Evening star., 1900-07-24

mate settlement and in framing his policy
for the future. This task viii involve a
large amount Of travel in China. Mr..
Rocl<hill is of the opinion that it will not
be sufficient to merely look into conditions
in Shangtung province and Pekin. If he
can obtain access to that capital He must
also visit other provinces and cities where
there is already disquiet and danger to
foreign interests, and this will he fraugat
with perhaps some personal risk. Bat it
is regarded as necessary undertaking
If the President is to be put in possession
of a comprehensive understanding of Chi
neSe conditions.
May BE Given Full Diplomatic Powers
1t is expressly stated that Mr.. Rockhill is
going out to China simply as an observer
for the President. This is technically true.
but II may also be stated that he Will be
intrusted with full diplomatic powers later
on if it seems eXpedient and in the inter
est of an early settlement Of the Chinese
problem to have directly on the ncli IN
authorized agent of the United States gov
ernment. Ii is even probable that ne will
be the next United States minister 10 Pekin
if il should turn on. hat Mr.. CUnSer has
indeed perished. 1t would. of course. be in
the worst possible taste for the State De-
partment to assume. in view of the official
assurances to the contrary. that Mr.. Con-
ger has been killed, and go to the point OF
appointing his successor in the absence Of
full proof of his demise. But the import
ance of having a suitably accredited d.po-
matte agent on the field ready for speedy
action cannot be overlooked by the State
Department out Of merely sentimental con-
sideratiuns. And doubtless thai fact had
much to do with the selection special
commissioner of a man fully equipped u
assume the functions of a United States
minister TO China in case Of need.
Action by England and Germany
1t is gathered here that the German gov
ernment has done something of the same
kind, and although the assurances Of the
death of the German minister to Pelln.
Baron Won Ketteler. are so strong as to
leave no doubt Of the fact Yet it is under-
stood that the credentials of Baron Mumm
Won Schwartzenstein, now on his way 10
Tien Tsin. are as Yet only those of iiplo-
matte agent of the German government
making his position thus correspond closely
to that Of Mr.. Rockhll.
l. is also noted that the British govern
ment has taken similar action in dispatch
ing to China Sir Walter IIiIyer. He is
Well known to Mr.. Rockhill. having been a
British consul at a Chinese port during the
presence of the American commissioner in
Pekin as secretary of legation,
There is reason to believe that the other
European powers having direct interests in
China will follow these examples. and thus
it may happen that the International COM
mission idea. originally contemplated by
the United States as "A means Of settlement
of the Chinese trouble. may take form
acceptable to all concerned
May Settle the Eastern Question.
1t would seem entirely possible that the
powers may decide to take advantage of
the gathering in China of such an able
body of experienced orientalists and diplo-
matists to commit to them the task of
reaching a concord which will harmon
iously settle all the differences that have
arisen, not only between China and the
powers. but between the powers themselves
a result of the Boxer uprising.
Mr.. Rockhll will take no staff with him,
relying upon picking up in China such help
as he may need in clerical way. During
his absence in China, which. by the way
he says will not be long, the bureau of
American republics will be under the tenn
porary direction of Secretary Guzman and
Chief Clerk Fox.