Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-28
INSTRUCTIONS TO ROCKHILL
DIRECTED TO SECURE CESSATION
OF PUNITIVE DEMANDS.
Mr. COnrer's HOme-COming-Purc hase
of Land for Pekin
Legation.

Special Commissioner Rockhill at Pekin
has been instructed to make it known to
the foreign ministers that the President
strongly deprecates any action that will
tend to delay or check the present negotia-
tions there and especially is he desirous
that there shall be no further unnecessary
bloodshed. Ii is probable that this instruc-
ton is framed to stop, If possible, the era
of wholesale slaughter which is said to be
in contemplation in some quarters of Pc
kin, beginning with the execution of pronli-
nent Chinese in all of the towns and COM
munites in China which were the scene of
trouble during the Boxer uprising. This
policy laid down for Mr.. Rockhill is, of
course, perfectly consistent with the in
structons heretofore furnished TO Mr.. Con-
ger. 1t is confidently believed that our
commissioner will be able to secure the sup
port and cooperation of a sufficient num-
Der of the other ministers to insure ces-
satfon of the punitive demands, which, 1t is
believed here, are not only unworthy OF
civilized nations, but threaten to drive the
Chinese to desperation and thereby cause
renewal of armed resistance on their part
AMisapprehensiOnC Corrected.
A misunderstanding appears to exist in
European capitals to the conditions un-
der which Mr. Conger was replaced at Pc
kin by Mr.. Rockhill. In charge Of the nego-
tiations for the United States The i'm
preston seems to have gained currency
that the change was made by the State De-
partment because of dissatisfaction with
Mr.. Conger's action. 1t is a fact however,
that Mr.. Conger was relieved at his own
request, and his cable message of last week
strongly urged that he be allowed to come
home for sixty days, not intimating any
purpose on his part to remain longer in the
United States. '-.-
Moreover In the same message Mr.. Con-
ger expressly recommended that Mr.. Rock
hill be charged with the conduct Of the
negotiations, and in so directing the State
Department has done nothing more than
carry out the pressing request Of Mr.. Con-
ger. The leave of absence Of sixty days
will really cover more than double that
period of time, for the leave only operates
when the minister reaches the confines OF
the United States, and according to the
regulations. he is allowed thrty-fve days
to make the journey from Pekn to his
home, and as much time for the return
trip. AS 1t is not expected that he Will be
able to get away from Pekin, owing to the
ice, much before the middle Of March, he
cannot be expected to return to his post.
even If he desired TO, until the latter part
Of next summer.
Land Grabbing by Powers.
The United States government is going
to set another example of fair dealing with
the Chinese, which, it is hoped, may in
some measure inspire the other powers. in
the absorption of Chinese lands for legation
purposes. Mr.. Rockhill has already used
some very pointed language in commenting
to the ministers upon the ruthless land
grabbing going on in Pekin, especially so
far 1t has touched the private property
of Sir Robert Hart, a man to whom the
ministers themselves are perhaps In some
measure under obligations for saving their
lives during the Boxer uprising. Now, the
United States government, which has here
tofore occupied insufficient rented premises
as a legation, has quite as much need as
any other power for permanent quarters.
But it proposes to acquire the ground hon
orably, if it can be done. or not at all, and
the State Department is about to ask Com
gress for an appropriation of money to buy
the necessary ground.