New-York tribune., 1900-08-30
THE CABINET SITS ALL DAY
NOTE DEFINING AMERICAN POLICY
N CHINA PREPARED.
Bv ne Assoctatse Pr.-s,

Washington. Aug. pa special meeting Of
the Cabinet, lasting al day and broken only by
G short recess for luncheon, marked the intense
interest the Administration feels in the Chinese
problem. L was the longest Cabinet session of
the present Administration The diplomatic and
not the military phase Of the situation in China
vas under consideration. and this accounted for
the presence Of Acting Secretary Adee, an IN
usual happening al Cabinet meeting. AIr.
Adee Is the medium through which the foreign
Governments communicate with the United
States. and ne has recently received many state
rnenIs Lest evening ne and the French Charge
d'Afaires NJ Thi5baut. compared the French
and American copies Of the credentials Of Ii
Hung Chang To-day he had long talks with
Minister WI and the German Charge d'Afaires.
and the substance OF these conversations he laid
/ fore the Cabinet
Ths session Of the Cabinet resulted in the
Formulation Of a document for transmission
: abroad- That this document is OF supreme i'm
porta'ce II defining the position Of the United
states is assumed from the prolonged and care
fU attention with which it was prepared and
considered, but no light is shed upon It's exact
character. All efforts 70 ascertain whether II
was in the nature Of reply 70 Germany or
Russia, OF 2 collective note to the Powers out
lining the policy Of the United States under the
neu conditions which have developed since the
rescue of the LEGATIONS were futile. The mem
beTs of The Cabinet pointed out the obvious i'm
proPTiery Of divulging the nature OF e diplomatic
document before il has reached the Power or
Powers 20 which II is addressed. One Cabinet
officer. however. expressed the opinion that its
contents would reach the public in few days
All manner Of speculation is being INDUCED in
as 70 its purport and contents. but it is safe to
say that the secret viii be carefully guarded
until the Government considers II proper TO
dtvulg= Il.
The fact that the military situation is ad-
rItted 70 be Of secondary importance confirms
me view although no Cabinet officer would give
any information on this point. that what is
sought Is an agreement among the Powers for
terminating the indefinite status Of affairs in
China. Il IS believed that the point has been
reached where L is proper that there should be
clear expression Of purpose on the part Of the
principal Powers. n order that the United States
Government may know how far it may go con-
siElenlIy in the execution OF The common pro-
graure Most Of the objects had in view by
TIE President when he answered the Chinese
Governments appeal and began the campaign
on Pekiug have been achieved Two others re-
main 70 De secured, namely. the safeguarding Of
American interests for the future and some
proper guarantee for indennifcation for the
expenses Of recent operations and losses Of
American citizens. Some plan by which these
Objects car Be attained by the United States, in
common with similar objects by the other
Powers engaged in China, is thought feasible
PHASES OF DIPLOMATIC PROBLEM
incidental this chief purpose. several
Phases q the problem are attracting special at
tenlion. Thus the suficiency Of Ii Hung Chang :
crece1tials IS peace envoy, or, rather, OF the
aolllty Of The Emperor Of China 70 accredit any
one thus is matter Of International considera-
Ion- The United states not only must satisfy
hsef of LIS competency, but it must convey
Eolo assurances On that point 10 convince some
O ne other Powers, the purposes Of which per
Eaps would not be best served by a speedy ter
HinatlOn u nostiIities in China It was the
general understanding that the outcome Of to
cay g Ca5in=t meeting would be the adoption of
policy oy the Administration that would tend
10 simplify these issues and, al least, 10 bring
70 focus Tie varying aspirations Of the
powers. II this cannot De done. then the ques-
h1a 10 be determined is whether or not the
United states shall proceed further hand in
hanc with the allied forces. It is believed that
ihs point Is near a decision. the determination
oePencing on the responses made by European
nations 70 the inquiries Of the United States
The suggestion that a conference be held Of
le nations represented in China is again re-