The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-28

could not Withdraw It's troops, even IL
so disposed, without arranging for in
Identification for the heavy cost 1T has
been put to in the Pekin campaign. Also
it must make arrangements with some
responsible authority for the future pro-
lection of American interests in China
as our business interests cannot be
withdrawn along with the army of occu-
patton. Therefore, as conveying faint
hope that in the persons of these mem
bers of the Tsung Ii Yamen there may
be found some authorized representa-
tive of the Chinese Government compe-
tent to make engagements on these
points, the message of Mr.. Conger was
very welcome to the authorities here.
Another statement in Mr.. Conger's
dispatch relative to the decision of the
generals not to enter the imperial palace,
appears to explain the movement of the
American troops, which the press dis
patches were unable to clear up in re-
laxing the attack upon the palace gates.
after capturing all but one of them.
Another event of the day of some in
terest was am order dispatching the Cas-
tine from Shanghai to Annoy, distant
about 400 miles. The little gunboat
should make the trip in about two days,
under favorable conditions. Her force is
small but sufficient to serve a moral
purpose, if there be need for such.
The condition of affairs at Annoy is
for the moment attracting much atten-
tion at the Department. The United
States Consul and business interests there
alike have become very much alarmed
at the rioting, at the incendiary fires and
lastly at the landing of a considerable
nf Tor
The officials do not care to say whether
or not we have Joined in any protest
against the Japanese action, the Castine
it can be stated. however, was ordered
to Annoy because of rioting and not be-
cause of any apprehensions as to whether
Japanese have aspirations there. Gov
ernment officials take the ground that
in the absence of any advice showing a
selfish purpose on the part of the Japan
ese il must be assumed that their land
ing was made in the common cause of all.
1t is not doubted that any American
commander would have landed troops at
Annoy, if rioting appeared to endanger
foreign properties and lives and no other
foreign warshirs were availaible4 Steps
will be taken at once to learn the facts
in TIE case.
The United States Government has not
invited any government to participate in
conference with the purpose of arrang-
ing the future of China. Nor has it re-
,ceived any such invitation from any
other Government Negotiations that
have been in progress for some time, in
yolved last week the dispatch OF note,
or rather CT practically Identical instruc-
tions to the United States diplomatic rep
resentatives in Europe and in Japan, for
their guidance in replying to inquiries
that were flowing in upon them daily as
to the purposes of the United States
Government. The State Department
itself also has received many such in
quiries from representatives of the pow
ers involved in the Chinese trouble. 1t
| is believed that these were generally in
| formal. but nevertheless as they called
for statements of policy, lit was regarded
as eXpedient that the replies should not
| be divergent, and to guard against dis
crepancy by direction of the President,
a formal instruction was drawn UP. That
this did not exactly define the intention
of the United States to withdraw from
China at a specified time, was made evil
dent by the continuance of inquiries from
|
formation on this point. There is a very
manifest desire on the part of European
Governments to get some expression
| from the United States Government as to
| it's purpose, before committing them
selves. 1t is believed that our answers
! have been framed with the special pur-
pose OF avoiding a committal of the Gov
ernment as to its policy beyond the points
| specifically laid down in the President S
response to Emperor Kwang Tsus first
appeal. and in the answer to Ii Hung
Chang's appeal for mediation. However
this may be, the State Department does
not regard it as eXpedient at this moment
to make public the latest phases of the
| negotiations, SO it is impossible to know
from this side whether or not they have
touched upon propositions to divide China
! into spheres for military occupation; to
| provide for a temporary form of govern
! ment at Pekin. or to endeavor to re-es-
tablish relations with the existing dyn-
asty in China. though 1t may be fairly as
| sumed that something has been said upon
| these various points.
| The first direct Nvord from General
| Chaffee since August 18th came today in
the form OF cablegram dated today at
| Taku, reporting the action of the Sixth
cavalry with the enemy near Tien Tsin
on the 18th.
| This cable adds nothing to the infor-
| nation in the possession of the Depart
ment relative to military movements as
| it is simply General Chaffee's official re-
| port of an engagement previously report
| ed by Admiral Remey in a cable from
| Taku August Goth, in which he said;
Morning 10TH Sixth cavalry and about
| 400 English and Japanese dispersed about
| ], 900 Boxers outside of Tien Tsin. About
| 100 Chinese killed; five Americans wound
ed''
The description of the action reported
by General Chaffee tallies with that
previously reported by Admiral Remey in
the above cable, and is identified with 1t
by War Department officials. The ex-
planation in the delay of the War Depart
ments advices is that Colonel Wint, who
| commands the Sixth cavalry, probably
| forwarded his report to his superior at
| Pekin, and General Chaffee then sent 1t
officially to Washington. Although Cen
/ eral Chaffee's cable is dated Taku, it is
assumed that it was forwarded from
| 'Pekn.
| NO DECLARATION OF WAR