New-York tribune., 1900-07-20
SPECIAL ENVOY TO CHINA
". W. ROCKHTLL'S L[POR-
TANT ULSSION.
APPOINTED BY TUE PRESIDENT To
REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES
IN NEGOTIATIONS AND
INVESTIGATIONS.
INVESTIGATIONS.
lBr TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBrxE-I

Washington. July 19.-The President has an.
nounced his determination to seEd a Special
Envoy TO China to keep this Government in
formed Of the true state of affairs there and to
act under the instructions of the State Depart
ment In a diplomatic capacity in negotiations
with such Chinese authorities it may be
deemed advisable hereafter to recognize. For
this important duty William Woodviue Rock
hill, formerly Secretary Of Legation at Peking.
later Assistant Secretary Of State and Minister
to Greece, and now Director of the Bureau OF
American Republics has been selected
Mr.. RockhiH has arranged to sail from Van
cOuver on the steamer Empress of China
August 3 which should land him at Shanghai
in twenty-five days There he will pick up the
threads of the situation and remain at least
until the way to Pekins is opened He will i'm
mediately begin his investigation into the atti-
tude of the southern Viceroys and leading In
perial officials in that part of China. in this
doubtless having the cooperation Of Baron Won
Mumm. the new German Envoy. who is in
innate friend of Mr. RockhiH. In the event Of
Minister Conger's death or incapacity Mr.. Rock
hill will succeed him. but for the present his
mission will be distinct from that at Peking.
His familiarity with China. its language, his
tory. policy. people and diplomacy. is expected
to prove of the highest value. The scope Of his
credentials and his authority and his position
will contribute TO give him sources OF trust
worthy information not open to consular officers.
and with mis- extended diplomatic experience he
is expected to keep the Government fully in
formed on all the topics in regard 10 which ofi-
cials most require information
Mr.. RockhfH was appointed Second Secretary
of Legation at PeIIns in 1884. and within year
became First Secretary there. In 1896 he was
transferred to Corea and for year was Charge
d'Ahares ad interim at Seoul. The knowledge
he gained of the peculiarties Of the Asiauc
races and their methods in his service in these
countries was Of great value 10 the state De
Partment during the war between China and
Japan. involving as it did all three countries,
for the struggle really began in Corea- While
in China Mr.. Rockhin made a personal expIora-
ton of the interior Of Thibet. and his journey
through that strange country. described in
his reports and in a volume of travels at
tracted much attention in the scientific world.
When Mr.. Rockhill returned TO the United
States he was made chief clerk OF the Depart
rnent OF State, and while in that place also
acted as the representative of the Department
on the Government Board OF Control az the
Chicago Worlds Fair. In 1894 he ap-
pointed Third Assistant Secretary of state
holding this office until the early part OF the
present Administration when he was sent
Minister TO Greece. Rumania and Servia- he
resigned this post about a year ago TO become
Director OF the Bureau OF American Republics
Last April he was married 70 Miss Perkins at
Pomfret. Conn
In the last six months Mr.. RockhHI has been
the chief adviser of Secretary Hay Chinese
questions particularly in the negotiations 70
secure the open door. and in the present crisis
his advice has been regarded as invaluable