The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-10
Cabinet Officers Consulted Over the
Chinese situation.

Washington, July s.-Developments in
the Chinese situation were considered by
members of the cabinet at a consultation
held to-day The participants explained
their conference by saying that it was the
first opportunity that had occurred lately
to gather as many as four or five of the
cabinet members for consultation.
Results followed in the shape of re-
newed activity in the dispatch of REIN
foreements TO China. Admiral Kempff S
cablegram giving his estimate of the
amount of force he regarded as necessary
to represent the United States properly
in the movement upon Pekin was carefully
considered.
An agreement was reached 10 say moth
ing about the Admirars figures. on the
ground that it would be impolitic to make
our needs known TO the Chinese in the
first instance, and also because Of de-
sire on the part of this government TO
avoid being put in <he position of ap-
pearing TO set up a standard for the
other Powers in this matter. 1t is under
stood however. that the pith of Admiral
Kempffs communication is the necessity
for speedy reinforcements, if quick ac-
ton is desired. and on the latter point
there Is not a dissenting voice among the
cabinet members.
If achievements are to be got 80 China
speedily they cannot come from the Unit
ed States. According 10 the schedule al
ready in execution only one steamer,
with two battalions of one regiment has
started from San Francisco, and
the next steamer is not to start before
the 18th of the present month. This is
about the best time that can be made
with the present facilities, and ar that
rate, many weeks. and even months.
must elapse before the 5000 additional
troops ordered East Saturday can be
landed there
This State of affairs caused a revival to-
day of the report that Gen. Macarthur
is to be again called upon to relieve the
situation by dispatching from the Phil
ippines at least two regiments. in addition
to the Ninth Infantry already sent TO
Taku. 1t is said that the cabinet officers
considered this subject and decided to give
the necessary orders looking to a replace
meht of the troops withdrawn from Mac
Arthur's command in the force going out
from the United States. None of the cab
met officers would admit or deny this, so
il gained some measure of credence. I'm
less Japan is to be left to do all of the
fighting in the immediate future, Gen.
Macarthur must respond 10 this demand.
BY drawing upon the Philippine forces, at
least month could be saved in landing
troops in China
Secretary Long this afternoon showed
that the navy was responding 10 the cali
for reinforcements by ordering 500 ma
rines to be assembled from the several
navy yards and hurried TO China. 1t is
| significant that these are the first mill
| tsry forces to be sent directly from the
| United States to China, without instruc-
| tons to stop at Nagasaki for orders The
marines will make up a force of $50 men,
as the department already has given or
ders for the equipment of $50 marines for
| similar service. They will be sent out on
| the first army transport available for the
! service
The Russian and the French charges and
| the Chinese minister were among Secre-
| tary Hays callers to-day. Save the Chi
| nese minister, they came. as they said for
| information but 1t is surmised that their
| object was also to assure Secretary Hay
| as to the willingness of the governments
! of Russia and France TO allow Japan a
| free hand in the matter of landing troops
| to China to quell the Boxer disturbance,
| There is suggestion in the air that this
| perfect understanding, initiated by Sec
rotary Hay has been brought about
! through the quiet acceptance of at least
| one most important condition. What this
| condition is cannot be learned though 1,
| is suspected to relate to territorial acqui-
| sitions.