The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-20
A MORE HOPEFUL FEELING
As to Chinese Situation-Cabfnet Meet
ing-To Rush Forward Reinforce
ments.

Washington, July IA decidedly
more hopeful feeling with regard 10
the Chinese situation was apparent in
all administration circles this evening.
The tide of sentiment, which has been
markedly peSSimiStic, turned with the
announcement of the victory Of the
allies at Tien Tsin and the capture OF
the forts and native city and gathered
further strength from Minister Wu's
cablegram declaring that the foreign
ministers at Pekin were safe July 9Th.
Aside from these dispatches, the ar
rival of the president and the special
cabinet meeting called to consider the
situation were the features of the day.
The cabinet met at 2:30 O'Clock this
afternoon, less than an hour after the
president reached the White house.
Over 100 ~wspa men thronged the
corridors while the cabinet was sitting
behind closed doors. The scene reSem-
bled the hottest days of the Spanish
war. There We're present Secretary
Hay, Secretary Root, Secretary Long
Secretary Gage and m Cen
eral Smith.
THE ACTION OF THE CABINET.
At the conclusion of the session,
which lasted two and one-half hours.
Secretary Roo gave out the following
formal statement of the action of the
cabinet,
THE president has determined hat
the facts now known to US do not re-
quire or justify calling an extra ses-
sion of congress. Should future devel-
opnents Indicate that he is unable TO
do what is required with the mean
10Y ait his command, and the action Of
congress is necessary TO furnish either
men or money or authority he will not
hesitate to call it together"
While only this meagre formal state
ment was given out it was aScertained
that the whole Chinese situation was
thoroughly discussed by the cabinet.
The decision that an extra session IS
not demanded by existing conditions
was the outcome of the showing which
both Secretary Root and Secretary
| Long were able to make as TO the force
that can be thrown into China without
the authorization of additional troops
by congress and also the decidedly
more hopeful feeling entertained by
THE president and the members of his
cabinet as to the safety of Minister
COnger, and the other foreigners in
Pekin, due to the cable of Minister WI,
reporting the safety OF the ministers
July 9th, two days after their reported
massacre.
AUTHENTIC NEWS AS TO EVENTS
IN PEKIN EXPECTED.
While this cable is not regarded as
conclusive, it is accepted in good faith
for the present; but the administration,
1T can be definitely stated. has set in
motion some machinery by which il
is confidently predicted absolutely an
thentic news as to the fate of our min
listers and the other foreigners at Pc
kin will be aScertained. what
channe the administration Expects &c
receive this all important news q not
known, but that a definite statement
of the situation in Pekin is daily,if not
hourly, expected can be stated witt
the utmost possitiveness.
The advices received from peki
probably will be the determining FAC
tor in blazing the future course OF this
government. If Minister Conger has
been murdered an extra session of con-
gress seems inevitable.
Admiral Remey's message Of the
[ success following the earlier hard
5 fighting at Tien Tsin helped TO relieve
the anxiety of the president and hE
advisers, but Minister Wuis messagt
: was responsible for the really hopeful
: feeling that prevailed.
Secretary Root furnished to the cab
met a summary of tire troops available
not only in this country but in Cubs
! and gave it as his opinion that between
[ 10. 600 and 1900 troops in all could b.
spared for service in China
: TO RUSH REINFORCEMENTS.
These achievements are to be rush
ed through at the earliest possible mo
ment Most, IL not ali of them, It i
believed can be landed by the end O
= August or early in September. Ont
cabinet officer said tina beyond tn
/, soldiers already destined for China
= from the Philippines 10 further troops
o h islands would be
unless h situation became much NOR
ominouS.
In figuring upon the number OF ad
, ditional marines available Secrecar.
Long summoned to the cabinet meetini
General Haywood, who tn
{ marine corps and who is familiar wit
Z every detail OF that branch OF the Ser
. vice. He explained that under exist
u ing law h full strength or the marin
corps is 5000; but the enlistments a
e the present time aggregate only abou
9 5000. This makes an additional 100
marines who a De brought into ser