The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-24
Europe Takes No Stock
in Conger Message.
Important News Expected From
Admiral Remey.

Washington, July S3.-The President
has listened to the appeal of the Chinese
government as transmitted byMinisterWu,
and has signifed mis- willingness to medi-
ate between the imperial government and
the powers, but only upon conditions
which first must be met by the Chinese
government.
The exact nature of the terms proposed
by the State Department cannot be stated
until tomorrow when it is expected that
publication viii be made of the Chinese
appeal and of the Presidents answer. 1t
is known, however, that the answer Is
entirely consistent with the statement of
principles laid down by Secretary Hay
in hissidentical note to the powers and
moreover 1t accepts as truthful the Chi
nese statements relative to the safety of
the foreign ministers at Pekin.
1t would not of course be possible to
take even the initial steps toward medi-
alton were either party to the negotia-
tions to entertain openly distrust of the
accuracy of the statements of the other.
There must be confidence between them.
The United States answer does not go
to the length Of the French answer to a
similar appeal in laying down conditions
which the Chinese government could
not meet, even if so disposed if it act
ualIy is struggling for its own existence.
It does, however,, look TO the immediate
relief of the foreign ministers in Pekin
and moreover to the protection of all for
eigners, missionaries nj traders in China
and to the restoration of order
With so much accomplished, the State
Department feels that it can properly
approach the powers with the Chinese
propositions for a settlement for what
has occurred. The Chinese appeal came
to Secretary Hay yesterday through Mr..
WI. The Secretary promptly telegrapned
it to the President at Canton and after
taking full day for its consideration,
the Presidents answer came this after
noon to the State Department 1t was
put in the proper diplomatic form and q
copy delivered to Minister WI, who was
to forward it to his own government. The
appeal and answer win be made-pubIc
here tomorrow. The imperial edict made
public today at the State Department
shows that the imperial government al
ready has taken the first steps toward do
ing what the United States requires as to
the principal condition for the exercise
of it's good offices, in enjoining the vice.
roys, magistrates and leading men to stop
the disorders and protect foreigners. Our
government win await the result OF this
before nrOceedino further
Tt is expected that adverse criticism up
on the action Of the State Department. in
this matter viii be heard from Europe
where the governments are acting upon
the belief that all of the foreign minis
ters in Pekln have perished, but our gov
ernment nevertheless regards it's course
as the correct one. All of the European
governments have taken the stand above
indicated. The last of the answers to
Secretary Hay note reciting the Conger
message have come and all of them, in
terms polite and diplomatic express ut
ter incredulity in the authenticity OF the
Conger message. Consul General Good
now, himself a man of good Judgment,
also cabled q warning to Secretary Hay
against the acceptance of the message
without confirmation. But the State De-
partment has fully considered the mes
sage in all of it's aspects, has carefully
weighed the numerous objections and
suspicious put forth here and in Europe
and without guaranteeing the authen
ticity of the message, feels it to be a mat
ter of prime duty to act upon the theory
that it is genuine.
Admiral Rerney's notification to the de-
partment that he had gone in person up
to the Pei Ho from Taku to Tien Tsin
is attributed to the receipt by him Of
Secretary Longs urgent message to has
ten the efforts to get to Pekin, and im-
no1.Lant NEWS from him is exnacted soon.