The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-07-25
PRESIDENT WILLING
TO TRY MEDIATION.
Upon Conditions That Must
be met by China.

aSnlnStOn, Juty 20 Ano P'oo'
dent has listened to the appeal OF the
Chinese government as transmitted
through Minister WI and has
signi6ed his willingness to medi-
ate between the imperial gov
ernment and the powers, but only
upon the conditions which first must
be met by the Chinese government.
The exact nature of the terms pro-
posed by the state department cannot
be stated until tomorrow, when pub.
lication will be made of the Chinese
appeal and the presidents answer.
It is known, however, that the an.
ever is entirely consistent with the
statement Of principles laid down BY
Secretary Hay in bis identical note
to the powers and moreover it ac-
cepts as truthful the Chinese state
ments relative to the safety OF the
foreign ministers at Pekin.
1t would not, of course, be possl-
BILE to take even the initial steps to.
ward mediation were either party to
the negotiations TO entertain openly
distrust of the accuracy of the state
ments of the other. There must be
confidence between them.
The United States answer does
not 20 to the length of the French
answer to similar appeal in laying
down conditions which the Chinese
government could not meet, even if
80 disposed, if it actually is strug.
Cling for its own existence. 1t does.
however, look to the immediate re
lief of the foreign ministers in Pekin.
and moreover to the protection of all
foreigners, missionaries and traders
in China, and to the restoration OF
order. With that much accomplish
ed the state department feels that it
can properly approach the powers
with the Chinese propositions for q
settlement for what has occurred.
The Chinese appeal came TO Secre.
tary Hay yesterday through Mr.. WI
The secretary promptly telegraphed
it to the president at Canton and after
taking full day for its considera-
ton, the presidents answer came
this afternoon to the state depart
ment 1t was put in proper diplo-
matte form and copy delivered to
Minister WI, who is to forward it to
his own government
The imperial edict made pub
lie today at the state department
shows that the imperial government
already has taken the fret steps
toward doing what the United States
government requires as the principal
condition for the exercise of its good
Offices, in enjoining the viceroys,
magistrates and leading men to stop
the disorders end protect foreigners
Our government will await the result
of this before proceeding further
EUROPE STILL INCREDULOUS
It's expected that adverse criti
cism upon the action of the state
department in this matter will be
heard from Europe where the govern
ments are acting upon the belief that
ell of the foreign ministers in PekIn
have perished, but our government
nevertheless regards it's course as the
correct one. All of the European
governments have taken the stand
above indicated The last of the
answers to Secretary Hays note
reciting the CoDger message have
come and all of them, in terms polite
and diplomatic. express utter incred
uIity OF the authenticity of the Con
ger message Consul General Good
now himself, a man of good judg
ment, also cabled a warning to Sec
retary Hay against the acceptance OF
the message without confirmation
But the state department has fully
considered the message in all of its
aspects, has carefully weighed the
numerous objections and suspicions
put forth ID Europe and here, and
without guaranteeing the autbenti
city of the message, teels it to be a
matter of prime duty to act upon the
theory that it is genuine
MOVEMENTS OF OUR FORCES
Admiral Remey's notification (of
date the 22d inst) to the navy depart.
ment. that he had gone in person up
the Pei Ho from Taku to Tien Tsin,
is attributed to the receipt by him of
Secretary Longs urgent message
to hasten the efforts to get to Pekin.
and important news from him is ex.
pected soon.
The war department, it appears.
underestimated the time that would
be required for the Grant to arrive at
Nagasaki. She sailed on the 1st inst,
80 that she is not yet quite due at
| xho, Mint NTH Gon Ghofao