Evening star., 1900-09-26
The State Department Holds That It
Has Been Consistent.
OBJECT FOR WHICH TROOPS WERESENF
Principles Laid Down ir the Note
Of July 8.
p L A n S u N G. III A N Ct E ID


certain to follow refusal on the part of
Germany and some Of the other continental
powers to enter into negotiations for a set
tlement with China Is regarded here as JUS
tifying the decision of the State Depart
ment to withdraw the American troops.
The object for which these troops were
sent into China, and, in fact the full pur-
pose of the United States In this matter,
was completely set out in the note Of Sec
retary Hay Of July 3, and the State De-
partment officials contend that they have
steadfastly adhered without deviation to
the principles laid down in that note and
that consequently there IS no foundation for
the charge of Inconsistency brought against
the department by some Of the European
press. The department has held from the
first that state Of war did not exist with
the Chinese government, and 1t obtained the
assent of every one of the powers to that
proposition. 1t still does not believe there
Is sufficient ground for changing that posi-
ton, and refuses to be drawn into war with
out such ground. 1t has apprehended for
some time past that, inspired by different
motives from our own. 1t might come to
pass that one of the powers and perhaps
more, would break away from the concert
on that point and deliberately plunge into
war with China. So the action taken in the
case of the instruction to Gen. Chaffee may
be regarded one Of the precautionary
measures which our government has taken
to avoid being entangled in any such war.
Our Attitude Defined.
The circular note of Secretary Hay sent
out July follows:
"In this critical posture Of affairs in
China 1t Is deemed appropriate to define the
attitude of the United States as far as pres
ent circumstances permit this to be done.
We adhere to the policy initiated by in
49, rv,tx th< Nf
furtherance Of lawful commerce, and of
protection Of lives and property OF our c.ti
zens by all means guaranteed under ex-
tra-territorial treaty rights and by the law
of nations. If wrong be done to our citi-
zens, we propose to hold the responsible
authors to the uttermost accountability.
We regard the condition at Pekin as one of
virtual anarchy, whereby power and re-
sponsibility is practically devolved upon the
local provincial authorities. So long as
they are not in overt collusion with re-
belHon and use their power to protect for
eign life and property, we regard tnem as
representing the Chinese people, with whom
we seek to remain in peace and friend
ship.
"The purpose of the President is, as it
has been heretofore, to act cOncurrently
with the other powers. first in opening up
communication with Pekin and rescuing the
American officials, missionaries and other
Americans who are in danger; secondly, in
affording all possible protection everywhere
In China to American life and property;
thirdly, in guarding and protecting all
legitimate American interests, and fourth
ly, in aiding to prevent spread Of the dis
orders to the other provinces of the empire
and a recurrence of such disasters 1t Is
of course, too early to forecast the means
of attaining this last result, but the policy
of the government of the United States is
to seek a solution which may bring about
permanent safety and peace in China pre-
serve Chinese territorial and administra-
tive entity, protect all rights guaranteed to
friendly powers by treaty and internati tional
law. and safeguard for the world the prin-
ciple of equal and impartial trade with all
parts of the Chinese empire.
You will communicate the purport Of
this instruction to the minister of foreign
affairs. HAY"
This circular instruction embodies the
views to which this government has strict
ly adhered from the beginning of the Chi
nese troubles.
Effect of German Action.
What effect, If any. declaration of war
upon China by Germany alone or in ali-
ance, upon China, would have upon the
negotiations which Mr.. Conger has in hand
can only be conjectured. Mr.. Conger was
to arrange the preliminaries for a meeting
between the representatives of the powers
and China with view to eYecting a har-
monious settlement. His action was not
to be mandatory in any sense upon any
power, and each was free to reject the
f1t A failure of Mr.. Conger's efforts would
not, it is believed, involve much charge in
the American program. Our government
would simply be obliged to deal directly
with China with view to the protection of
our own interests abandoning any further
efforts to bring the powers into harmony in
the settlement.
Military Plans Unchanged.
AS to the military plans already laid
down, they will remain unchanged 1t Is
said here. If the beligerent power or
powers seize upon Pekin the American
minister will still remain there and Gen.
Chaffee's legation guard will remain with
him silent observers of what goes on, but
taking no part in the war. The power in
possession can find no valid objection to
the presence of this legation guard. At
Constantinople the legations and embassies
all have their cavasses, or legation guards,
and while they are not numerous, the prin-
ciple is recognized and mere numbers does
not affect II.
1t is believed that General Chaffee being
at Tien Tsin, has by this time received the
instructions cabled him yesterday relative
to the reduction Of his force in China. II
he returns to Pekin to execute the order 1t
will be Monday at least before he can be-
gin the movement toward Tien Tsin. 1t Is
believed that with a view to preventing any
possible misunderstanding he has already
acquainted the military representatives of
the powers at Tfen Tsin of the projected
withdrawal Of the American forces This
Is deemed more necessary because Of the
possibility of the appearance Of Field Mar
shall Waldersee at Taku or Tien Tsin at
any moment. 1t is desirable that the
change of the status of the American troops
shall have taken place before he appears on
the scene.
The Orders to Chafee.
The text of the orders to General Chaffee
for the withdrawal of United States troops
from China, with the exception of a '.lega-
ton guard is as follows:
"Adjutant Generals Department.
Washington. d. c., September 25.
ITO General Chaffee, Pekin:
September %, No. Al. Pending nerotia
ticns for a settlement, the Secretary of
War directs that legation guard Of a
regiment of infantry, four troops of cayai-
ry. with rapid-fire guns and light battery.
with complete equipment and reserve sun
ply of ammunition adequate for any emer-
gency, be retained in Pekin under your com
mand, and that you send the remainder of
your force In China to Manila to report to
Macarthur. The guard should he amply
provisioned. ETC., until navigation opens NEXT
spring. Retain such officers for star ti,I-
ties as you deem necessary: all others of
whatever corps or department will be sent
to Macarthur for duty as soon as possible