Evening star., 1900-08-02
Its Gravity Increased by Celestial
GovErnmsht's Attitude.
TEE DANGER pr ACTUAL WAR
Responsibility for the Safety of
Rhe ministers.
To PRESS ON

Though the cabinet meeting today was
not occasioned by a special emergency and
was chiefly for the purpose of 4 review of
the general situation and ratification of
the course of Secretary Hay, it is felt that
the denouement is chose at hand and that
the gravity of the Chinese situation is in
creased by the attitude of China in trying
to impose terms for the release of the
ministers. This course amounts to the min
listers being in the position of prisoners
held by the Chinese government.
Danger of Actual War.
The practical certainty that the Chinese
government has. to a greater or less ex-
tent, been implicated in the murder and
persecution of foreigners brings into close
contemplation the danger of the develop
ment of actual war. Yet the feeling in
Washington is that by the firm course which
has been adopted China may be brought
to realize the disastrous consequences in
volved to her from further resistance, and
that this may be averted. The correspon-
dence given out at the State department
this morning. with reference to Ii Hung
Changs proposition to make terms with
the powers upon the basis of the safe
return of the ministers, clearly defines the
attitude of this government, and the opin-
ion is universally expressed that the firm
munication declining to enter into such ne
2ouation and pointing out the responsible
ity of the Chinese government will impress
upon the responsible authorities in China
the necessity of abandoning their policy of
deception and temporiZing.
Responsibility for Minister'S Safety.
The Chinese are given p.a;nly to under
stand that in making this proposition for
negotiation. the government itself becomes
reSDDnSibla Jirpctly the SafptV of the
ministers, and cannot escape that response
btllty longer on the plea that it IS power
less. AS Mr.. Hay pointed.y says, II the
Chinese government is able to conduct the
ministers to Tien Tsin in consideration of
promises required of the powers, 1t Is able
to protect them at Pekin. The attitude of
the Chinese in proposing conditions In con-
sideration of its safeguard of the ministers
amounts practically to the ministers being
held as hostages. and in this the government
itself becomes party, If 1t were not already
so, to the violation of International obliga-
tions and guilty practically Of an act of
war.
While Secretary Root said just before GO
ing to the cabinet meeting that he had no
further information concerning the move
ments of the allied forces, the belief Is
general that the advance has begun, and
that nothing will be permitted to interfere
reach Pekin and relieve the ministers.
Whether this movement will result in
actual war can be determined only by fu-
ture events. but firm and vigorous course
Will be pursued whatever the consequences
may be. There will be temporiZing, and
China will be held to her International OBJ
legations. not In spirit of revenge, as far
as this government Is concerned but with
a determine ton to compel China to observe
her obi. cations and to respect the rights
OF this government and of American citi-
Zens. The administration has faith, based
rather on reason than on anything else
that this wiil/be accomplished without our
being involved in war with China
MT. Buffers Opinion.
Representative Butler of Pennsylvania.
who was at the Navy Department today to
inquire about his son, Captain Butler, who
was wounded at Tien Tsin, expressed the
opinion that the allied forces would press
forward as speedily as possible to the relief
of this expedition, which is one purely of
relief. had been accomplished, the American
forces would be Withdrawn from China, and
that We would leave the Chinese govern
ment to rehabilitate itself as nation, Ca
pable of protecting foreign ministers anu
of observing Its International obligations
before according to her the support of the
friendly powers. He said that he thought
the prevailing sentiment in the country was
In favor Of our getting out of China and
leaving the Chinese to solve the problem
of government for themselves as soon as
we have accomplished the rescue of the
besieged foreigners at Pekin.
Mr.. Butler said that Admiral Remey ca
bed the gratifying news that his son, Cap
tain Butler, had almost recovered from
his wound, and that Captain Leonard, who
was at the same time very severely wound
ed, Is expected to recover.