Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-17
EXCITEMENT AT WASHINGTON.

Washington. July 16.-The decision
of the administration at the end of n
most cventful day is, that the United
States government is still not at war
with the government of China. The
big happenings at Tien Tsin. coming
on the top of the stories of the last
struggles at Pekin have not affected
the attitude of the administration on
this point. the United States and
China are technically at peace.
But this statement should not be &C
cepted as indicating a purpose on the
part Of the United States government
to hold it, hand in the administration
of swift ana adequate punishment up
on the Chinese. without regard to sta
ton. who may b. responsible for the
outrages Of the past few weeks.
1t means simply that the government
of the United States feels that it can
best achieve that purpose BY regard
ing the status officially as one Of peace.
To hold otherwise would seriously Grip
pie the government in its efforts to OBJ
tain satisfaction for the outragcs the
Americans in China have suffered.
We should find closed the ports Of
China. which are now open to us and
all sorts of imped!ments would be en-
countrrcd that are now missing. There
fore. according to the administration
view, declaration of war would not
afford even a technical gain while it
would actually be drawback.
Chairman Cannon Of the House APP
preparations committee, is authority
for the statement that money in plenty
&C. ~ AZ no Silnnt a
meet the present emergency and that
there is no necessity for called SEES
sion of Congress on that score.
The day was the most exciting Wash
ington has known since the battle of
Santiago. At the very beginning came
Admiral Remey's cablegram announc-
ing the defeat of the allied forces AT
Tien Tsin and then came the vivid As
ISOLATED Press account Of the fight. A
special cabinet meeting was held on
receipt of this news with such men,
bers present as happened to be in
town. Great reluctance was manifested
on the part of the participants to
answer questions as to the nature of
the deliberations.
The best Indication Of its nature was
the departure for the White House Of
Secretary Hay Immediately after the |
meeting He had "A long talk with |
President Mckinley over the long dis |
lance telephone and it soon became |
known that the President had decided |
that it would be best for him To come |
back from Canton to the national cap |
ital.
The cabinet officers talked over the |
possibility of reinforcing the troops in |
China. There was no disposition |
shown to withhold those troops; the |
only question was as to the amount of
additional troops available.
That was a technical question, so it
was left to the war department officials
to decide The only point laid down
was that the government would send |
forward all the troops that could be
spared at this time.
One proposition discussed by the cab
met appeared to have a very practical
aspect about it. Technical men had
made objection to the further conduct
Of the Chinese campaign with an in
force without some working
as to the duties of each
If the powers represented. 1t was sug-
,ested that an international conference
be hastily called at one of the capitals
London. Berlin Paris or Washing
tOn-to define the part to be taken by
Zach power and the quota of troops to
be furnished it and to arrange for the
selection Of a in-chief of
The allied forces
This suggestion did not meet with
favorable reception. 1t was felt by the
,abinet that the United States should
send what force it could dispose of 10
'hina as far as seemed necessary and
should not make any agreement with
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