Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-20

try to Taku 1T was lmpoSsioie lor MIN 10
comply Immediately because OF the physl-
cal conditions prevailing at the time. Had
the orders for the troops been issued in the
first instance, when the troubles at Pek1n
were reported to be inevitable 1t Is more
than likely that the troops in the Philip
pines would have started before the pre-
vailing typhoon made such a step impossi-
BILE, and ere now would have neen on CHI
nese soil prepared to render efhcient as
sistance in the movement for the rei1ef OF
the foreign ministers and Christians gen
orally In Pekin.
There is every assurance that Gen. Mac
Arthur executed his instructions as prompt
ly as possible and that the delay IN the
departure of the troops was due entirely to
conditions that he could not nave antici-
pated or guarded against. He was instruct
ed to send one regiment of infantry, and
the selection was left entirely to his 5udg-
ment, being guided solely by the. necessity
for prompt action. These orders were for
warded from Washington last Friday. and
the following day a dispatch was received
from Gen. Macarthur saying that he had
arranged to send the 9th Infantry to Taku
on the transport Logan. and to forward the
necessary transportation. mules ana Wag-
ons the animal transport Port Albert.
He said that severe tYphoon prevailed,
and that it would probably prevent the de-
parture of the expedition from Manila be-
fore the oath instant, next Sunday. AS the
voyage to the Chinese coast would occupy
q weeks time, 1t was seen that 1t would be
impossible for the 9th Regiment to reach
Taku before he LIST proximo under, the
most favorable circumstances.
A Source of Regret.
This Inevitable delay has been source
of sincere regret on the part of the officials
on account of the urgent necessity that has
existed for several days past for the en-
ployment Of troops near the seat of trouble
in China. By reason Of their absence the
United States has been practically depend
ent upon the military forces of other gov
ernments for the protection of American
interests al Pekin
The few American marines and sailors
who have already been landed at points on
the Pei Ho river have undoubtedly rendered
good account of themselves and done all
that was in their power. Their number
was very small however. in comparison
with the military representations of the
other powers, and the part taken by them
in the various events of the past few days
was necessarily small and insignificant.
This state of affairs was undoubtedly due
to the hesitation of the administration to
interfere in the progress of events In China
beyond the point of safeguarding the lives
and property of American officials and citi-
Zens.
This policy was adopted at first In order
to avoid entangling alliances which might
possibly lead to dangerous complications,
but subsequent developments made 1t neces-
sary for the government to unite with the
other powers In general movement for the
protection of all foreigners, and 1t was in
accordance with this humane policy that
the American marines Joined the expedition
to Pekin and that troops were ordered to
China from the Philippines.
False Report Regarding the Thomas.
All sorts of absurd rumors are afloat in
regard to the plans of the government to
send troops to China. One of these is that
the United States transport. Thomas, with
troops for Manila, was diverted at Naga-
saki and had arrived at Taku with 12oO
men. This story came from Shanghai by
way Of London. 1t is utterly fthout foun-
oation. The fact is that the Thomas sailed
from San Francisco on the 18th instant for
Manila and is still some distance this side
of Honolulu. Her passenger list includes
I officers, % hospital corps men and 1863 re-
cruts and casuals If necessary she can
be diverted from Nagasaki when she arrives
there, in the course of the next three weeks,
only few raw recruits 1t is not at all likely
that such action will be taken.
ReinfOrcements From San Francisco.
The government is In position. however
to forward reinforcements to China from
San Francisco without the loss of much
time. as arrangements have already been
completed for the dispatch of two squad
rons of the 9Th Cavalry, numbering about
800 men. and a battalion Of Marines num-
berfng 22O men, to Manila by the transport
Grant, which Is scheduled to sail from San
Francisco about the LIST proximo. The orig
lnal intention was to send these troops to
Manila for the relief Of volunteer troops
to be brought home for discharge June 30
next. In case It is desired, 1t will be sim
pie matter to change the destination of the
Grant from Manila to Taku and by so do
ing place over 1000 well-driIIed troops at
the disposal Of the officer in command of
the American forces in China to aid in the
protection of life and property and in any
Joint undertaking found to be necessary for
the maintenance of peace and order
The Grant Is a fast shin and can make
the run between San Francisco and Taku in
about thirty days, so that in case they are
needed these troops will be available for
service IN China about the 1st of August
Their assignment to this service would serve
a double purpose. They would augment
the strength of American forces in China
and at the same time serve 10 render I'm
necessary further depletion of the garri-
sons in the Philippines, course which it
Is said. would be somewhat .enbarras ssing
TO General Macarthur in the execution of
his plans for the preservation of order in
the islands.
Harmony Among the Powers
One fact Of the utmost importance has
developed in connection with the dispatch
OF the Russian troops from Port Arthur to
Taku. This is that the Russian notice of
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China was accompanied by an assurance
that these troops were to be used in the
common interest for the assistance of Eu-
ropeans and Americans and with no pur-
pose Of territorial aggression on the part
OF Russia. This assurance was received by
the administration officials with great satis-
faction. 1t is understood that Japan, in
view Of Russia s frank declaration, will con-
sent to assume the same obligation toward
the other nations In which case the great
est obstacle to effective action. whether
concurrent or joint, by the powers in China
may be considered as removes. Tfa1s the
powers taking part in the relief movement
upon Pekin may consider themselves re-
lieved of the obligation to matnt ain an ex-
act balance in the forces employed, San al
most impossible condition at best n view
of the fact that Russia and Japan, through
their proximity to the seat of eoubles were
the only powers prepared to speedily assem-
BILE any considerable number oftroo11s upon
Chinese soil.
Lord PauncefOte SeekasNevv1.
Lord Pauncefote. tho British smbaBsador,
called at the State Departures yesterday
afternoon, and spent half an hour n con-
ference with Secretary Hay. His lSrdship
had no news from his own gosernznent be-
yond that conveyed by the pren DISPATCHES
respecting the V1eveiupnEseuts In China, and
he was particularly anxious to be informed
RS to s1se Aefafls OF tho reports1n hatt1o Sun
day morning. Unfortunately fAe State De-
partment, too. was without Information on