New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-25
THE MEDIATION PROPOSALS.

The keynote Of the Chinese Emperor's appeal
TO the President Of the United States for what
would practically be mediation between China
and the other Powers is TO be found in its
second sentence-''NeitheT country entertains
THE least suspicion distrust toward the
other That, we trust, is true. AT any rate,
The Governments Of both countries are acting
IS though ii were true. We are not sure it is
true of China and any other country. Certainly
We know Of no other Power whose Govern
mcnt is acting as though it bad no suspicion
or distrust of China. Germany, for example,
win no longer let the Chinese Minister commu-
nicate with his Government in cipher; and
when last week the Chinese Emperor made an
appeal 70 France for her good Offices his mes
FHge was regarded ut the Quai dOrsay and
generally in Paris, as our Paris correspondent
told Us Sunday a mere ruse intended TO
foment teaiousies among the Powers and TO
gain time for China. There is, moreover, gen
eral incredulity in Europe concerning the
alleged message from Mr.. Conger and scepti-
cism regarding the good faith of the Chinese
Government. At Washington however the
good faith of Mr. WI and Of his Government
is not impugned. entire freedom of communi-
cation between them is maintained. and the
Emperor's appeal for aid is treated with serious
and sympathetic consideration. Perhaps the
European Powers are right, and the United
States is wrong and is being fooled. We do not
know Bat down to the present moment we
see no reason TO doubt either the justice the
practical prudence of the United States policy,
nor any for departing from it.
The keynote of the Presidents reply to the
Emperor is simply TO take the latter at his
word and 10 urge him 10 put his professions
into execution Nothing could be more reason
able and just than that. and nothing could be
more adroi. 1t is a turning Of the tables upon
China with irresistible effect Since the Chi
nose Government desires peace and friendship,
says the President in effect, and is striving to
suppress the antiforeign rebellion against its
own authority let il give the world information
of the welfare Of the Minister'S and protect
them and give them free communication with
their Governments, and itself get into touch
with the relief forces which are being sent in
for no other purpose than to restore peace and
order and 10 maintain the law. Let these
things be done says the President and there
viii be difficulty In making an amicable
settlement with all the Powers, to which end
the United States viii gladly give it's good
offices. That, we may safely say, is a reply 10
which no rejoinder can logically be made save
that Of compliance. Not even the plea of non
pOssumus would be valid, because even if the
Chinese Government were unable 10 suppress
the rebellion it would at least be able TO vel
come the aid Of the Powers; and its own action
in sending out this appeal for mediation is
ample proof that it could send out detailed
messages from the Ministers at Picking II 1t
would and If they were alive and well as we
sill hope they are and as the President prop
erIy assumes them to be. We shall see, then,
what the Chinese rejoiDder is. and upon its