The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-30
WI EXPRESSED HIS APPROVAL
OF LIS SUGGESTION or THE UNITED
STATES AS MEDIATOR.
Authority or Requests for nm
American Initiative.

Washington. September 99.-The Chinese
minister today expressed his strong APP
proval of the suggestion by Ii Hung Chang
that the United States act as mediator for
the settlement of the entire Chinese ques-
ton. The minister was much gratihed a.
the favorable character OF the advices
from China, particularly the reference Ct
Earl Ii to his constant communication
with Minister WI and specific reference
OF the Chinese envoy in favor OF the United
States as mediator
Mr.. WI has from the FIRST urged that
the United States should take leading
part in the peace settlement and 1t is
probably due to this position that Earl Ii
Hung Chang now takes the advanced po-
sitlcn in favor OF the United States as
mediator. Since the suggestion has come
from such high source the minister eN-
presses his confidence of being able to
secure any authority or requests for an
American initiative which may be need
full
In speaking Of the matter today Mr.. Wa
pointed out that while all the powers
had taken position against the partition
OF China, yet conditions might arise where
any one power would deem 1t expeiient to
occupy territory. thus leading other pow
ers to take similar course and bringing
on general move toward a partition OF
the empire. He feels that 1t Is essential
to prevent such contingency and that
the United States is in the best position
to guard against such result. Should It
occur the ministers feel that the open
door and open ports which now, invite
the commerce of this country would give
place to the practical closure OF China.
He holds, therefore, that action by his
government would be not only in the in
terest OF China and all concerned, but
particularly In the United States own IN
terest and for the preservation and sale
guarding of our avenues OF trade in the
orient e view Of Earl Ii and Minister
WI in favor % American mediation Is in
no way inspired by the desires OF this
government but is re entirely to their
own view OF how the situation should be
dealt with.
I Referring 10 the return OF the impcriij
Chinese government 10 Pekin Mr. WI
says 1t is a difficult undertaking SO long
as there is an armed force at Pelin. II
might be met, he says by reducing tn
several forces as the American force has
been reduced, but even then the eggre-
gate force would be so large that the
imperial establishment could not feel
! warranted in returning
In the circumstances the ministers say
assurance from the powers that the Inn
periaf government would he protected
probably would be the most effective
/ n cans Of bringing about a re-establlsh-
\ ment of the Chinese administration al
! Pekin.
4 Minister WI has-been notified that the
viceroys of China. including Li Hung
I Chang and the viceroys Of Nankln, W.
| Chang and tho other southern and cen
trial provinces, have united in memo
/ rial to the throne asking that those re-
sponsible for the present uprising br pnr-
ished. The minister has not yet received
the text Of the memorial and does not
know whether It designat2s by ramc
these who should he punished. IL Is a.
cepted, however, as an eviieu,e OF th'
position OF tho most inflneadal ruers II
! China in favor OF the punishment OF tAcs'
| cnncernod in thCy pragelt tTouDlee,