Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-07-30

Washington, July 25.-The state de-
partment is again in waiting attl-
tude toward China. 1t has frankly,
promptly and fully answered the
Chinese emperor's appeal for media
ton and the correspondence given
publicity makes it appear the next
move is for the Chinese government.
It is expected to accept or to reject
terms at once; in either case the an
swer must convey tidings of the state
of affairs at Pekin and the welfare OF
the legationers. The belief is not
concealed, here that the chances for
successful mediation are slight. Diff
ficulties in the way of such an under
taking are likely to be many and
serious, in view of the exhibition OF
feeling in Europe. But it is said the
United States will cheerfully under
take the task, provided it's conditions
are met. At least one of the greatest
powers is under strong suspicion here
of acting cold bloodedly without re-
gard to sentiment or anything more
than the most material of cOnSidera-
tions. It is believed here that this
power is quietly taking measures to
drop out of the league at Tientsin and
conduct campaign on its own ac-
count against Pekin and it is even sus-
pected that this power is already NOV
ing troops toward the Chinese capital.
One fact is regarded as now beyond
need of further demonstration, in view
of the Chinese appeal. 1t is that the
Chinese officials at 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 is
itself sanctioning resistance to the in
ternational advance upon Pekin. The
state department and Chinese legation
substantially agree in the estimate Of
six to eight days as the time necessary
to get areply to the presidents answer
to the appeal of the Chinese govern
ment. According to best information
here, urgent messages are being trans
mitted between Pekin and Shanghai
by the flying express, mentioned in
Consul Fowler's cablegram a few days
ago. This is relay system of mount
ed messengers, similar to the old pony
service across the plains and is used
when wire communication is inter-
rupted. Relay riders make about 200
miles a day. 1t is 400 miles from
Shanghai to Pekin and this seems to
agree very well with the speed made
in forwarding and returning the Con-
ger message. Assuming from Sheng's
dispatch that movement is on foot
to get the foreign ministers started
from Pekin to Tientsin under an es-
cort of imperial troops, the state de-
partment would not be surprised to
get definite news of them from the
headquarters of the allied forces in a
short time.
McKinley's Advice
Washington, July 25.-The Chinese
minister yesterday received a tele-
gram from Sheng, the director of rail-
ways and telegraphs at Shanghai,
stating that the foreign ministers are
to be sent from Pekin to Tientsin
under escort. The telegram further
states that the government has not
only been protecting them, but has
been supplying them with food.
The president, after considering the
appeal of the Chinese government,
has signifed his willingness to medi-
ate between China and the powers. but
only upon conditions which first must
be met by the Chinese government
The emperor is also assured that the
United States, far from itself making
war upon China, will exert itself to
the utmost to prevent such war being
made by the European nations. At
the same time it is plainly pointed out
to the Chinese government that as
long as the ambassadors of the nations
at Pekin are unable to communicate
with their governments, and their per-
sonal safety is the cause of anxiety
throughout the world. it must be ex-
pected that the powers will prepare to
send military forces to the Chinese
capital to rescue their citizens.
President Mckinley suggests to the
emperor that the best step which
China can take toward securing peace
with the powers would be to deliver
Minister Conger and the other diplo-
mats aboard ships of their respective
governments at Taku or some other
convenient port. There is a strong
hope in official circles here that this
will be done, and that within few
days the heart of the civilized world
will be gladdened by news of the arri-
val at Tientsin of the men, women and
children, the mystery OF whose fate
has stirred all Christendom during the