Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-07-26
THE PRESIDENTS MEDIATION.
Ministers Must First BE Produced In
Safety by Chinese Government.

Ministers Must First BE Produced In
Safety by Chinese Government.
Washington, July 25.-The state de-
partment is again in a waiting attitude
regarding China. 1t has frankly,
promptly and fully answered the Chi
nese emperor's appeal for mediation,
and the next move is for the Chinese
government. 1t is expected to accept
or reject our terms at once, and i'll
either case the answer must convey
tidings Of the state of affairs at Pekin
and the welfare of the legationers.
Furthermore, the Chinese government
must produce the ministers in safety
before the president will act, and the
president expressly declares that his
mediation must be subject to the ap-
proval of the powers.
The belief is not concealed here that
the chances for successful mediation
is slight. Mediation cannot be forced
upon party to cause; 1t must be ac-
ceptable to all the parties. IL the
United States is to mediate in China's
interest she must first secure the as
sent of all the powers who have suf-
fered in. life or property at Pekin. The
ulACuIlItS III IIt way VI SuSii oAA I'll
dertaking 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 condl-
tions are met If it does not succeed
in inducing the European powers to
be lenient in their treatment of the
imperial 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, how
ever, to let it be understood that this
government will not allow its proper
interests in China to be injured by the
action of any of the powers that may
choose to remain obdurate.
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 the most material of considera-
tions. 1t is believed here that this
power is quietly taking measures to
drop out of the league at Tien Tsin
and conduct campaign on its own
account against Pekin, and it is even
suspected that this power is already
moving troops toward the Chinese
capital.
One fact 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
actually in communication with what
ever remains of the imperial govern
ment at Pekin, and the text of Kwang
Su's appeal appears to establish the
fact that the Chinese government it
self is sanctioning the resistance to the
international 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 According to
the Lest information here urgent mes
sages are being transmitted between
Pekin and Shanghai by the flying
express" This, according to the Chi
nese, is a relay Of mounted messengers
similar to the old pony express across
the plains, and is used when the wire
communication is interrupted.
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 headquar-
ters of the allied forces in a short
time The distance from Tien Tsin
to Pekin is 75 miles, and at this season
the trip should be made in four days,
supposing the escort OF imperial troops
met with no resistance from the in
surgents.
Secretary Root said yesterday that
ne supposed the Fourteenth infantry
had arrived at Taku, and by the end
of this month the United States would
have 5000 troops in China.