The times., 1901-05-14
Circulation Statement.
The Chinese Mission.

The Chinese Mission.
1t could hardly be embarrassing 10
that excellent and much abused pubic
servant, Mr.. Conger. our Minister 10
China. if we were to refer to fact
which must have become very apparent
to him since his return to the United
States. namely. that the Administra-
tion is trying to get rid of him without
scandal or friction. by securing his
nomination to the gOvernorship OF
Iowa in August. Just why he should
be regarded as an incubus after all MS
sufferings and service during and after
the siege of the Pekin legations Is
matter which does not concern US at
the moment. The fact remains that his
place is wanted, and that he will have
to take a back seat in the party syna-
gogue unless he can manage to secure
some recognition in his own State,
which would serve to render him
worthy of consideration at the Hanna
headquarters.
despatch from San Francisco, yes
terday. stated that the Hon. John Bar
rett. formerly our Minister to Siam,
was making a pilgrimage along the
Pacific Coast in quest OF support in his
effort to succeed Mr. Conger- Now. 1t
is singular thing that we should also
hear that Representative Hull of Iowa,
who is working the Conger guberna-
tcrial boom in that State, is also back
ing Mr.. Barrett's desire 10 so TO Pekin.
Perhaps, after.all. it is not 50 singular.
Mr.. Hull is good Administration man.
and naturally would be loyal enough to
promote its interests by relieving 1t OF
Conger and helping Barrett TO his
Mace at one fell swoop. Why? Because
il is SAID that the State Department
wants to get rid OF tie one. while the
other is favored by Mr Hanna.
we 90 not wish to say anything de
roeatory of Mr.. Parrett. He made
good record in Siam. and is gentle
man Of parts and easy adaptability to
home political conditions. Were it pro-
poead 20 make him Minister TO Bogota.
or to Perm. or to Siam again, we should
find nothing upon which TO ground ob-
lection. II happens. however. that his
appointment to succeed blr. Conger
would be an act of injustice 70 Mr.
Rockhir. who has conducted the peace
negotiations on the part Of this coun-
try at PekiD with ability, discretion,
and. as far as we can see, with all the
success that his instructions and the
poIicy Of his Government have permit
ted.
In saving that Mr. RoekhiH appears
To he entitled TO the honor, we are not
speaking from any personal bias We
do not forget that the gentleman in
question. when Assistant Secretary OF
State. in charge of the Consular Bu-
reau. a little before the Spanish war,
notified cur Consuls in Cuba not to
make official reports Of Spanish out
RACES. in order that they might not get
before the American public. AT the
time we criticised hiTp severely, and, il
we ceuld, would have had him removed
from Office. New that the heat of the
finally successful effort TO wipe ou
WeyIerisn in Cuba has cooled down
we are willing to think that he acted
rnder the positive orders of an Ad
ministration then practically in allianc'
with Spain against the Cuban liberty
and. in that light, his personal resron
sibility appears less certain
That consideration aside, Mr.. Rock
hill has done well in China, and de
serves the normal reward for his serv
ice. which is the Chinese Mission whel
next it shall become -acant. He is
Chinese scholar. unique among Amer
lean diplomats in being able to speal
and write the language Of the country
He has a large acquaintance among
Chinese statesmen and leading vice
roys and mandarins. His experience il
the Orient and his personal accom-
plishments peculiarly fit him for In
post. and we are unable to see any jus
reason why he should not have it.
While Mr.. Barrett is working hi
boom on the Pacific Coast. it is not t
be doubted that M Denby-who vii
be remembered as an exceedingly ac
tive member OF the Alger Relief Com
Inission-also has hopes. AS likely a
not he is circulating among the West
erm stock yards in the interest Of hi
ambition. Whether he is or not, III
matter is negligible. We can hardl
bring ourselves TO believe that Presi
dent Mckinley. under the impetus c
his desire to make his second Admin
ishation 4 pride and joy to posterit!
would send a man Of the DENLY type t
China