The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-27

washington. July 24.-The state de-
partment is again in a waiting atti-
tude regarding China 1t has frank
~, promptly and fully answered the
Chinese emperor's appeal for media
ton, and the correspondence, given
publicity today, makes ii appear that
the next move is for the Chinese gov
ernment.. 1t is expected to accept or
reject our terms at once and in either
case the answer must convey tidings
of the state of affairs in Pekin and
the welfare of the Legations.
The belief is not concealed here that
the chances for successful mediation
are slight. Mediation cannot be forced
upon a party to a cause; ii must be
acceptable TO all the parties. If the
United States is to mediate in .China's
interests she must first secure the as
sent or all the powers who have suffer-
ed in life or property at Pekin.
Inc in the way of such
an undertaking are likely to be many
and serious, in view of the exhibition
OF feeling in Europe; but it is said here
that the United States will cheerfully
undertake the task provided its condi-
IN IL IL oOCo loI succeed
In inducing h European powers to be
IenIent in their treatment of the i'm
perIal government of China, the United
States government will not be drawn
into further hOStilitieS after we have
taken care of our own affairs but We
will withdraw, taking care, however,
To let 1t be understood that this govern
ment will not allow it's proper interests
in hin to be injured by the action
or any of the powers that may choose
TO remain obdurate.
SUSPICIOUS AGAINST ONE OF
H POWERS.
At least one of the greatest Of the
powers is under strong suspicion here
of acting cold-blOodedly and without
regard to sentiment or anything more
than most material of considerations.
Il is believed here that this power is
quietly taking measures to drop out of
the league at Tien Tsin and conduct
a campaign of its own account against
Pekin, and it is even suspected that
this power is already moving troops
toward the Chinese capital.
One fac regarded as now beyond
need of further demonstration, in view
of the Chinese appeal, is that the Chi
neSe officials at the coast ports are &C
tuatly in communication with whatey-
er remains of the imperial government
at Pekin, and the text of Kwang Hsu's
appeal appears ~ SSldUlPSH Ule IdCl
that the Chinese government itself is
sanctioning the resistance to an inter
national advance upon Pekin.
The state department and the Chi
neSe legation substantially agree in
the estimate of six to eight days as
the time necessary to get a reply to
the presidents answer to the appeal
OF the Chinese government. Accord
ing to the best information here urgent
messages are being transmitted be-
tween Pekin and Shanghai by the
flying express" mentioned in Consul
FOwler's cablegram a few days ago.
his. according to the Chinese, is a
relay system of mounted messengers
similar to the old pOney express across
the plains and is used when the wire
communicated is interrupted. The re-
hay riders make about 200 miles a lay.
1t is 4OG miles from Shanghai to Pekin
and his seems to agree very well with
the speed made in forwarding n re-
turning the COnger message.
Assuming from Sheng'S dispatch that
a movement was on foot on the 18th
TO get the foreign ministers started
from Pekin to Tien Tsin under escort
of imperial troops, the state depart
ment would not be surprised TO get
definite news of them from the head
quarters of the allied forces in a short
time. The distance from Tien Tsin
TO Pekin is seventy-five miles and at
this season the trip is usually made by
road from Pekin to Tong Choo, a point
on the Pei Ho, twelve miles below the
capital. and the remainder of the way
by boat This trip now would take
four days, supposing h escort of inn
perial troops met with no resistance
from the insurgents. If the move
from Pekin was made within two days
after Sheng's information was recelv-
ed it would be possible that the lega-
rions and their escort are now in u
with the headquarters of the allies, al
ways s~upposing that nothing serious
happened to the party on the road.
nIIINIlyn AnnrA