Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-07-10
THE CABINET Meeting.
Situation in China Is Discussed at
Great Length.

the Chinese situation We're considered
by members of the cabinet at a consulta-
ton held today. The participants ex-
planned the conference by saying tina it
was the first opportunity that had oc-
currred lately to get together as many as
four of the cabinet members for consul
tation. Results ollowed in the shape of
renewed activity in the dispatch of REIN
forcements to China ADMIRAL Kempff's
cablegram giving his estimate of the
amount of force that he regards neces-
sary to represent the United States prop
erly in the movement upon Pekin was
carefully considered. An agreement
was reached to say nothing about the
admirals figures, on the ground hat it
would be impolitic to make our needs
known to the Chinese in the first in
stance and also of a desire on the part
of this government to avoid being put in
the position of appearing to set up a
standard for the other powers in this
matter.
It is understood, however, that the pith
of Admiral Kempffs communication is
the necessity Of speedy reinforcements if
quick action is desired. and on the lat
ter point there is not a dissenting voice
among the cabinet officers. If reinforce
ments are to be gotten to China speedily
they Gamma come from the United
States. According to the schedule al
ready in execution only n steamer.
I with lWo UdlldilOHS ~ oIlS IeSlIllcAt, 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 at that rate, many
weeks and even months must elapse be-
fore the 5000 additional troops ordered
east Saturday can be landed there.
This state of affairs caused a revival
today of the report that General Mac
Arthur is to be again called upon to re-
lieve the situation by dispatching from
the Philippines at least two regiments in
addition to the 9th infantry already sent
to Taku. 1t was said that the cabinet
officers considered this subject and de-
cided to give the necessary orders look
ing to a replacement of the troops with
drawn from General MacArthur's COM
mand from the force going out from the
United States None of the cabinet Off
GERS would admit or deny this, so it gain
ed some measure of credence. Unless
Japan is to be left to do all of the fight
ing in the immediate future, General
Macarthur must respond to this de-
mand by drawing upon the Philippine
force. At least a month could be saved
in landing troops in China
: Secretary Long this afternoon showed
how the navy was responding to the call
/ for reinforcements by ordering 500 ma
rines to be assembled from the several
navy yards and lave been ordered to
! China. 1t is significant that these are
the first military forces to be sent direct
ly from the United States to China with
out instructions to stop at Nagasaki for
orders. The marines will makeu up a force
of $50 men as the department already
given orders 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 French charge and the
Chinese minister We're among Secretary
Hays callers today. Save the Chinese min
nation, but it Is surmised that their object
was to assure Secretary Hay as to the
willingness of the governments of Russia
and France to allow Japan a free hand n
the Boxer disturbance. There is a sugges-
s s,en in the ieit iaf my By saas ParyeG Hay ynq has
been brought about through the quiet ac-
ceptance of at least one more Important
be learned, though it is suspected to relate
to territorial acquisitions.
Mr.. Wollant, the Russian charge, was
among Secretary Hays callers today. His
mission, was connected with the Chinese
situation. and while no official legislation
ON the subject could be- had, there is reason
to believe that the minister formaMy con-
veyed to Secretary Hay the assurance that
his government was entirely willing that
Japan should do everything in her power
izing that she alone of the powers was in
a position to act speedily. 1t is impossible
TO ascertain whether OF not any aSSuf-
ances nave been exchanged respecting the
limitation of compensation for the task
the Japanese government is about to as
sumo in the interest. of civilization. An in
timation has ben dropped that the amount
of indemnity will not be reduced to exact
terms in advance of action by Japan. but
that the latter nation will proceed upon a
general assurance from the powers con-
cerned that it will be properly requited for
the expenditure of men and money.
1t is learned at the state department. that
the foundation for the story cabled from
London respecting cooperation between
Japan. England and the United States at
the instance of Lii Hung Chang, to pre-
serve the Chinese empire, is nothing more
than an outcropping in a new form of the
arrangement already made by our govern
meat with the others named for the neu-
tralization Of the southern provinces of
China in accordance with the urgent plea
OF the viceroys of the provinces in that