The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-19
THE NINTH INFANTRY.
Soldiers from Manila Cannot Reach
TaEu before July 4.

Soldiers from Manila Cannot Reach
Taku Before July 4.
WASHINGTON, June 1S-The press dis
patch from Manila last night saying that
the Ninth Infantry had been ordered to
Manila for service in China exposed the
secret plans of the War Department to dis
patch troops to the scene of trouble in
China. Secret orders were sent to General
Macarthur a few days ago to prepare for
the prompt dispatch Of troops to Taku,
but 1t was not intended tina. the matter
should become public until the movement
was at least under way. Now that the
matter has leaked out from Manila the Of
ficials Of the War Department admit that
the administration has concluded to send
troops to China for the protection OF the
lives and property of American citizens.
The following cable message from Gen.
eral Macarthur bearing on this subject
was made public at the War Department
to-day:
ninth Infantry Colonel Liscum, ordered
to Taku on the Logan. Will probably start
on the Ath. Typhoon delays movements.
The voyage from Manila to Taku will
occupy at least week, so that under the
most favorable circumstances it appears
that these troops will hardly reach the
Chinese port before July 1. The Ninth In
fantry has rendered excellent service
against the Filipino insurgents and has
taken part in many important ana de-
cisive engagements. AS the Logan draws
too much water to get above Taku, the
troops win be obliged to trans-ship at
that point to light-draft river craft In
order to get up to Tien-Tsin This regi-
ment represents all of the army which IT
is proposed at present to employ. Colonel
Liscum has been ordered to report to the
limit n Sfofo Mt 81
1t Is difficult to get a precise official view
OF the status Of our relations with China
since this last news. The conclusion that
we are in a state of war is emphatically
negatived by the oficials best Competent
to speak. The Chinese minister, Mr.. WI,
was an early visitor to the State De-
partment to-day. He does not believe that
we are at war with China. He said that
there had evidently been a great misuncer-
standing and was confident that If 1t were
true that the Taku forts had fired on the
international fleet it was either because
the commander Of the Chinese forts there
did not understand what was wanted
he had failed to receive proper instruction
from his superior through an error. He
had himself received no word Of news from
his home government, and Will remain
here until further developments.
Herr Won Holleben, the German ambas-
sador, also was without official news to-
to see Secretary Hay in quest of news
early in the day. He would not venture an
opinion respecting the existence of state
of war.
At the State Department the view pre-
vailed that, notwithstanding there had
been bombardment and that our forces
were on Chinese soil, still there was not
war up to this stage. So far the State
Department has had no proof that the
Chinese government at Picking has sane
toned or ordered any attack upon the in
ternatfonal column or upon the interna-
tional fleet. 1t is possible that the Chinese
commandant at Taku may himself have
revolted with his troops and joined the
Boxers. Therefore ii cannot be assumed
that we are at war until formal assur-
ance to that effect has been received from
competent authority.
Secretary Hay was asked IL the latest de-
velopments had made any change in the
policy which the United States had adopted
toward this Chinese trouble. He replied:
Our naval forces in that region have been
directed to act concurrently with the
forces of the other powers for the protec-
ton of all American interests"