The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-04-19
NTFR-GUB POLO MATCH MINISTER CONGR HERE &ALO
WAR DIPLOMAT ON THE NIPPON
MARU.
Going Home on Two Months Leave of
Absence-Talks of Peking And The
Situation,

Hon. Il. H. Conger, United States
Minister to China, reached here by the
Nippon Maru late yesterday and regis
tered at the Moana hotel He was ac-
companied by Mrs. Conger, Miss Con-
ger and Miss Pierce. The party remain
ed at the beach until about 10 o'clock
this morning when a drive was taken
about the city.
Few men have been more prominent
ly before the public in the past year
, than Mr.. Conger AS the Amecan Min
lister at Peking, he was an important
figure. In fact for a long time especial
ly during the period following the sue
cess of the relief expedition, his gov
ernment looked to him for it's point
ers" and the responsibility thrust upon
his shoulders was perhaps greater than
that encountered by any American re-
preventative in a foreign capital.
Mr.. Conger has been granted a leave
of absence for two months, but. unless
something extraordinary turns up in
Pel<ing he will be away about three
months. He will proceed directly to his
home in Iowa, there to remain a couple
of days, and will then push on to WASH
ington to confer with President Nc
| Kiney and the Secretary of State.
While in Honolulu the Congers have
been the recipients of many calls. They
were here three years ago and friends
made at that time, as well as a few
older friends have been the callers.
About o'clock this morning the Min
! lister and Mrs Conger went out for a
stroll through Kapiolani park. They
went nearly as far as Diamond Head
! and returned to the hotel at 8.
Mr.. Conger believes the trouble in the
Orient is at an end, but says there is a
! bare chance of other complications. At
the same time the powers all realize
how serious the results of another mis-
understanding would be and all are
endeavoring to avoid it.
mo, everything is not settled" says
| Mr.. Conger, but affairs are In such a
state that if the pecuniary demands of
| the Powers are not too heavy a COM
plete settlement will soon have been
| realized. China is ready and anxious
| to settle; China really wants peace and
wants it badly; China will give her last
dollar to obtain peace"
rs there not a slight difference be-
| tween Chinas promises and her acts
! betimes?" was asked.
1 mo, that Is a mistaken idea. All
| prior demands have been complied with
most faithfully. No European power
could have been more faithful than
China since the occupation of Peking
| by the powers believe-I know that
| China wants to do right. The world
| has been led to doubt Chinese integrity
| by the treachery of the mobs in the
Boxer movements, but those things
should not influence opinion while con-
| sidering diplomatic subjects and the
| reliability of nations government.
THE future will depend upon the
| amount of money demanded by the
| powers for indemnity. China can stand
| just so much. Just how much l do not
care to say, although l think 1 have a
pretty clear idea on the point. If the
| demands oVerreach this amount, China
| no 10 fnf nd f,,t
state of things she cannot borrow.
mo, l do not think China will fight
| if the demands are too much. She is
less able to fight than to pay. The
! danger | fear is the attitude after and
the course of the powers in recovering
| their claims. 1t seems almost likelN
| that territory will be seized. If this Is
! begun 1t is impossible to tell where 1t
may end. 1t may mean the complete
! dismemberment of the Empire. The
danger point is any start to seize ter
ritory. Such a move will foment dis
! cord between the powers and may end
4 in something the world has not had in
a long while.
'The Emperor is still in the south.
4 He is in delicate health and will not re-
| turn to Peking until the winter is over.
Ii Hung Chang and Prince Ching carry
| on the business between the govern
ment and foreign representatives. They
| are diplomats of great ability and are,
above all, honest in their dealing. They
are in constant communication with the
| Emperor.
81 do not care to say anything about
! the recent strained relations between
| Japan and Russia. Most of this side
war was a newspaper affair anyway.
| believe the matter has been salts
| factorily adjusted.
'Peking is still in the hands of the
foreign troops. The city has been clean
ed up, modern systems have been put
| into effect and 1t is competently policed
by the soldiers of the powers. Conf
dence has returned and business is
good.
Mr.. Rockhill. the United States spe-
cial ambassador is attending to the
work of our government of closing up
negotiations. My secretary will have
charge of legation business during my
absence.
mo Peking was not badly wrecked as
has been made out. More damage was
done by the Boxers prior to the time
firing began than was done by the SOL
diers. They had only sticks and swords
and the firebrand, but with these in
fiicted a terrible lot of mischief. The
Imperial troops did less harm than they
although using artillery and small arms
upon us. They did not open fire until
two days after the foreign troops had
landed and had started for Peking.
|
king there was some damage to the
gates and some inside. Fighting at
that time amounted to little, the troops
effecting an enrance without great re-
sistance The battle was nothing to the
one at Tien Tsln, where so many lives
were lost and the city practically des-
troyed.
81 have nothing whatever to say OF
the past or probable future policy of the
United States An China. You must gel
that from Washington. Some criticize
the partial or final decision to Withdraw
our troops, I understand, but this is q
subject upon which the mey b. h n 81
differences of opinion. Everybody ha'
a right to an opinion, / suppose. With
al, | do not think our interests in any
part of the world will be permitted t.
suffer, provided we have the power t
prevent it.
81 will proceed after two days II
Iowa to Washington to confer with th'