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


Washington, July 22.-President Nc
Kinley a received what to
De- a direct appeal from the Chinese
Imperial government to use his good
offices to extricate that government
from the difficult and dangerous posi-
ton in which it has been placed as a
result of the Boxer uprising and the
ensuing hostile attitude of the great
powers.
Although the exact text of the appeal
made by the emperor Of China to
France has not been made known
here, it is believed that the address to
n president is similar in terms to
that communication. The French gov
ernent answerd at once, but that an
swer will not serve America 1t is
tacitly admitted that an error was
made by the powers in the beginning
in not following the common-sense ad-
vice Of the United States ava COM
mander at Taku. The point of differ
ence between the state department and
h European governments is that the
4IIICA - pIONCCdILIS OpOII IIe DtIlcl
that all of the foreign ministers and
missionaries and guards at Pekin have
beeen killed. They insist upon dealing
with n government upon
that basis, thereby assuming a hostile
attitude that tends to destroy the last
chance of availing of whatever friend
iy sentiment may yet exist among the
powerful Chinese viceroys and the inn
per1al government itself. Thu the
HNrQnnh ranlU nc in1inn+oI -, 49, fN--
conditions laid down by M. del Case
yesterday, sets an impossible task for
h imperial government in it's present
straits n tends to drive it at once to
make terms with the Boxers and
Prince Tuan'S party.
On the other hand the American gov
ment, while not guaranteeing the truth
of the advices from the Chinese gov
eminent as to the safety of the foreign
ministers, is willing to accept the
statement temporarily, in the mean
tune rem1ttlng none of it's efforts to
get access to Mr.. Conger through the
use of military force if need be. By
following out this policy the state de-
partment argues that it retains two
chances instead of one. 1t may reach
Mr. COnger with troops and it also
may secure his ~deliverance through the
friendly offices of some of the power
full Chinese officials, which the powers
are not likely to obtain for their own
people by following out their present
policy.
THE PRESIDENTS ANSWER
,-sshington, July 23.-The president
has iStened 10 the appeal of the Chi
neSe government as transmitted
through Minister WI and has signi-
fed his Willingness to mediate between
imperial government and the pow
-rS hIIr only lnnn conditions which
first must be met by the Chinese de-
partment.
The exact nature of tn terms pro-
posed by the state department cannot
be stated until tomorrow, when publi-
cation Will be made of the text of the
Chinese appeal and of the presidents
answer. 1t is known. however, that
ms answer is entirely consistent with
the statement of principles laid down
by Secretary Hay in his note TO the
powers and, moreover, it accepts as
truthful the statement relative to the
safety of the foreign ministers at Pc
kin.
to take even initial steps toward medi-
alton We're either party to the nego-
tiatiOnS to entertain openly diStruSt
of the of the statements OF
the Others. There must be confidence
them.
Inc UnlUeu States Toes not go 10 The
length of the French answer to a sim
liar appeal in laying down conditions
which the Chinese government could
not meet, ever if SO disposed, if it &C
tually is struggling for its existence.
It does, however, look to the immediate
relief of the foreign ministers in Pekin,
and moreover to the protection of alb
foreigners, missionaries and traders
in China, and to the restoration of or
der With that much ACCOMPLISHED,
the state department feels that it can
properly approach the powers with
the Chinese proposition for a settle
ment for what has occurred.
The Chinese appeal came to Secretary
Hay yesterday through Mr.. WI. The
secretary promptly t~elegraphed it to
the president ait Canton and after TAX
ing a full day for its consideration, the
presidents answer came this afternoon
TO the state department. It was put in
the proper diplomatic form and a copy
delivered to Minister WI, who is TO
forward it to his own government.
The imperial edict, made public to-
day at the state department., shows
that the Imperial government already
has taken the first steps toward doing
what the United States government
requires dS the principal condition for
the exercise of its good offices. in en-
joining the vicerOys, magistrates and
leading men TO stop the disorders and
will await the result OF this before
proceeding further.
NO EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT BE-
LIEVES IN THE CONGER
MESSAGE.
It is expected that adverse criticism
upon the action of the state depart
ment in this matter will be heard from