Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-08-02
A FRIENDLY HAND.
Uncle Sam Will Mediate on Be-
half of China
Imperial Governments Request that
American Statesmen Use Their
Good Offices with European
Powers Is Granted, with
Certain Conditions.

Washington, July 24.-The president
has listened to the appeal of the Chi
neSe government as transmitted
through Minister WI, and has signi.
ned his willingness to mediate be-
tween the Chinese government and
the powers, but only upon conditions
which first must be met by the Chi
nese government.
1t would not, of course, be possible
TO take even the initial steps toward
mediation were either party to the
negotiations to entertain open dis
trust of the accuracy of the state
ments of the other. There must be
confidence between them. The United
States answer does not go to the
length of the French answer to a sim
liar appeal in laying down conditions
which the Chinese government could
not meet, even if so disposed, if it act
ually is struggling for its own exist
ence. 1t does, however, look to the
Immediate relief of the foreign minis
ters in Pekin and TO the protection
of all foreigners, missionaries and
traders n China, and to the reStora-
tion of order. With that much ac-
complished the state department feels
that it can properly approach the
powers with the Chinese propositions
for a settlement for what has oc-
Cured.
Washington, July 25.-The state de-
partment is again in waiting atti-
tude regarding China. 1t has frankly,
promptly and fully answered the Chi
nese emperor's appeal for mediation,
and the correspondence makes it ap-
pear that the next move is for the
Chinese government. 1t is expected
to accept or reject our terms at once,
and in either case the answer must
convey the tidin9s of the state of af-
fairs at Pekin and the welfare Of the
legationers. The belief is not con-
cealed here that the chances for sue
cessful mediation are slight. Media
tion cannot be forced upon a party
to cause: it must be acceptable to
all the parties. If the United States
is to mediate in China's interest she
must first secure the assent of the
powers who have suffered in life or
property at Peliin.
The difficulties in the way Of such
an undertaking are likely to be many
and serious, in view OF the feeling in
Europe. But it is said here that the
United States will undertake the task,
provided it's conditions are met. If it
succeeds in inducing the European
powers to be lenient in their treat
ment of the 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,
however, to let it be understood thai
this government will not allow it's
interests in China to be injured by
the action of any of the powers that
may choose to remain obdurate.
One fact regarded as now beyond
need of further demonstration, in
view of the Chinese appeal, is that the
Chinese officials at the coast ports
are in communication with whatever
remains of the impesial government
at Pekin, and the text of kwang Su's
appeal appears to establish the fact
that the Chinese government itself rs
sanctioning the resistance to the in
ternational advance upon PeJin.
The state department does not eX-
pect Il reply to the presidents answer
until six or eight days have elapsed.
The Chinese appeal is an adroit pro-
duction. The presidents answer is
equally clever and more sincere. The.
president has succeeded in asking for
conditions precedent to mediation
quite as valuable as those laid down.
in Europe. vet he has so tempered his;
requirements as to make them uneX-
ceptionabe to the Chinese govern
ment. At the same time there is
nothing in the note to which the Eu-
ropean chancellories can object. open
ly at least. The president expressly
states that his mediation is subject
to the approval of the powers; he
will not attempt to force it upon Eu-
rope. And the Chinese government
must produce the ministers in safety