The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-24
THE PRESIDENT
IS APPEALED TO
May Mediate Between
Chinese and Powers.
RELIEF OF MINISTER'S
This One of Conditions of the Presi-
dents Compliance.
AN IMPERIAL EDICT ISSUED,
Enjoins the Magistrates and Leading
Men To Stop Disorder and Protect
Forci.ncrs-Thc European
Governments Have No
Faith in Safety Of
Ministers.
AN IMPERIAL EDICT ISSUED.
CRv Associated Press.l

WASHINGTON, July 2%S.-Tho President
has listened 10 the appeal OF the Chimes,
as transmitted through Minister WI, and
mas signlfed his Willingness to mediate be
tween The Imperl4 government and the
Powers. but upon conditions which first
must be met by the Chinese Department.
The exact nature OF the terms proposed by
the State Department cannot be stated
F!ntil to--norrow, when publication viii be
made Of the text Of the Chinese appeal
and the Presidents answer. 1t is known,
however that the answer is entirely con-
sistsut with the statement OF principles
laid down hy Secretary Hay in his note
10 the Powers, and. moreover, Il accepts
as truthful the statement relative 10 the
safety Of the foreign ministers at Pekin.
IMPERATIVE CONDITION.
1t could NOT OF course. be possible to
take even initial steps toward mediation
Were either party to the negotiations to
entertain openly distrust Of the accuracy
OF the statements OF the other. There
must be confidence between them. The
United States does not so 10 the extent of
the French answer 10 q similar appeal IN
laying down conditions which the Chinese
government could not me5t, even is SO dis
posed if it actually is struggling for its
t'A.SstAGt' Il tl''C-, iitN'NS4 ''C'N ~ ''-C
immediate relief Of the foreign ministers in
Peiln, and, moreover, TO the protection Of
all foreigners. missionaries and traders IN
China; to he restoration OF order With
that much accomplished the State Depart
1nent feels that it can properly approach
the Powers with the Chinese proposition
Tor a settlement for what has occurred.
The Chinese appeal came to Secretary
Hay yesterday through Minister Wa. The
Secretary promptly telegraphed il 10 the
president at Canton, and after taking a
1ull day for its consideration. the Pres
idaut's answer came this evening 10 the
State Department. Il was put in the
g,roper diplomatic form ami a copy de-
livered u Minister Wu, who is 10 forward
Ii to his own government
IMPERIAL EDICT.
The Imperial edicr made public to-day
rat the State Department shows that the
Imperial Government already has taken
The first steps toward doing what the
United States Government requires as the
principal condition required by the United
Stats, in enio.ujng the magistrates and
leading men 10 stop disorder and protect
foreigners. Our government will await
the results OF this before proceeding fur
1heT.
II is said that adverse criticism upon the
State Department Will be heard from
Europe where the governments are acting
upon the belief that all OF the foreign
ministers in PelIin have perished, but our
Government. nevertheless, regards its
course as the correct one. All OF the
European powers have taken the stand
above indicated. The last OF the answers
40 Secretary Hays note recitins the Con-
ger message have come and all OF them,
in terms polite and diplomatic, express
utter incredulity in the authenticity OF the
message.
,,-,r>-,>r, c,T,rc.-- r,I-T TI@y-T\C. TT
Consul General Goodnow, himself a man
of good Judgment, also cabled a warning to
Secretary Hay against the acceptance OF
:he message without confirmation. But the
State Department has fully considered me
message in all of its aspects, has carefully
weighed the numerous objections ana Sus-
piciens put forth here and in Europe. anu
without guaranteeing the authenticity OF
the message feels 1t 10 be a matter of
prime duty TO act upon the theory that 1t
is eer.uine
Admiral Remey's notification to the Navy
Department that he had gone in person up
the Pei Iio River from Taazu TO Tlen ism,
IS attributed TO the receipt by him OF sec
yetary Longs urgent message 10 hasten
the efforts TO get 10 PelIin, and important
news from him is expected soon.
The War Department. it appears, under
estimated the time that would be required
for the Grant TO arrive at Nagasaki. she
sailed on the first instant, so that she is
not yet quite due at that point with Cen
erai Chaffee.
The Goodnow cablegram reciting the mes
sage from Prince Tuan as vouchng Tor
the safety OF the foreign ministers on July
lSth. caused a ripple of excitement for a
time al the State Department, but the ON
c!als soon concluded from the context ana
other circumstances surrounding the mes
sage that Yuan was meant instead OF
Tuan. so that the message lost the FaIue
st would have had il ii had come from 'he
redoubtable Boxer leader.