Evening journal., 1900-07-24
American Officials Believe
Ministers Are Safe
EUROPEANS SCOUT THE IDEA
Boxers Put Up InlammatOry Posters
and Arouse the Religious Fanati-
ciSm Of Natives

Washington. Juy 24.-The president
has listened to the appeal of the Chi
nese government as transmitted
through Minister WI, and has signiied
his willingness to mediate between
the imperial government and the pow
ers, but only upon conditions which
first must be met by the Chinese gov
ernment The exact nature of the
terms proposed by the state depart
ment cannot be stated until this even
ing, when it is expected that publica-
tion will be made OF the text of the
Chinese appeal and of the presidents
answer. 1t is known. however, that
the answer is entirely consistent with
the statement of principles laid down
by Secretary Hay in his identical note
to the powers, and moreover it accepts
as truthful the Chinese statements rel
ative to the safety OF the foreign min
listers at Pekin.
The United States answer does not
80 to the length of the French answer
TO a similar appeal.in laying down con-
ditions which the Chinese government
could not meet, even if Sc disposed, If
it actually is struggling for its own
existence. r does however, look to
the immediate relief of the foreign
ministers in Pekin. and moreover TO
the protection of all foreigners, mis-
sionaries and traders in China, and to
the restoration OF order With that
much accomplished, the state depart
ment feels that it can properly ap-
proach the powers with the Chinese
propositions for settlement for what
has occurred. The Chinese appeal came
10 Secretary Hay Sunday through Mr..
WI. The secretary promptly tele-
graphed it to the president at Canton,
and after taking a full day for its con-
sideration the presidents answer came
yesterday afternoon.
The imperial edict made public yes
terday at the state department shows
that the imperial government already
has taken the first steps toward doing
what the United States government
requires as the principal condition for
the exercise of its good Offices, in en-
joining the viceroys, magistrates and
leading men to stop the disorders and
protect foreigners. Our government
will await the result of this before pro-
ceeding further. 1t is expected that
adverse criticism upon the action OF
the state department in this matter
will he heard from Europe, where the
governments are acting upon the belief
that all Of the foreign ministers in
Pekin have perished, but our govern
ment nevertheless regards its course as
the correct one.
All Of the European governments
have answered Secretary Hays note
reciting the Conger message. and all Of
them. in terms polite and diplomatic,
express utter incredulity in the au-
thenticity of the Conger message. Con-
sui General Goodnow. himself a man
Of good Judgment, also cabled a warn
ing to Secretary Hay against the ac-
ceptance of the message without con-
firmation. But the state department
has fully considered the message in all
of its aspects, has carefully weighed
the numerous objections and suspicious
nut forth here and in Europe, and with
out guaranteeing the authenticity of
the message feels it to be matter of
prime duty to act upon the theory that
it is genuine.
The dispatch from Mr.. Goodnow, con-
sui general at Shanghai, dated yester-
day, says that Prince Tuan wires
that an officer of the tsung-li-yamen
saw all the ministers on the 18th; that
none was injured and that no attack
was at that time being made. He does
not say to whom the dispatch of Prince
Tuan was addressed, and it is to q GER
tain extent at variance with the dis
patch Of Mr.. Conger of that date, de-
scribing the legation as being under
fire at that time.
After mature consideration the Of
ficials of the state department have
come to the conclusion that by tele-
graphic error the name Of the inform
ant of Consul General Goodnow has
been turned into "Tuan" from YUAN.
The latter is the famous Yuan Shih
Tai, the governor of the province OF
Shan Tung He had always maintain.
ed an attitude of neutrality, and ever
has leaned toward positive friendship
for the foreigners.