2st Aug. Ix the very able letter from our United States correspondent which appears in another column there are three separate statements of the policy of the United States in the present crisis, and they seem without doubt to call for some comment. It is as difficult to characterise them as it has evidently been difficult for President McKinley and Mr. Hay to keep up the show of friendship for the Chinese Government while heartily ce-operating in the military measures that are being pursued in the north of China. For the prosecution of this endeavour to stand on the dividing line between war and no war the near approach of the Pres-identical Election is doubtless partly responsible; and after all, it is not much more illogical than the position of all the Powers at the moment. The first statement is contained in the conditions on which the United States agreed, on the request of the Emperor of China through the Chinese Minister to Washington Mr. Wu Ting-fang, to act as mediator between the Imperial Government and the Powers. here are one or two of these conditions that are especially noteworthy. There is first, that the mediation of the United Staces shall be agreeable to the Powers concerned. Then there isa very important one, the insistence on which must wreck the whole scheme, if the Chinese Government means the Empress Dowager. It runs "Te the Chinese Government can show to the satisfaction of the Administration that it had no part in the disorder, and that it was beyond its power to control affairs and suppress the rebellion, and agrees that the acceptance of a mediator does not annul any claims for indemnity which the American Government may make, and that the Powers agree to the United States acting as mediator, the Administration will begin as soon as possible the task of trying to settle the difficulty as quickly as possible."
Of course, the Chinese Government cannot possibly show that it had no part in the disorder, As regards the question whether the request for mediation came really from the Emperor, the United States takes a very comnion sense view. If the Peking Government is acting in good forth, the United States is ina better position by believing its representations; if it is not, no harm is done, for the measures for the relief of Peking are being pushed on with undiminished energy. The last paragraph of these conditions, however, shows the emptiness of the mediation scheme: "There is some doubt as to how other nations will accept advances from the United States for ce-operation with China. It is thought highly probable that some of the Powers will decline to enter into any negotiations with China until the Ministers have been released, if alive, and the insurrection is put down." This is indeed even more than highly probable.
The next statement of policy is given in a note that has already been published, addressed by Mr. Secretary ay on the 3rd of July last to the Anicrican Ambassadors and Ministers to the maritime Powers of Europe. It very properly states that the condition at Peking is one of "virtual anarchy, whereby power and responsibility are practically devolved upon the local provincial authorities... We regard them as representing the Chinese people with whom we seek to remain in peace and friendship." This is somewhat inconsistent with the determination to treat with the Emperor of China through his Minister at Washington. The note continues:—"The purpose of the President is, as it has been heretofore, to act concurrently with the other Powers, first in opening up communication with Peking and rescuing the American officials, missionaries, and other Americans who are in danger; secondly. in affording all_ possible protection everywhere in China to American life and property; thirdly, guarding and protecting all legitimate American interests; and fourthly, in aiding to prevent. a spread of the disorders to the other provinces of he Empire and a reew rence of such disasters." This is an eminently correct and practical programme, and it is expanded in six points stated by a member of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.