New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-24
PRESIDENTS REPLY SENT TO CHINA.
CONDITIONS OF MEDIATION TO BE MADE
KNOWN TO-DAY
By The Associated Press)

CBy The Associated Press)
Washington. July 23.-The President has Iis-
tened 20 the appeal of the Chinese Governments
transmitted by Minister WI. and has signihed
his willingness TO mediate between the Imperial
Government and the Powers but only on condi-
tions which first must be met by the Chinese
Government
The exact nature of the terms proposed by the
State Department cannot be given until to-rnor-
row, when it Is expected that the text OF the
Chinese appeal and the Presidents answer will
be made public. 1t is Known, however. that the
answer is entirely consistent with the statement
of principles laid down by Secretary Hay in his
identical note to the Powers. and that it accepts
as truthful the Chinese statements relative TO
the safety of the foreign Ministers in Pekng
1t would not, of course be possible to take
even the first steps toward mediation were
either party to the negotiations openly TO en-
teTtain distrust OF the accuracy of the state
ments OF the other. There must be confidence
between them. The answer of the United states
does not go TO the length Of the French answer
to similar appeal in laying down conditions
which the Chinese Government could not meet.
even If so disposed. if it actually is struggling
for it's own existence. 1t does. however. look to
the immediate relief OF the foreign Ministers in
Pekfng and to the protection OF all foreigners.
missionaries and traders in China. and the
restoration of order. With much accom-
plished the State Department feels that it can
properly approach the Powers with the Chinese
proposition for a settlement Of what has oc-
Cured.
The Chinese appeal came to Secretary Hay
yesterday through Mr.. WI. The Secretary
promptly teegraphed it TO the President at
Canton and after taking full day for con-
slderation, the Presidents answer came this af-
ternOon to the State Department It was put in
the proper diplomatic form and a copy was de-
livered to Minister Wu. who was TO forward It
to his own Government.
FIRST STEPS TAKEN BY CHINA
The Imperial edict made public to-day at the
State Department shows that the Chinese Gov
ernment already has taken the first steps
toward doing what the United States requires
as the principal condition for the exercise OF it's
good offices, in enjoining the ViCeroys, magis-
trates and leading men TO stop the disorders
and protect foreigners The Government will
await the result Of this edict before proceeding
further
1t is expected that adverse criticism on the
action of the State Department IN this matter
will be heard from Europe. where the Govern
nents are acting the belief that all the for
eign Ministers in Peking have perished, but this
Government nevertheless regards its course as
the correct one. All the European Powers have
taken the stand above indicated The last OF
the answers to Secretary Hays note reciting
the Conger message have come, and all OF them.
in terms polite and diplomatic. express utter IN
credulity in the authenticity of the message
ConsuI-CeneraI Goodlow himself a man OF
good Judgment also sent a warning to Secre-
tary Hay against the acceptance of the message
without confirmation. But the State Department
has fully considered the message in all its as
poets. has carefully weighed the numerous OBJ
jections and suspicious put forth here and in
Europe and without guaranteeing the authen-
ticity of the message feels it 10 be a matter OF
duty to act on the theory that it is genuine.
FROM PRINCE TUAN OR YUAN?
The state Department to-day received cable
dispatch from ConsuI-GeneraI Coodnow. at
Shanghai, dated to-day, saying that Prince
Tuan telegraphs that officer of the Tsung-H-
Yarnen saw all the Ministers on the 18th; that
were injured and that attack az
that time being made He does not say 70
whom the dispatch was addressed. and IL Is
somewhat at variance with the dispatch Of AIr.
Conger, describing the Legation as being under
fire at that time.
After mature consideration the officials OF the
State Department have come 10 the conclusion
that by a teleSraphic error the name OF the in
fOrmaut Of COnsul-Cfeneral CiOCdnow has been
turned into "Tuan" from Yuan The latter is
Yuan Shih Kai the Governor OF the Province OF
Shan-Tung. He always has maintained an atti-
tude or neutrality, and even has leaned toward
positive friendship for the foreigners. He has
from the first divided with Sheng the Director
or Posts and TeeSraphS at shanghai, the dis
tinctiCn Of being the only means of cOmmunica-
tion between Peking and the outside world
Therefore il Is extremely probable that he has
acted in the same capacity in this instance. On
the other hand. IL this dispatch really comes
from Prince Tuan, the fact would b. OF great
significance. In the opinion of the officials here
il would indicate that this official either has
been grossly H,isrepFesented as TO his anti-for-
eign tendencies that Ec Is seeking to escape
responsibility fer the outrages on foreisners-an