Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-07-23

Washington, July 17.-The decision
of the administration at the end of A
most eyentful day is that the United
States government is still not at war
with China. But this statement
should not be accepted as indicating
any purpose on the part of the United
States government to hold its hand in
the administration of swift and ade-
quate punishment upon the Chinese,
without regard to station, who may be
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 regarding the
status officially as one of peace. To
hold otherwise would seriously cripple
the government in efforts to obtain sat
isfaction for the outrages the Ameri-
cans in China have suffered. Chair
man Cannon of the house appropria-
lions committee is authority for the
statement that there is money in
plenty at the disposal of the president
to meet the present emergency and
that there is no necessity for calling q
session of congress. The day was the
most exciting Washington has known
since the battle of Santiago. At the
very beginning came Admiral Remey'5
cablegram announcing the defeat Of
the allied force at Tien TSin, then came
the account of the fight. A special
cabinet meeting was held on receipt of
this news with such members present
as are in town. Secretary Hay imme-
diately after the meeting had a long
talk with President Mckinley over lie
long distance telephone and the presi-
dent decided it would be best for him
to come back from Canton to the ma
tional capital. The cabinet officers
talked over the possibilities of rein
forcing the troops in China. There !
was no disposition shown to withhold |
these troops, the only question being |
to the amount of additional force avail |
able. 1t was leIt to the war depart |
ment officials to decide. Only one |
point was laid down and that was that |
the government should send forward |
all troops that could be spared at TINS |
time. 1t was gathered that reinforce
ments would be limited only by the
ability of the government to spare
troops from those commands now in
the United States and Cuba.
The general opinion was that some
where between 1000 and 5000 men
sould be shipped to the from Cuba and
the United States in addition to the
troops already under orders. A state
ment prepared by Adjutant General
Corbin shows there are now a grand
total of 1866 officers and men in
China or enroute. The available force
Of cavalry and infantry aggregates
about $1,000 Secretary Root was re-
luctant to admit there was any neces
sity for more American troops in
China and at the close of the day said
thus far he had issued no orders for
Gen. Miles was called
upon by secretary Root to counsel with
his as to projected troop movements.
He favors the prompt despatch of a
large force to hina. A good deal Of
annoyance has been caused here by the
complete misunderstanding that has
been conveyed to European nations as
to the attitude of the United States
government regarding the settlement
oof the Chinese troubles. This govern
ment it can be stated never has
thought of compromising for money or
any other form of indemnity. The |
government will insist on justice and |
retribution. Through Col. Liscum's
death Captain McCalla of the Newark, |
If ashore, is ranking American officer.