Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-20
Topic Discussed at the Cabinet Meet
ing Today.
PUNISHMEEFS FOR CHINESE BOXERS
Instructions to Be Sent to Minis
ter Conger.
Nj r. S \ RG ENT DECLINES

tnde OF this government regarding the pun
1shment Of the Boxer leaders, the ring
leader being Prince Tuan. This government
some time ago Joined with the other gov
ernments interested in China in demanding
that the leaders of the insurrection should
be adequately punished. In an edict issued
Novembe' 13 the Chinese emperor fixed the
punishment of the eleven chief offenders
rms punishment consisted in some cases of
alleged banishment and in others of reduc-
ton of rank and salaries. A telegram from
fekln represents the foreign ministers there
as believing the punishment farce Ii
hung Chang is also pictured as pressing
for the acceptance of the terms of the edict
as satisfactory and as indicating that his
own position may be jeopardized If he does
not succeed in having the edict passed as
suif1clent. The ministers are said to be de-
batng the question of insisting on their
respective governments demanding that the
most guilty offenders be beheaded They
hold the view that this is the only punish-
ment that will impress the Chinese with the
earnestness of the nations that are irving
TO settle affairs in the eastern kingdom
Instructions to Go to Mr.. COneer
1t is understood that Minister Conger has
probably acquainted this government with
the opinion of the ministers and asked for
instructions. Whether he did this or not.
instructions will be sent him regarding this
matter. He will be informed that the United
States Is opposed to insisting upon so Sc
we're punishment unless it is fully certain
that the Chinese government is strong
enough to carry out its orders The fact is
pointed out that the eleven princes and
snet Slictais under condemnation are among the
most powerful in the kingdom of China
Ihey are so strongly backed that II NAV
be impossible for the existing weak govern
meht TO enforce even the punshments that
nave peeh ordered 1t is shown here that
an emperor might have serious trouble. and
even meet failure, in attempting to behead
eleven such powerful men. particularly in a
nation where the greatest reverence is
SHOWN for rank and power among all
classes. This might be difficult it is said
in time when there peace and order
ana when the people We're not SO fully in
favor of the condemned men,
1t Is also suggested that the nations NAV
go too far. and later be compelled to change
'front.' which would in itself be a victory for
the 'hlnese This government does not
know what may be the position of the
other governments on the matter and prob
ably will not stand out alone in this posi-
ton. 1t merely hopes that the other ma
uons VIII see the matter in the same light,
SO that there may be unanimity of action
The position of this government is not
taken from humane motives. but solely be-
cause 1T recognizes the difficulty of the
Chlnese government in putting into execu-
uon the sentence that the ministers them
gested that in this country, under almost
similar circumstances, it would be prac-
dcally Impossible, for, as strong govern
ment as our own to enforce a sentence so
severe on men of the same standing as
those who are marked for vengeance in
China.
The President and his cabinet talked
about the coming message to Congress and
about several appointments.
Mr.. Sargent Declines.
ic otn1 aA ton,
the chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen has decided to accept no office in
Washington or under the government He
had talk with the President yesterday
afternoon and again last night, and the
President offered him position here pre-
sumably that of chief of the bureau Of en-
craving and printing, where Mr.. Sargent's
talents would be best shown and appre-
ciated. Mr.. Sargent has decided that he
will remain with the organization that he
has conducted so successfully for many
years. The President would have been
glad to have had him here.
Before the cabinet met this morning the
President had several visitors who called
to pay their respects These included Rep
resentative Berry of Kentucky. Represen-
tatiVe BroWnloW of Tennessee, Collector
Bidweli of the port of New York and c. B.
Hart. the United States minister to CO.
lombia. Mr. Hart says that Colombia is
prospering and is developing her mineral
anu di ieSouICeS
Facts Regarding the Philippines,
Among the callers on the President yes
terday was Prof Albert Bushnell Hart,
head of the division of history and political
science at Harvard University. He was in
t,cduced by Secretary Long, and his pur-
pose was to present plans Of a committee
which has been organized to obtain and
publish the facts relative to the Philippine
problem. The association back Of this COM
mittee. it Is stated, includes citizens in
various parts OF the country, in business
and professional life, who, Prof. Hart says,
feel that the so-eaIIed Philippine questions
have been befogged by the mass of the
testimony, and that great public service can
b. accomplished by collecting and publish
ing the official materials bearing on this
subject. In recent speeches and public
papers much use has been made of extracts
from the correspondence of military naval
and diplomatic officers the full text Of
documents which make their way slowly
throughout the country, and hence are not
readily accessible to those who desire to
get at the facts. This committees desire
is to place judicious selection from this
mass of material before the public Its
purpose is said to be entirely separate from
any propaganda and the documents are
to be printed they stand without note or
comment or implication. No attempt will
be made either to show up or to defend any
individual or course of action. he asso-
porters of the administration during the
recent campaign. and specifically of it's
Philippine policy, and also others who are
iE a waiting attitude before making up
their minds.
Engraving Bureau DirectOrshfp.
The action of Mr.. Sargent again leaves
open the fight for chief of the bureau of
engraving and printing. In some circles
the appointment is now believed to lie be-
tween Mr.. Sullivan, the acting chief, and
Capt. Meredith of Chicago. former chief
of the bureau, and now the head of a big
engraving plant in Chicago. Capt Mere
dith is still in Washington and was at the
White House today. His friends consider
that his chances have greatly improved
with declination of Mr.. Sargent Mr.
Meredith, by reason of his former service
and the fact that he is veteran soldier
is eligible to reappointment without waiv-
ing the formalities of the civil service So
is Mr.. Sullivan eligible. He has risen by
degrees to his present position. At the
Treasury Department there is high opin-
ion of Mr.. Sullivan, whose fitness for the
position is universally recognized. Mr. Sui
livan's selection would be In line with Sec
retary Cages ideas Of promotion for merit.