Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-08
Mr.. Conser'. Latest Report.

Minister Congers latest dispatch stating
that IL would mean certain death for the
ministers to leave Pekin brings the reia-
tons between the United States and China
one stage closer to the breaking point.
War is brought near indeed by this decla-
ration. which amply justifes the presence
of our troops on Chinese soil and suggests
the need of additional forces.
This dispatch is very important item in
the record. For a time this government
was approached by various representatives
of China with a proposition to check the
International advance provided the min
listers We're safely sent to the coast. The
United States declined to negotiate on this
basis and demanded the right to communi-
cate freely with Minister Conger to ascer-
tain his Judgment as to the situation. Mr..
Conger has now stated his opinion, thor
oughly justifying the refusal of the gov
eminent to enter into a bargain to save
the ministers at the cost of a halt in the
advance.
In the light of Mr.. Conger's dispatch our
troops are on the ground in execution of an
entirely legitimate errand, to rescue him
and his prOteges from a fate from which
the Chinese government Is either unwilling
or unable to shield them If China chooses
now. in the light of this message from
Pekin. 10 regard the advance as an act of
war. well and good. 1t has already pre-
tended to possess the power to safeguard
the ministers out of the capital and in the
Judgment of Mr.. Conger it does not possess
that power. or is disinclined to utilize it.
II has been suggested that under the cir
CumStances it is unavoidable that Congress
he called together in extra session in order
to declare war formally on China and to
provide the necessary extra troops. The
first of the suggested purposes Of an extra
session is not imperative We can. if We
IND it to our advantage to do So continue
70 insist that our troops are on the way to
Pckln solely to rescue our minister and
thus throw upon China the entire response
blIity of causing and declaring a state of
actual war But it is important that this
government be given additional military
resources to sustain itself In the crisis, and
To this end 1t may be necessary that the
houses be summoned to provide for a call
for troops and to give formal sanction to
the executive authority in the premises,
whether China herself declares war or not.
1t Is inevitable that the crisis should be
reached in the situation within a few days.
Mr. COngrrs message has been followed by
sharp representations by this government to
China. through her most available authori-
ties that It considers her actions as UNI
friendly and demands that the Pekin au-
thorities cooperate with the relief column.
China. if still following the policy of war.
must then avowedly place her imperial
troops In the field. as such, 20 oppose the
international advance. 1t will then be fol
US to determine what steps We shall take to
increase our army on the ground. whether
by Withdrawals from the Philippines by
the organization Of new volunteer force
under the authority of Congress. If China
does not at once change her policy, the i'm
mediate summoning OF a special session OF
Congress will be inevitable.