The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-07-27
THE PRESIDENT
AGREES TO ACT.
Accepts the Representations of
Chinese Government
AND Is WILLING TO MEDIATE
Secretary Hay Hands Minister Wa q Favor
able Reply to the Imperial Govern
ment Omcial-There Are Some
Conditions.

Washington, July 24-Monday after
noon, Just before he left for Cleveland,
Secretary of State Hay handed to Min
lister WI the reply Of the president to
the appeal from the Emperor Kwang
Su to the United States to act as
mediator and endeavor to bring about
a settlement of the present troubles
in China without war between China
and the powers. The president con-
sents to act as mediator, rather than
to use the good offices Of the United
States.
The answer was framed after a con-
sultation by telephone and telegraph
between the president and the secretary
Of state, and almost Immediately after
delivering 1t to Minister WI, Secretary
Hay left the state department to take
the train for Cleveland.
BY consenting to act as mediator the
president has assumed that Minister
Wu and the Chinese authorities In
Peking are acting in good faith. Secre-
tary Hay did not even require any
proof from Minister WI that the re-
quest for mediation was genuine. He
accepted the fact that 1t came from
the accredited diplomatic representa-
tive of the Chinese empire as sufficient
guarantee of its authenticity, and did
not question 1t any more than he would
IL Lord Pauncefote would present a
note at the department purporting to
come from the British foreign office.
The theory on which the administration
is acting Is that II the Chinese govern
ment Is really acting in good faith, the
United States will be in a much better
position by crediting the official COM
| munication received, and that IL 1t
| should turn out that these communi-
cations are not what they purport to
be the position of this government will
| not be any the worse, for, coincident
with the efforts that are being made to
have the powers united in a policy of
| cooperation with China so far as China
will work toward securing the safety of
foreigners and the restoration of order,
strong efforts are being made to expe-
| dite the movement Of the relief force
from Tien Tsin.
The Chinese position, as they would
like to have the world understand it, Is
that the imperial government has no
| time participated in the anti-foreign
\ outbreak or in any attack upon the
ministers or other foreigners; that the
taking of the Taku fort by the powers
which participated in that operation
was an act Of war against China, and
that the imperial government is justi-
fled in regarding with suspicion the
motives of the powers, which, having
previously despoiled the empire of ter
ritory, are now suspected Of seeking OPP
portunities to enlarge their territorial
possessions. The Uuited States Is the
one power that Is not suspected I
coveting Chinese territory, and this
fact taken in connection with Admiral
Kempff's refusal to join the attack on
the forts, is given as the reason why
| China has appealed to the United
States now to endeavor to bring about
a peaceful settlement.
The understanding on which the
president consented to act is under.
stood to be that the Chin .se govern.
ment shall so far as 1t Is within Its
power to do so bring about the OBJ.
jects which the United States an.
nounced as its purpose in Secretary
Hays note. These are:
The opening up Of communication
with Peking and the rescue of officials
missionaries and other Americans whc
are in danger. The affording all possible
protection everywhere in China tc
American life and property; the guard.
ing and protecting Of all Legitimate
American interests; the prevention oj
the spread of disorders to other pro-
vinces of the empire and Of recur'
renee of such disorders.
The first of these objects will have tC
be accomplished as preliminary to any
effective action. A means of communi.
cation between the government II
Washington and its representative II
Peking must be opened up withou
delay, If that representative Is alive
and under the protection Of the Chinese
government. 1t is inconceivable thai
one government should exert itself II
the interest of another If that other Il
restraining in any way the accredited
minister from friendly power.