Evening journal., 1900-07-25
MEDIATION TO FOLLOW
MINISTER'S PRODUCTION


Washington, July 25.-The state de-
partment is again in waiting attitude
regarding China. It has frankly,
promptly and fully answered the Chi
nese emperor's appeal for mediation,
and the next move is for the Chinese
government. II IS expected to accept
or reject our terms at once, and in
either case the answer must convey
tidings Of the state of affairs at Pekin
and the welfare Of the legationers.
Furthermore, the Chinese government
must produce the ministers In safety
before the president will act, and the
president expressly declares that his
mediation must be subject to the ap-
proval of the powers.
The belief rs not concealed here that
the chances for successful mediation
is slight. Mediation cannot be forced
upon a party to cause; Il must be ac-
ceptable TO all the parties. If the
United States is TO mediate in China's S
interest she must first secure the as
sent of all the powers who have suf-
fered in life or property at PeSin. The
difficulties In the way of such an un-
dertaking are likely to be many and
serious in view Of the exhibition of
feeling in Europe. But it is said here
that the United States will cheerfully
undertake the task, provided its condi-
tions are met. If it does not succeed
| in inducing the European powers to
be lenient in their treatment of the
/ imperial government of China the
United States government will not be
| drawn into further hostilities after we
have taken care of our own affairs, but
we will withdraw, taking care. how
ever, to let IL be understood that this
government will not allow its proper
interests in China to be injured by the
action of any Of the powers that may
choose TO remain obdurate.
At least one OF the greatest Of the
powers is under strong suspicion here
OF acting cold bloodedly and without
regard to sentiment OF anything NOR,
than the most material of considera
tions. IL is believed here that this
power is quietly taking measures t
drop out of the league at Tien TsiI
and conduct a campaign on its Owl
account against Pelin, and it is ever
suspected that this power is already
moving troops toward the Chines'
capital
/ One fact regarded as now beyon,
need of further demonstration, in view
OF the Chinese appeal is that the Chi
nese officials at the coast ports ar
1 actually in communication with what
, ever remains of the imperial govern
D ment at Pekin, and the text of Kwan
{ Su's appeal appears to establish tn
fact that the Chinese government il
/ self is sanctioning the resistance to tn
] international advance upon Pekin.
The state department and the Chi
} nese legation substantially agree il
: the estimate Of six to eight days as tn
time necessary to get a reply to tn
presidents answer to the appeal of tn
Chinese government According I
the best information here urgent mes
sages are being transmitted betwee
Pekin and Shanghai by the "fyin
Z express" This, according to the Chi
nese. is a relay Of mounted messenger
similar to the old pony express acros
the plains, and is used when the wiz
/, communication is interrupted.
Assuming from Sheng's dispatch this
a movement was on foot on the 1St
to get the foreign ministers starte
from Pelin to Tien Tsin under escoi
. OF imperial troops, the state depar
r ment would not be surprised to g
Z definite news of them from headqual
ters Of the allied forces in a sho
y time. The distance from Tien Tsi
to Pcl1in is as miles, and at this seasc
the trip should be made in four day
supposing the escort Of imperial trool
i met with no resistance from the il
q surgents.
s Secretary Root said yesterday TIL
/; he supposed the Fourteenth infantl
z had arrived at Taku, and by the eT
> Of this month the United States wou
N have 5000 troops in China.