis OF the French noNe.
"A member OF the cabinet. who - thor
oughly conversant with the Chinese ne
i gotiations when asked what would b
the next move said II can not answe
your question because no one knows
The United States must act in concer
with the other powers, but at least w
have the satisfaction OF knowing tta
we protested against their action an,
pointed out to them the folly OF thei
course. =