The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-25
IT'S CHINA'S NEXT MOVE
Tien Tsin Is Now Under Military
Rule of Three Powers
BRITISH STILL DOUBT CONGER's MESSAGE
But Are Considering What to Do Should It
Prove True and the Ministers Still be
Alive. viii China Use Them
as Hostages
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington, July 24.-The State De
partment has frankly, promptly and
fully answered the Chinese Emperors
appeal for mediation and the corre-
spondence given publicity today makes
it appear that the next move is for
the Chinese Government. The beliet
is not concealed here that the chances
for successful mediation are slight.
If the United States is to mediate IN
China's interest she must first secure
the assent of all the powers who have
suffered in life or property at Pekin.
One fact regarded as now beyond
need of further demonstration in view
of the Chinese appeal is that the Chi
nese officials at the coast ports are
actually in communication with what
ever remains of the imperial govern
ment at Pekin. The State Department
and the Chinese legation substantial
lv agree in the estimate of six to eight
days as the time necessary 10 get a
reply to the Presidents answer to
the appeal Of the Chinese Govern
ment According 10 the best informa-
ton here urgent messages are being
transmitted between Pekin and Shang-
hal by the flying express" mention
ed in Consul Fowler's cablegram a
few days ago. This, according TO the
Chinese, j sa relay system Of mounted
messengers s milar to the old pony eN-
press across the plains and is used
when the wire communication is in
terrupted.
KWANG SU TO MCKINLEY.
Washington, July 24.-The following
correspondence between the President of
the United States and the Emperor OF
China was made public by the State De-
partment today:
The Emperor of China to His Excellency
the President Of the United States
Greeting
China has long maintained friendly re-
lations with the United States and is
deeply conscious that the object OF the
United States is international commerce.
Neither country entertans the least sus-
picon or distrust toward the other. Re-
cent outbreaks OF mutual antipathy be-
tween the people and Christian missions
caused the foreign powers to view with
suspicion the position of the imperial
government as favorable to the people
and nreiudicial to the missions, with
the result that the Taku forts were at
tackled and captured Consequently there
ha been clashing of forces with calam-
itous consequences. The situation has
become more and more serious and crit
cal. We have just received telegraph
| c memorial from our envoy WI Ting
Fang and it is highly gratifying to us to-
| learn that the United States Government
having in view the friendly relations be-
| tween the two countries has taken a
deep interest in the present situation.
Now China, driven by the irresistible
course of events. has unfortunately in
Cured well-nigh universal indignation
For settling the present difficulty, China
places special reliance in the United
States We address this message to
Your Excellency in all sincerity and can
ddness with the hope that Your Excellen-
cy will devise measures and take the
initiative in bringing about concert OF
the powers for the restoration OF order
and peace. The favor of q kind reply is
earnestly requested, and awaited with
the greatest anxiety.
KWANG HsU,
Goth year, 9th moon, 23d day. (July
10TH 1909
This cablegram was at once commu-
ncated to the President at Canton, and
the following is his reply:
McKINLEY'S REPLY.
The President CT the United States to
the Emperor Of China-Greeting:
| have received your Majesty's mes
sage Of the 10Th of July and am glad
to know that Your Majesty recognizes
the fact that the Government and people
OF the United States desire of China
nothing but what is just and equitable.
The purpose for which we landed troops
in China was the rescue OF our legation
from grave danger and the protection of
the lives and property of Americans who
were sojourning in China in the enjoy
ment Of rights guaranteed them by treaty
| and international law. The same pur-
poses are publicly declared by all the
powers which have landed military forces
in Your Majestys empire.
l am to infer from Your Majesty's let
ter that the malefactors who have dis
turbed the peace OF China, who have mur-
dered the Minister of Germany and
member Of the Japanese legation, and
who now hold besieged in Pekin those
foreign diplomatlsts who still survive,
have not only not received any favor or
encouragement from Your Majesty, but