Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-09
Phrase in the Note of the State
Department,
MUST STOP ATTACKS ON LEGATIONS
Probable Result Of China's Failure
to Comply.
PROGRESSED EXPECTATION

I've demand the immediate cessation OF
hostile attack by imperial troops upon the
legations" etc.
This statement in the communication l,y
our State Department to the Chinese i'm
perial government through Minister WI
which stands without qualifications In the
dispatch, has the quality OF an ultimatum.
lhe demand is not conditioned upon any
thing, and the word Immediate describes
the time within which the demand must be
complied with. While the communication
employs the calm expressions Of expert
enced diplomacy and the real yieor OF IL is
at first glance concealed in formality Of
verbiage, this demand is made explicitly,
and stands out boldly from the suggestions
made in the communication wherein GER
tain action on the part OF the Chinese gov-
ernment is mercy urged"
A Marked Distinctfon.
1t is demanded" that the imperial troops
cease firing: IT is urged that the govern
ment exert its power to protect the for
eigners from attacks by others. The dis
tinction here is marked, and leaves no pos
sibility Of misunderstanding on the part of
the Chinese government as to what is
meant. The communication does not de-
mand" but urges" the Chinese govern
ment to enter into communication with the
relief expedition. so that cooperation may
be secured between them for the liberia
ton of the legations, but this suggestion Is
reinforced by the sentence which follows.
declaring that such action would be a sat
isfactory demonstration OF the friendliness
of the Chinese government. This is
cepted diplomatic form of declaring that
failure to do this would be a demonstra-
tion of unfriendliness.
The demand is in definite and unqualified
language; that which is urged suggests
which
be converted into a peaceful, rather
than hostile operation
Failure to Comply On China's Part.
failure upon the part Of China to COM
ply with the demand, which is immediate
and imperative will. according to interna-
tional usage. put an end to all negotia-
ton and temporizing, and render impera-
tive vigorous and forceful action on the
part of the government making the de-
mand Such demand is of necessity an
li:imatun.
1t may be accepted as certain that II
China does not Immediately comply with
this demand due allowance being made Tor
the difficulties OF communication, Congress
will be called together. not necessarily
with the view of declaring war against
China, but for the purpose OF providing
means for the liberation OF our minister.
Until it is known what attitude the Chi
nese government will assume on receipt of
this communication the necessity for call
ing Congress together cannot be deter
mined.
May BE No Declaration of War.
Even I'm an extremity a declaration OF
war against China will be avoided and de-
layed as long as possible, and the belief is
still entertained that the situation can be
dealt with by the use Of force without
formal declaration of war. The desire Of
this government is to secure the liberia
lion of the foreigners and thtn to retire
from China but whether this shall be pos
sble will depend upon the course OF the
Chinese government itself The professed
expectation is that the Chinese government
will comply with our demand, and II Is
difficult to realize the possibility of the
Chinese rulers being so reckless or the
welfare of their own government as TO
compel hostilites by refusing to comply
with a demand SO obviously Imperative.