The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-24
ARISING FROM ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA
AND GERMANY To CHINA
CLOSE ON A DECLARATION OF WAR
w. w. Rockhfll Sent a Special Commits
sioner to Chfna-No Compact by Our
Government With European Nations
Repetition of Chinese Rumor of Safety
of Legations-Russfan Informa-
ton That They Were Massacred July
6th-Russians Charged with Great
Barbarity.

Washington, July 19.-In the absence
OF direct news from China this morn
ing, attention was directed mainly to
the more or less speculative stories
emanating from European capitals in
dicative of discord among the powers.
II IS realized that these little bulletins
of mutual suspicion always character
ize allied movements and so are to be
expected in the present case. 1t can be
stated that, so far as official record
discloses, there is absolutely no ground
for them.
Our government having fully defin-
ed its intentions in Secretary Hays
note of July 3rd, the other overnment
interested in the Chinese situation have
entered into the spirit of that declara-
ton of principles with perfect accord.
At least that is the record, both writ
ten and oral, and Russia, a power more
than In other under suspicion in these
stories, has not been backward in as
surfing the state department of the CO.
incidence of Secretary Hays declara-
ton with Russia's purpose in China.
It is, of course possible that some of
the powers are swayed by motives
that do not appear in their formal dec
laratiOns. The state department,
however, cannot go behind their form
al expression and a now only await
results.
There is not the slightest disposition
on the part of u government to fol-
low the example of certain European
powers and restrict in any measure the
Chinese minister here, Mr.. WI, in COM
-1rrnT0a +Tr ;tI +I1 I;-4 i4or0x
and whatever remains of the titular
Chinese government. On the contrary
crediting the minister with an arnes
desire to do everything in his power
to protect foreigners in the Chinese
empire, n confident that he has no
sympathy with the insurrectionary
Boxer element, the state department
regards it as good policy to facilitate,
rather han obstruct, his communica-
tions with the Chinese viceroys. Act
ing itself on this theory, the depart
ment does not credit the stories that
any of the Chinese ministers in Europe
have been given their passports.
If there should be a declaration Of
war by Russia, based on what is said
to have occurred on he Siberian Dor
der, the technical relations of the allied
powers towards China might, it is said
here, undergo a radical change. 1t is
believed that the story of Boxer ac-
tivity is considerably exaggerated so
far as it relates to the country north
of the Siberian border, and it is hoped
that the troubles have been confined
to Manchuria. But if war should &C
tually and formally open between Rus
STA and China, that fact might obllge
the other powers to do one OF two
things; either join in the declaration
of war, or withdraw their forces from
Chinese soil.
NJ yIvo1J,-+ tho
Russian charge, again called upon
Secretary Hay this morning, but neith-
er a news from China.
DEVELOPMENT in the military Sltua-
ton today were the formal designation
of Brigadier Genera Chaffee as a ma
jor general of volunteers and the MAX
ing of other arrangements for a pro-
longed campaign on a large scale IN
China. The officials hope that it will
be short, but they are preparing to
send coal and winter clothing, so they
are getting ready for the other contln-
gency.
SPECIAL COMMISSION TO CHINA.
w. W. Rockhill, director of the bu-
reau of American republics, has been
appointed special commissioner from
this country to go to China and lnves--
tigate and report on the situation.
For some reason the officials did not
care to have it known that Mr.. Rock
hill had been selected for this response
BILE duty. Within a week he Will nave
a final conference with the president
and Secretary Hay and then will leave
for hin He probably will go to VAN
couver and there take the Japanese
line steamer for Yokohama, proceed
ing from that point to Shanghai. Not
until he arrives at Shanghai will MIR.
Rockhill undertake to outline his FUR
Their course His position is a peculiar
one. He is actually an ambassador In
power, and in the scope OF his func-
lions will be akin to Pr eSident Cleye-
lands paramount commissioner to
Hawaii. Mr.. Blount.
NO COMPACT WITH FOREIGN
POWERS.
Inquiry at the state department de-
veloped the fact that no such circular
as that described in the Rome dis
patch as having been received from
NJ. del Case had reached here. While
our government and that at Paris ap-
pear to be pursuing exactly the same
line of policy as to China, and conse-
quently are moving toward the com
mon objects without friction, it has
not been deemed necessary or expe-
dent to attempt to reduce to form and
substance an agreement upon which
common action should be had. The
statement IS equally true as to Ger
many and other powers. Our govern
r1ent has not found it polite to EN-
bark upon n joint formal programme
beyond the matters touched upon in
the Identical note CO July 3rd, defining
the objects of the United States in
China.
In French official quarters here the
Rome report is denied with equal pos
itiveness. Mr.. Hay and Nj. Thiebau'
have discussed a number of the details
constantly arising, but it can be stated
positively that at no time has any
thing like a circular from NJ del Case
proposing an agreement of the power
as to China been presented. Just a
present there are no negotiations o
special importance under constdera
ton. and certainly France is not await
ing any response from the Unite'
State to a circular note.
OUR CASUALTIES AT TEN TSIN