The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-07-17

TO withhold these troops; the only
question was as to the amount OF addI-
tional force available. That was n
technical question, SO st was left to the
wnr department officials to decide. The
only point laid down was that the gov
ernment would send forward all the
troops that could be. spared at this
time. One proposition discussed by the
cabinet appeared to have very prac-
tical aspect about It.
International Conference Suggested.
Technical men had made objection to
the further conduct of the Chinese
campaign with an international force
without some working understanding as
to the duties OF each of the powers rep
resented. 1t was suggested that an In
ternntlonal conference be called hastily
at one OF the capitals-London, Berlin.
Paris or Washington-tc define the part
to be taken by each power and the
quota of troops to be furnished 1t and
to arrange for the selection Of COM
mander-in-chi OF the allied forces.
This suggestion did not meet with q
favorable reception. 1t was felt by the
cabinet that the United States should
send what force 1t could dispose OF to
China as far US seemed necessary, and
should not make any agreement with
other powers US to the number. This
decision involves the increase Of the
force OF troops destined for China. The
responsible officials evaded any specific
statement as to the extent of this in
crease: 1t was, however, gathered that
the relnforcements would be elmited on
ly by the ability Of the government to
share troops from those commands now
in the United States and Cuba. The es-
timates varied as to how many. could be
spared. but the general opinion was
that somewhere between four thousand
and eight thousand men could be ship
ped to the east from Cuba and the
United States. in addition to the troops
already under orders.
Ten Thousand Troops in China Ser
vice.
A statement prepared by Adjutant
General Corbln shows that there .are
now grand total OF 1866 officers and
men in China. en- route to China, en-
route to Nagasaki or under orders for
Nagfiasak. This table. Of course, in
cludes the Inflated Ninth infantry,
which may not be In condition for fur
ther service. General Woods last re-
ports indicate that owing to the tram
guilty prevailing in Cuba 1t will be en-
tirely safe to decrease the military
force there quite largely.
But even with these troops, 1t will be
necessary II the cabinet plans are car
ried out to divest the home posts OF
garrison5 save In the case OF heavy
artillery organization. at ! sea coast
points. -. 5l,.3 -5 {.
Secretary Root was reluctant to ad-
nit that there was any necessity for
more American troops In China and at
the close the day he said that thus
far he had issued no orders for rein
torcements
Continuing, he said that the regi-
ments already slated for Chinese SER
vice, those now in China and those
afloat, amount to 1O,G65 men OF all arms
The war department. he said. SO far
has responded in full to every demand
made upon 1t by the Joint conference of
foreign commanders in China. It Is
possible that the estimate OF troops
needed for Chinese service will be
again increased. II so. the United
States will respond.
General Miles was called upon by
Secretary Root during the afternoon, to
counsel with him as to the projected
troop movements. He favors the
prompt dispatch of a large force to
China.