The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-31

Washington, August "a special
meeting of the cabinet, lasting all day
and broken only by a short recess for
luncheon, marked the intense interest
the administration feels in the Chinese
problem. The diplomatic and not the
military phase of the situation in
China was under consideration.
Last evening Assistant Secretary
-Adee and the French charge compared
the French and American copies Of the
credentials of Ii Hung Chang. Today
he had long talks with Mr.. WI and
the German charge, and the substance
of these conversations he laid before
the cabinet.
1t is understood that the cabinet to-
day completed the preparation of a
plan for clearing away much of the
uncertainty that now exists as to the
future in China and outlined its views
in writing. The fact that the military
situation is admitted TO be of secondary
Importance confirms the view, though
no cabinet officer would vOuchsafe in
formation on this point, that what Is
sought IS an agreement among the
powers for terminating the indefinite
status Of affairs in China.
TIME FOR AN UNDERSTANDING
1t is believed that the point has been
reached where it is proper that there
should be a clear expression of purpose
on the part of the principal powers in
order that the United States govern
ment may know how far it may go
consistently in the execution of the
common programme.
Most of the objects had in view by
the president when he made answer to
the Chinese governments appeal and
began the campaign upon Pekin have
been achieved. The others remain to
be secured, namely: The safeguarding
of American interests for the future,
and some proper guarantee of indemni-
hcation for the expense of recent op-
erations and losses of American citi-
ZenS. Some plan by which these OBJ
jects can be obtained by the United
States III common with similar objects
by the other powers engaged in China
is thought feasible.
Incidental to this main purpose, sew
eral phases of the problem are at
tracing special attention. Thus, the
sufficiency of Lii Hung Chang'S credel-
tials as a. peace envoy, or rather of the
ability of the emperor of China to ac-
credit anyone thus, is a matter of in
ternational consideration. The United
States not only must satisfy itself
with Earl Lis competency, but it must
convey solid assurance on that point
to convince some of the other powers,
the purposes of which perhaps would
not be best served by a speedy termi-
nation of hostilities in China
POLICY OF THE ADMINISTRATIONS Y
It was the general understanding
that the outcome of today'S cabinet
meeting would be the adoption of a
policy by the administration that
would tend to simplify these issues.
and at least bring to a focus the vary
ing aspirations of the powers. If this
cannot be done, then the question to
be determined is whether or not the
United States shall proceed further,
hand in hand with the allied forces. II
is believed that this matter is very near
a decision or determination depending
upon the responses made by European
nations to our inquiries.
The suggestion that a conference be
held of the nations represented in
China is again revived as an accompa-
niment of this purpose, and it is point
ed out that with Special Commissioner
Rockhill, just about arriving on Chi
nese soil, with Won Mumm Schwart-
ZenStein, the German successor TO
Baron Won Ketteler, already in China,
with the ministers resident at Pekin,
and with the high military and naval
officials in the Pei Ho valley, the ma
terial is already at hand for the gath
ering OF a conference fully equipped
to deal with even so complex and diff
cult problem as is presented in the
settlement of China's future.
IMPROVED TELEGRAPHIC COM
MUNICATION.
There are hopes that communica-
ton with Pekin, very much delayed OF
late, will be better soon. Consul Fow-
Ter at Che Foo, got routine dispatch
through today of current date and the
navy department has been informed
that the cable company's ship was
about to leave Shanghai today to lay
a direct cable connecting with Che Foe
one of the weakest links in the chain
of communication at present. These
improved conditions as to the opening
of communication betweeN our military
and naval commanders and the au-
thorities here have made it possible
for the latter to abandon the purpose
conceived yesterday of employing ma
val vessels to convey by water mes
sages between Shanghai and Che Foo