The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-11
WANT MORE AGGREssIvENEss.


Religious Bodies Would Have Uncle
Sam Send an Army to China.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June 10-The situation
In China excites the utmost interest in
administration circles. Minister Conger
keeps the State Department informed of
the changing phases OF Chinese affairs,
which may at any moment lead to a gen.
eraI war. While American ships of war
are being sent to China to protect Amer
lean interests, there is no intention on
the part of this government to send an
army of invasion there or to participate
in any movement looking to the dismem-
berment of the Chinese empire. To begin
with. the United States has not an army
at it's disposal to send to China and. to
end with, TO send an army there. even If
the United States had it to send. would
be to reverse the policy of this government
from it's foundation. In spite of these facts
the State Department Is inundated with
kilograms and letters from churchmen call
ing for more decisive action on the part
Of the government in regard to the Chi
nese situation. They come from organized
bodies and the representatives of such
bodies. and not simply from individuals
These demands from religious organiza-
tions insist that this government interfere
actively to restore peace and order in the
disaffected districts, so the missionaries
can proceed with their work They are in
sistent and strenuous in these demands
and do not seem to care whether the gov
ernment has an army not. They want
one sent anyway and Immediately. A gov
ernment official. commenting on these de-
mands. said: They seem to think the
United States can post regiment at every
mission house in China
There will be warships and marines. and
sailors to protect the rights of Americans
In China, but no army to aid in the dis
memberment Of that ancient empire Such
Is the present programme in strict accord
ance with the traditional policy of the
United States, though, of course 1t is pos
sible that the situation may become such
as to compel the administration to take
more active and vigorous steps than are
now contemplated or than have ever here
tofore been taken in similar situations.
Not word has been received by the
State or Navy departments tonight re-
gardins the situation In China. Minister
Conger has been In almost daily commun-
ication with the State Department for the
| past week. so that the failure to hear from
him Is somewhat unusual. The general
Interpretation put upon his silence is that
affairs have remained practically un-
changed. At the same time the minister
has been fully advised by the officials here
as to his course in dealing with the sit
uation so that he would be fully prepared
to act without further communication with
the State Department. Several messages
came to the Navy Department during the
day. but none of them was from Admirals
Remey at Manila or Keinpff in charge of
| the Asiatic squadron and now at Taku
The latter's force will be increased soon
| by the arrival of the Monadnock and the
Nashville. With the additional marines
these vessels accommodate the available
force OF men subject to Minister Conger's
needs or demands Will be considerably
| increased.
The Chinese minister, Mr.. wu, tonight
said that he had not received word from
his government respecting the present
Boxer agitation now in progress there.
The minister explained that his govern
ment unlike European governments. did
not resort to the use OF the cable freely
IN communicating with him. Mr.. wu in
| quired eagerly for the latest press dis
patches from China. and was told of the
departure OF 1,50o foreign troops from Tien-
| Tsin for Peking to-day and that English
troops at Hong-Kong were in readiness
to proceed north on account of the Boxer
disturbances. He had no comment to make
other than TO express the hope that the
situation would become improved soon and
| that like disturbances which have hereto
fore occurred they would disappear en-
tirely before long.