The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-10

: Washington, July Developments in
the Chinese situation were considered by
members of the cabinet at a consultation
held today. The participants explained
their conference By saying that it was the
first opportunity that had occurred lately
to gather as many as four of the cabinet
members for consultation. Results fol-
lowed in the shape of renewed activity in
6he despatch of reinforcements to China
Admiral Kempif' s cablegram, giving his
estimate Of the amount of force he re-
garded as necessary to represent the
United States properly IN the movement
upon Pekin was carefully considered. An
agreement was reached to say nothing
about the Admiral s figures, on the
ground that 1t would be impolitic to
make our needs known to the Chinese in
the nrst instance, and also because of q
desire on the part of this government to
avoid being put IN the position Of appear
ing to set up a standard for the other
powers IN this matter. 1t is understood,
however, that the pith of Admiral
KempfT' s communication is the necessity
Of speedy reinforcements, If quick action
is desired and on the latter point there Is
not dissenting voice among the cabinet
officers. If endorsements are to be got
ten to China speedily, they cannot come
from the United States. According to the
schedule already in execution, only one
steamer, with two battalions of one regi-
ment, has started from San Francisco
ona tho newt ofnns.,o- fe not fo START Ho-
fore the 10Th 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 before the 5000 additional troops
ordered east Saturday can be landed
there. This state of affairs caused a re-
vival today of the report that General
Macarthur is to be again called upon to
relieve the situation by despatching from
the Philippines at least two regiments in
addition to the ninth infantry already
sent to Taku. 1t was said that the cabi-
net 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 officers
would admit or deny this, so it gained
some measure of credence. Unless Japan
is to be left to do all of the fighting in the
immediate future, General Macarthur
must respond to this demand. BY draw
ing 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 achievements by ordering five hum
bred marines to be assembled from the
several navy yards and hurried to China.
It is significant that these are the first
military forces to be sent directly from
the United States to China, without in
structions to stop at Nagasakt for orders.
The marines will make up a force of $50
men, as the department already has given
orders for the equipment of $50 marines
for similar service. They will be sent
out on the steamer army transport avail
able for the service The Russian and
French charge d'aTairs and the Chinese
minister were among Secretary Hays
callers today. Save the Chinese minister,
they came as they said, for information,
but it is sur1nised that their object also
was to assure Secretary Hay as to the
will ngness of the governments of Russia
andsFranoe to allow Japan a free hand in
the matter of landing troops in China to
quell the Boxer disturbance. There is
suggestion IN the air that this perfect I'M
Outstanding, initiated by Secretary Hay,
has been brought through the quiet 40
ceptance of at least one most important
condition. What this condition is cannot
be learned, though it is suspected to re-
late to territorial acquisition.