The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-25
CHANCES ARE SLIGHT
MEDIATION PLAN HARDLY EXPEC-
TED TO SUCCEED.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.
nNE OF THE GREATEST POWERS
UNDER SUSPICION.


lies-sheng's Dispatch That LeGa-
,topers would BE Sent to Tien
Tain, Is the Same as That Sent to
London - EmperOr's Request and
Presidents Reply.
washington. July 24.-The state depart
ment is again in waiting attitude re-
yar1ine China 1t has frankly promptly
ond fulIv answered the Chinese Emperor's 5
appeal for mediation and the correspond
ence given publicity to-day makes it ap-
near that the next move is for the Chi
nese 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 in Pekin and the well
fare OF the legationers.
The belief is not concealed here that
the chances for successful mediation are
slight Mediation cannot be forced upon
a party 10 cause. 1t must be acceptab BILE
70 all the parties. 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.
The difficulties in the way of such an
Undertaking are likely to be many and
serious in view of the exhibition of feel
ing in Europe. But it is said here that
the United States will cheerfully under
take the task provided its conditions are
met 1t 1t 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 hostilites af-
ter we have taken care of our own affairs
hut we will withdraw, taking care how
ever. to let it be understood that this gov
ernment will not allow it's proper inter
ests in China to be injured by the action
of any of the Powers that may choose to
remain obdurate.
One of the Powers Suspected.
At least one of the great Powers is
under strong suspicion here of acting
coldbloodedly and without regard to SEN
timent or anything more than the most
material of considerations. 1t is believed
here that this Power is quietly taking
measures to drop out of the league at
Tien Tsin and conduct campaign on its
own account against Pekin, and it is even
suspected that this Power is already NOV
ing troops toward the Chinese capital.
One fact regarded as now beyond need
of further demonstration in view of the
Chinese appeal is that the Chinese Of
fcials al the coast ports are actually in
communication with whatever remains of
the imperial government at Pekin, and
the text of Kwang Hsus appeal appears
TO establish the fact that the Chinese gov
ernment itself is sanctioning the resist
ance to the Internal onal advance upon
Pekin.
The state department and the Chinese
legation substantially agree in the est-
mate CT six to eight days as the time ne
cessary to get a reply to the President 5
answer to the appeal Of the Chinese gov
ornment.
According to the best information here
urgent messages are being transmitted
between Pekin and Shanghai by flying
express" mentioned in Consul Fowler S
cablegram a few days ago. This accord
ing to the Chinese, is a relay system OF
mounted messengers similar to the old
pony express across the plains, and Is
used when the wire communication is IN
terrupted. The relay riders make about
200 miles a day. 1t is 400 miles from
Shanghai to Pekin, and this seems 10
agree very well with the speed made In
forwarding and returning the Conger
message.
should Soon BE Heard From.
Assuming from Sheng's dispatch that
movement was on foot on the 18th, 10
get the foreign ministers started from
Pekin TO Tien Ten under escort of impe-
risl troops, the state department would
not be surprised to get definite news OF
them from the headquarters of the allied
forces in short time. The distance from
Ten Tsin to Pekin is seventyfive miles
and az this season the trip is usually made
by road from Pekin to Tong Choo, point
on the Pei Ho, twelve miles below the
capital, and the remainder of the way by
boat. This trip now would take four days
supposing the escort of imperial troops
met with no resistance from the insur'
gents
il the move from Pekin was made
within two days after sheng's Information
was received it would be possible thai
'he iegationers and their escort are nov
IN touch with the headquarters of the al
Nes' always supposing that nothing seri'
Gus happened to the party on the road
The Dispatch From Sheng.
The Chinese minister received dis
P''0' this morning from sheng the di
,e'o' e railroads and telegraphs a
'"'Oshai' 'tating that the foreign minis
~r' are to b sent from Pekin to Tier
ISln under escoi,
'"s sheng telegram was made public a
'Ne state department in the following
Statement:
"'nlster Wu visiteo the state depart
'e'I this morning and hatled TO the act
aug Secretary of State the for.>wng tex
VI cable message, explaining thai It wa,
'ao4egram from Director General SIM.
al shanghai, dated July 20, 1900 to tn
O"hese minister at London. by whom
Naa been transmitted to Minister WI an
'e'e'Ved by the latter on the night OF III
same day.
news from Pekin Of 22d day Of etl
moon Corresponding to July 1s) says We
~" oY direction Of the Tsung II Yamer