Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-13

Gen. James II. Wilson, who has been
with the American army 10 China,
arrived inWilmington, Tuesday evening,
and is visiting his son in law, Henry
B. Thompson of No. 1905 Rodney
street. The general came here from
Washington, where he reported to the
Secretary OF War and was in conference
with the President. He is the author
Of book on China, and is an
authority on conditions there.
Gen, Wilson attributes the recent
troubles In China entirely to the bad
influence In the Chinese courts.
''These Influences" eaid he TO New
York Sun representative in Washing
ton, "made 1t appear that China was
strong enough to clear out all
foreigners. Bad advisers of the EN-
press mised her as to the strength Of
the Empire. China mas never had an
army able to defeat the foreign armies,
and never will have. There is no doubt
about the fact that the Empress, Jung
Lu and Hung Flu Hsiang weie i'm.
piicated In the project to extermInate
the foreigners. But tine Empress was
misled and the Emperor could do
nothing.
"Tbey have at last realized their
weakness. China is now at the mercy
Of the foreign Powers, absolutely at
their mercy. The question of a settle.
ment depends upon the Powers and
must be settled by the representatives
Of the different governments at their
respective capitals. In my Judgment
China will accede to most any demand
made upon her,
He believes that the present difficulty
will prove China's salvation, for after
settlement she will be open to modern
progress. He believes that I'll Hung
Chang is acting In good faith in his
efforts to effect q settlement with the
powers. Speaking of Count Waldersee
he said he was man Of excellent
principles and character, and he did
not believe that there was any differ
ence between the count and Gen.
Chaifee over the question OF looting.
The Germans have had great provo
cation on account OF the killing OF
their minister by the Chinese.
''As to Gen. Cbaffee's barring the
gate to the Imperial palace, | win ex-
plain that situaion," said Gen. Wilson.
After the capture of the Imperial City
u was agreed that the gates captured
should be held by the troops capturing
them. The Americans captured the
pSuhh bulo WIG oaPuucbS buo anu
eastern gate. After the troops marched
10 body through the palace, none
was allowed inside without permission
from the general guarding the gate to
be entered. When Count Won Walderses
wanted to go through the palace he
got permission from Gen. ChafTee to
pass through the south gate, as 1t
leads right through the Imperial
buildings.
1t now appears from cable reports
that for some reason Gen. Chaffee re-
fused any longer to give permission
and has barred the way through the
south gate to the Imperial buildings.
II is not unnatural that Gen. Chaffee
should protest against the removal Of
the old observatory instruments. These
instruments formed the first acceptance
by China $50 years ago, of western
science. To take them from their
position and carry them away seems
to be unnecessary and calculated to
excite unnecessary comment.
The instruments are out of date,
but they are beautiful specimens of
bronze work. Their removal can do
no possible good, and it is difficult to
see upon what ground it can be iusti-
fed ! cannot believe that Count Won
Waldersee would couptenance such an
act. Nor would anyone be surrI isod IL
he did countenanos it, that Chaffee
should protest against It,"
Gen. Wilson praised the Japanese
soldiers. The European soldier does
not understand the discipline of the
American army and does not consider
the American a soldier. The Germans
are perfectly trained but they are no
better fighters than the Japanese or
Americans.