The Portland daily press., 1900-07-03
Sec'y Root Denies Sen
sational Stories.
Only One Regiment Has Reen
Despatched to China.

Washington, June 2.-Bad news comes
this morning from Admiral Kempff, con-
frming the worst stories which have
emanated from China relative to the CON
ditions it Pekin and feeling of disquiet
was noticeable among administration
officials and diplomats. The German
embassy showed particular anxiety for
information respecting the sad end of
Baron Won Ketteler, and in the course
CT the afternoon Secretary Hermann Of
the embassy paid a special visit to the
state department to inquire. NJ Thiebaut,
the charge of the French embassy, also
called, in quest Of information, it was
said. The visits revived rumors that an
effort is afoou to reach an international
agreement respecting the conduct of the
forces Of the powers in China. It was
said this afternoon at the state depart
ment that the only news was that there
seemed to be an unanimous agreement
on the part Of the powers to welcome
/ with the utmost cordiaIity Japan s offer
to furnish reinforcements for the forces
now operating along the Pei Ho river
in the effort to reach Pekin. as Japan
alone of the powers, is prepared to throw
into China whatever number of troops
may be needed. The news to that effect
had come to the state department from
all directions and particu larIy from Eng
land, Russia and France AS far as the
state department is concerned, it had pre-
viously accorded Japan a free hand in
the matter Of the number of troops to be
employed in China upon a voluntary and
courteous statement of the purpose of the
employment Of these forces.
A gathering in Secretary Hays office
late this afternoon, of Secretary Root and
Secretary Hitchcock, taken in connection
with the fact that Secretary Long had
been in conference earlier in the day
with the Secretary of State, led to the cir
culation of rumors that important de-
velopments were to be expected connect
ed with the strengthening of the United
States forces in China. These rumors,
however, were speedily set at rest by the
statements from one of the participants
that the conference had nothing to do
with Chinese affairs. but related to some
Indian troubles in the Northwest. Sec
retary Root did not hesitate to enter
specific denial of some of the sensational
stories which are persistentIy circulated
every day, regardless OF facts He said
that he had not ordered any troops to
China, beyond the ninth infantry from
Manila, now on the way to TalSu and
possibly, the sixth cavalry, about to start
from San Francisco for Nagasaki. THE
destination of the latter would depend
upon developments. He said he had not
ordered the 4th and 18th regiments of in
fantry to China, as had been reported in
some quarters, nor did he make the
slightest preparation for their despatch.
Respecting the withdrawal OF troops from
Cuba, the Secretary said that he did not
himself know which of the regime nts
would be first brought home. Genera
Miles and General Wood are trying to
settle that question, there being some
difference as to whether the Withdrawals
should be based strictly upon the order
in which the regiments had gone to
Cuba or upon other considerations such
as the conditions of their service and the
need at theshome for cavalry or infantry
organizations. Secretary Long contra
dieted the report that the New Orleans
was to be sent to Talxu or elsewhere in
China and added that he did not even
intend to send out another ship to make
up the deficiency caused by the digas-
ter to the Oregon.
At the state department. it was said
that all that had been done toward add
ing to the strength of the force which
General Chafee viii command had been
confined to the adoption Of measures
looking to the touching at some con
venient cable port on the Asiatic side
of the Pacific of such of the regular army
regiments as are despatched to the Phil
ippines to relieve the volunteer troops |
there in order that they might be divert |
ed to China if necessary. However, not
a single additional Organization has been
ordered there, nor has there been effort |
made to hasten the movement of troops /
out to Manila for the purpose of relieving /
"a xO144v4fcoro