New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-23
THE POLICY TOWARD CHINA
THIS GOVERNMENT ACTING ON THE
THEORY THAT MINISTER'S
ARE ALIVE.
ARE ALIVE.
CBy The Associated PressJ

C3y The Associated Press)
Washington, July 22.-Presdent Mckinley has
received what purports TO be a direct appeal
from the Chinese Imperial Government to use
his good offices to extricate that Government
from the difficult and dangerous position in
which it has been placed a result of the Boxer
uprising and the ensuing hostile attitude of the
great Powers. Although the exact text of the
appeal made by the Emperor of China to France
as outlined in the cable dispatches of yester
day, has not been made known here. it is be-
lieved that the address to the President is SINH
lar in terms to that communication. The COM
munication was made through Minister WI to
the State Department.
Thus far a final answer has not been returned.
The French Government answered at once, but
that answer will not serve the United States.
This Government is conscientiously proceeding
on an entirely different line of policy in the
treatment of the case. Unfortunately the State
Department finds itself alone in this matter but
nevertheless it is convinced that its plan is the
best and it has behind it the conSong assur
ance that at present all the European Govern
1nents have tacitIy admitted that an error was
made in the beginning in not following the ad-
vice of the United States naval commander at
Taku. The point of difference between the State
Department and the European Governments is
that the latter are proceeding on the belief that
all the foreign Ministers and missionaries and
guards in Peking have been killed, and insist on
dealing with the Chinese Government on that
basis, thereby assuming hostile attitude that
terds to destroy the last chance of utilizing
whatever friendly sentiment may yet exist
among the powerful Chinese Viceroys and the
Imperial Government itself. Thus the French
reply indicated in the four conditions laid down
by NJ. Delcasse yesterday sets an impossible
task for the Chinese Government in its present
straits and tends to drive it at once to make
terms with the Boxers and Prince Tuan's party
ADVANTAGE OF AMERICAN POLICY.
On the other hand. the Government, while
not guaranteeing the truth of the advices from
the Chinese Government to the safety of the
foreign Ministers. is willing to accept the state
rnents temporarily, IN the mean time remitting
none Of its efforts TO get access to Mr.. Conger
through the use of military force if need be.
BY following this policy the State Department
argues that it retains two chances instead of
one 1t may reach Mr.. Conger with troops, and
it also may secure his deliverance through the
friendly offices of some of the powerful Chinese
officials which the Powers not likely to OBJ
tain for their own people by following their
present policy. It may be said, also that the
United States Government does not intend TO
relinquish any part Of it's claim for compensa-
ton and reparation in the ultimate settlement.
affected unfavorably by prosecuting its efforts
to make use of the friendly sentiments of the
Chinese officials.
A particularly deplorable effect of the reason
ing Of the European governments on this point
in the estimation of the State Department. is
the abandonment Of the idea that there is a par
ticular need for haste and for taking even des-
perate chances in the effort to get the interna-
tional relief column through to Peking 1t is
true that the latest advices from Taku indicate
that whereas the foreign commanders originally
estimated the expedition could not start before
August 10, it is regarded by them as pos
sible to make a beginning about August /. But
the military experts here, who have been closely
scanning all the reports from Tien-Tsin that
appear to be worthy of credit feel that even
the way is open to Peking. and that the
march should begin with the force at present
on the Pei-Ho leaving the Powers to bring up
renforcements to reopen the base should the
first expedition be cut off. According to the
latest official reports. the country around Tien-
Tsin is clear of hostile Chinese. The flower OF
the Chinese army in that section has been de-
feated at Tien-Tsin, and these army experts
calculate that its power is so broken that 1t
cannot be reorganized in season 10 offer for
midable resistance. SO they argue that the time
is ripe for a stroke OF bold generalship.
FRIENDLY IMPERIAL STATEMENTS.
Further proof OF an official character OF the
mistake made by foreign commanders in the at
tack the Taku forts is contained in com
munication just received by the State Depart
nent from United States Consul Fowler, at Che
Foo He has transmitted Imperial edict
which was sent to him by telegraph by the
Chinese Governor of Shan-Tung Yuan Shi Kai.
at Tsi-Nan. the capital OF the province. 1t
issued on July H. and relates to the present hos
The dispatch containing the edict came to the
State Department in such confused phraseology
that II was impossible to do more than approx
mately state its sense
The edict appears to state in beginning that
owing to the trouble existing between the Chris
tians and the popqlace and to the seizure of the
,raku forts which aroused the military to arms.
Continued on third page.