The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-23
Circulation Statement.
The Answer to LIS Appeal.

The State Department this morning
made public the two appeals Of Ii Hung
Chang for suspension of hostilities and
the appointment of an American leace
commissioner. which have recently been
transmitted to this Government through
the Chinese Legation in Washington, and,
also the answer of the Acting Secretary
of State 10 the same.
In his latest message Earl Ii, with I'M
conscious humor. asserts that, now the
Boxer rebels" in Pekin have been put
down, there will positively be no more
fighting, and asks Minister WI at once to
urge the United States TO grant a truce,
to negotiate for peace, and to arrange for
the immediate withdrawal of its troops
from China.
The answer of the State Department to
this characteristic manifestation Of Oriental
nerve is in the shape of memorandum,
the substance OF which has been discount
ed in our forecasts of the matter printed
yesterday and this morning The docu-
ment is short and very much to the point.
bt reads as follows:
"While the condition set forth in the memo
fanGum delivered to the Chinese Minister Au-
gust T. has not been fulfilled. and the powers
nave bGtn Co!itIttQ rescue iHtiI ministers IN
force Of arms, unaided by the Chinese Govern
ment, still thiZ Government l. ready TO welcome
any oyertures for truce. and invite the other
powers TO Join, when security IS established in
the Chinese capital and the Chinese Government
shows its ability and willingness 10 make its
part an effective suspension Of hostilltles there
md elsewhere IN China When this is done-and
we hope 1t Will be done prompIiy-the United
states viii be prepared TO appoint representative
Join with the representatives Of the other sim
iiarly situated powers, and OF The authoritative
and responsible Government Of the Chinese En-
Pire to attain the ends declared in our circular
10 the powers OF July }, 1909"
1t Will be seen that the language OF the
memorandum clearly places upon China
the fullest responsibility for continuance
of the war, md conveys strict notice that
the Imperial authorities must place them
selves in communication with the invading
powers if they expect to receive recog-
milton or mercy. Should the Empress
DoWager decline to come out OF hiding
and ignore the demands of the c.vilized
states that she restore order in the En-
pire, and sue for peace. she ought to know,
and Ii Hung Chang must that the pow
FRS viii not wait great while before de
claring her deposition, and setting up q
new ruler and government in Pskin. Ger
many has answered the latest appeal from
China with the declaration that negotia-
tiOns are impossible, as there does not
appear 10 be any responsible authority on
the part Of the Chinese capable OF enter
ing into a binding engagement The 9TH
er foreign offices will doubtless take
Identical action.
Altogether il looks 2s If Western dipIO-
macy had rounded up the Chinese, and
left them to set out of their present pre-
aicament as best they may. In the mean
time the occupation OF Pekin promises to
be a long one and there is no reason to
doubt that punitive operations Will be con-
Quoted by the allies until the Chinese Gov
eminent has been whipped into submis,
sion. The forces Of the United States may
not cooperate in such movements, but
they Will be prosecuted in any case BY
Germany and Russia, and probably by
France. Great Britain and Japan may be
affected in their war policies by whateve1
attitude this country shall assume Within
the next few days these matters are like,
iy 10 develop. and further complications OF
interest and policy may result among the
powers.
There is one point in the reply of the
State Department TO Ii Hung Chang
which is worthy of particular notice When |
Acting Secretary Adee writes that. not |
withstanding past perfdy, when the Chi |
nese Government does what is requir- |
ed OF it, this Government will be ready |
TO welcome ANY overtures for a truce"
As distinct recognition of state OF |
war, because, a truce can only be the pro-
duct OF a state of war, we commend this |
language TO the eminent gentlemen who |
are participating in the invasion and SUBJ |
jugatien of foreign country, solely as an |
executive measure, and without authority |
from Congress.
An Anti-ENpansion Gru,nbIer