Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-28
HOPE IS ONCE MORE REVIVED.
Continued from page H.

nOunccMent tnat unuer no clfCuiH-
stances will the United States govern
ment accept the Chinese offer to turn
over the foreign ministers to the inter-
nationals at Tien Tsin in considera-
ton of a suspension of the campaign
against Pekin. A long cablegram was
dispatched, today. to Rear Admiral
Remey at Taku and it is believed that
this instruction was laid before him.
The state department claims to be
pursuing an entirely consistent course
in this decision. The officials point our
that all Of the bitter criticism in the
European papers directed against the
United States policy is based upon Il
total misunderstanding of the funda-
mental principles which have governed
the actions of the department.
At no time, it is said, has the state
department allowed the belief that the
foreign ministers at Pekin We're alive
to interfere in the slightest degre-.
with the prosecution of its military
plans for reaching Pekin. On the con-
trary, the news that the ministers were
alive was accepted by the state depart
ment not as conveying absolute verify.
but as an additional reason for hasten
ing the relief column forward to Pekin.
1t was the department. contention
that even though a degree of improb-
ability surrounded the Chinese news,
as to the state of affairs in Pekin, We {
every consideration of humanity and
policy demanded that it should be given
careful consideration and that it should
be acted upon as if true, provided thai
action went toward the relief of tn a,
foreign ministers and did not operate
to prevent the contamination of an 7
of the objects laid down in Secretary
Hays identical note. The department
is absolutely satisfied that it's attitude
is perfectly correct, and that even
European critics WILL in time, admi.
that fact.
Secretary Hays decision to decline
the last Chinese proposition was based
upon his determination to adhere
strictly to the conditions laid down in
the reply to the Chinese Emperor's ap-
peal. The state department required
that the ministers at Pekin be put in
communication with the government J
and the most significant condition cf
all. that the Chinese authorities CO.
operate with n relief expedition for tn :
liberation of the legations. Until these
two things are done. the state depart
ment absolutely refuses to be led into
CATION of the punishment of the Chin
any arrangement looking to the miti-
ese government such the abandon
ment of the expedition to Pekin.
1t is not known at present just how
this last proposition reached the state
department. 1t is inferred that it came
from several sources, but all are be
leved to be traceable to Ii Hung
Chang.
Mr.. GOodnow our consul general at
Shanghai, is the nearest United States
official to Lii and has acquitted himself
so well up to this point. that the state
department does not hesitate to make
free use of him as diplomatic agent.
Therefore, it may be interesting for the
foreign contingent at Shanghai. who
have complained against Mr.. Good
nows intercourse with Ii Hang Chang
to know that the consul general is act
ing in strict accordance with the in
structions Of the state department.
Secretary Hay has cabled him to put
himself in communication with Earl
Ii and to avail as far as possible of
that Chinese officials influence in Sc
curing the objects plainly stated in the
Identical note.
1t does not follow that the United
States is bound to accept without ques-
ton any statement made by Ii. Mr..
Goodnow is Il shreWd man and the de
partment of state feels itself able. us
ing him as an Intermediary. to give
proper weight to anything coming from
the great viceroy. In so doing. the de-
partment is carrying out it's policy of
making all proper use of any instru
l. I, + hi
it's well defined objects. and it is not to
be deferred from so doing by any criti-
cisms that it is thereby disturbing the
solidarity of the powers in their deal
ings with the Chinese government.
A special cabinet meeting was held
in Secretary Hays office, this MORN
ing The secretary of state, fresh from
his personal intercourse with the Pres
ident was in a position to advise mis-
colleagues of the Administrations pur
pose and the whole Chinese ST lation
was discussed Besides Secretary Hay
there were present Secretary Gage,
Postmaster General Smith and Secre-
tary Root.
When the cabinet conference ad
journed it was stated that no further
definite plans concerning the action of
this government had been proposed.
The meeting was a regular exchange
of opinions and views. Secretary Hay
laid before the members the latest in
formatio he has received. including
a dispatch from United States Consul
Goodn0w at Shanghai.
The government has received infor-
nation presumably fIom Admir- al Rem
ey. that the number of allied troops in
Tien Tsin is $4,000. The NOV ement of
the troops from Tien Tsin to Pekin.
Secretary Root said. would depend up
on the arrival and mobilization of
troops of other nations now on the
way to Taku. He said il would be i'm
possible for the United States force to
go alone. He further stated that all
the United States troops that could
possibly be spared had been ordered
To China.
This government presumably is still
accepting in good faith the representa-
tons made by Minister WI. Our Of
ficials figure that two days must elapse
before an answer can be received from
Minister Conger (presuming he is stll
aive) 10 the last code message sent
him. In the meantime they are direct
,Il h.