Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-07-24
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria dasette.l
Washinoton. Julv "a.

President and the Emperor OF Cnlna
relative to the latter's request that the
United States mediate with the powers
for the restoration OF peace was made
public at the State Department this
morning. The message from the En-
peror follows:
His excellency, the President of the
United states, greeling: China has long
maintained friendly relations with the
United States and ia deeply conscious
that the object Of the United States is
international commerce. Neither coun-
try entertains the least suspicion or dis
trust towards the other. Recent out
breaks of mutual antipathy between
the people aud the Christian Missions
caused the foreign powers to view with
unwarranted suspicion the position OF
the imperial government as favorable to
the people and prejudicisl to the
missions with the result that
the Taku forts were attacked and cap
tured. Consequently there has been
clashing of force with calamitous con
sequences. The situation has become
10 re aud more serious and critical.
We have Just received telegraphic
memorial from our envoy WI Ting
Fang and it is highly gratifying to Us
to learn that the United 5 ates govern
ment, having in view the friendly rela-
tions between the two countries, has
taken deep interest in the present
situation. Now China, driven by the
irresistible course of events, has unfor.
tunately incurred well nigh universal
Indignation. For settling the present
difficulty China places special reliance
ia the United States. We address this
message to your excellency in all sin
cerity and csndidness, with the hope
that your excelency will devise meas
ures and take the initiative 10 bringing
about concert of the powers for the
restoration OF order and peace. The
favor of a kind reply is earnestly re-
uuested aud awaited with the greatest
anxiety. Kwanghsu, Goth year, 9th
moon 23i day July 10, 1900.
To this note the President re-
piled as follows: The President
Of the United States to the
Emperor OF China, greeting; !
have received your Msjesty's mes
sage of the 10Th of July, and am glad
to know that your Majesty recognizes
the fact that the government and peo-
pie of the United States desire of China
nothing but what is just and equitable.
The purpose for which we landed
troops in China was the rescue of our
legation from grave danger, and the
protection of the lives and property Of
Americans who were sojourning in
China in the enjoyment OF rights guar
acted them by treaty aud by interDa-
tioual law. The same purposes are
publicly declared by all the powers
which have landed military forces 10
your Msjesty's empire.
am 10 infer from your Majesty's
letter that the mslefactors who have
disturbed the peace OF China, who have
murdered the Minister Of Germany,
and member of the Japanese legation,
and who now hold besieged in Pekin
those foreign diplomates who still sur
vive, have not only not received any
favor or encouragement from your
Majesty, but are actually 10 rebellion
against the imperial authority. If this
be the case, most solemnly urge upon
Your Majesty's government to give
public assurance whether the foreign
ministers are alive, and, If 80, In what
condition.
2. To put diplomatic representa-
tives OF the powers In immediate and
free communication with their respec,
tive governments and to remove all
danger to their lives and liberty.
8. To place the imperial authorities
OF China in communication with the
relief expedition so that cooperation
may be secured between them for the
liberation of the Legations, the protec-
ton of foreigners and the restoration OF
order.
If these objects are accomplished it
is the belief of this government that no
obstacle will be found 10 exist on the
part of the powers to an amiable settle
ment OF all the questions arising out Of
the recent troubles and the friendly
good Offices OF this government will,
with the assent Of the other powers, be
cheeriully placed at your Majesty's
disposition and purpose.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
July %, 1900.
The language OF the appeal OF the
Chinese Emperor together with the re-
oily OF the President has this morning
been csbled to all American Ambassa.
doris in Europe aud to Minister Bucks
in Japan for communication TO the pow
ers.
1t will be noted that the Presidents
reply is not direct grant of the favor
desired in the petition Of the Emperor,
which was that he should devise means
TO bring about concert OF the powers
for the restoration OF order and peace.
The Pre- sident makes it plain that the
Chinese government itself has much to
do before any Steps can be taken to-
wards mediation or intervention which
can only come after definite aud abso-
lutte Information mas been furnished as
to the condition of the foreign ministers
at Pekin, and effective steps taken to
restore order and protect foreigners
throughout the Empire. The reply Is
similar in effect to that which
was returned by France in response
to the appeal for mediation ad-
dressed to that government. 1t is
differen. from the French response
however, in that it imposes no impossible
conditions bui only such as the Chinese gov
eminent can easily comply with if its pro.
testations by imperial edict and otherwise
have been sincere. The President, like the
French government, puts forward the neces-
sity of free communication with the ministers
at Pekin as Of paramount Importance before
INV act OF mediation can be undertaken. And
then he asks the cooperation of the imperial
authorities with the allied forces in securing
not only the liberty of tho legations but the
protection of foreigners elsewhere than in
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