The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-25
CABINET DIsCUSsEs CHINA
4 watohfuI Eye VIII BE Kept on the Situ-
alton But Nothing Else.

WASHINGTON. Dec. A-The country's
attitude toward what appears 10 be an
effort ON the part OF the Powers OF
Europe 20 dismember China, was lns
principal topic of discussion at TO-DAY ;
meeting OF The Cabinet. All the Iaplnel
members were present except Secretary
Alger who is il At his home.
While no formal action was taken IN lhe
absence Of specific Information as 10 the
intention Of the Powers OF Europe, u
vas determined as member OF lhe Cao, an
met expressed &C.. To keep W-ttcnIul
eve upon the situation as II developed III
order that full protection may be gwen
10 the interests OF the United states IN
China as guaranteed by our treaties with
that country
ticipate IN an extension Of territory az
the expense Of China. Such a dlsposi-
ton would bee contrary 10 the nliherto eN-
pressed and well understood policy OF tnls
government and Is not contemplated by
the administration IL was determined,
however. to protect carefully all interests
and privileges which the United States
now enjoys in China.
Incidentally the question OF Amerl-
can relief % sufferers ia Cuba arose but
in the absence Of oiiicial ntolma,loh
from the Spanish government which had
been expected but had not been Aeceived
no action of importance was taken
4 pant OF the time of the meeting was
consumed IN a nsNCha--~s OF Chtlsuiists
greetings No presents were glNe-l OF
received among the members OF the Can
met.
The Cabinet understanding as TO the
attitude of the nited States IN the Chih.
ese question promises 10 have tnateIlai
influence on the development OF the east,
ern situation. The diplomats stdllVilcu
here have eagerly awaited some lntlnna-
tiOn as 10 the purpose or TINS Govern.
ment and the foreign press. notably az
London. Berlin, and vienna. nave etnotu
the sentiments at those courts that III ,hc
limited states entered the Held, clther
singly or In coalition with Great Britaln
and Japan. 1t would prove m9'er.aI
factor in the Chinese question.
The general understanding reicheu 10
dav doubtless will be made known 10
such foreign representatives as desire
TO sound this Government, ana the IN
formation In turn VIII reach % the Ioselsn
offices AT London. Berlin. st. Petersburg,
and elsewhere II will be disappointment
10 China which has looked TO the Jnited
states holding a diEntereSted posltloh,
pormfttiug IL 10 exert a strong lnnuence
In staving the dismemberment OF the Em-
pire China has made no advances 20 tnlS
Government. however, but mas occuPled
passive attitude 1..,t.. s.oa
NOT encourage ana Augiu-J apal s'-Aih.i.. /.
can alliance such as has been suggested
bv foreign newspapers.
ROME. Dec 2i-The statement contain
cd m special tlrRtAAA Al'iA
lished in London yesterday 10 the et,
feet that a Cabinet meeting had decld'u
10 gend an italian squadron 10 emma, was
pure invention. There has been no CaDl-
net meeting since December 9th.
LONDON, Dec. IA special dispatcn
from Paris SAYS tho French cruiser Pot-
huau. has been ordered 10 prepare Tor
service IN Chinese waters.
LONDON. Dec. 2i-rhe Daily MAJ. pub
fishes a dispatch from Toxic, which. u
claims. evaded active censorship. The
dispatch says: -
ENGLAND and japan. without entering
upon ar actual alliance. have irriEed az
n complete UNDERSTANDING, which VIII
probably result I'm Joint naval demon
stration al the entrance OF the Cur OF
in diplomatic circles at Toxic the
probability of conflict Is regarded as
extremely distant"
Russia. according 20 A special dispatch
from Shanghai is preparing the tempor-
arv headquarters for 1000 troops ut Port
Arthur
She has obtained half promise from
the Grand Council at Pekin 70 dismiss
Sir Robert Hart, director OF Chinese I'm
perial maritime customs and other high
customs officials In addition 70 the Bri-
tish railway officials and the German
officers and instructors. Fifty OF the lat
ter he dispatch says received notice to-
day (Friday) that they would be paid off
az the termination or their contracts.
Contrary 20 general report the dispatch
asserts that there is good reason to be-
lieve Great Britain viii actively oppose
the RussianizatiOn OF Corea and North