The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-25

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The position of the United States in
China. as declared in the notes made
public Sunday, is receiving the earnest
Consideration of the other powers
and their representatives here. 1t Is
looked upon as sort Of turn
ing point in the negotiations, on
which the alignment of the sew
eral countries will be determined and
their programmes framed. There has
been no word. however. from any of the
concerning their views of
the American positions. and it is expect
ed that some days will elapse before any
new move is made There is reason 10
believe that the American note was con-
sidered at Berlin Sunday by those chief
in authority. but this has brought no
positive developments thus far.
The Chinese minister has not heard
from Ii Hung Chang or Prince Ching
since the purposes of this government
were made known to them. Minister WI
continues TO express the earnest hope
that the United States will take the lead
in bringing about a settlement. Aside
China. the minister says ii would estlo-
lish lasting bonds between this country
and China. and would pave the way cor
treaty relations of the most advantageous
character for American commercial in
terests.
Language Of the Instructions.
In accordance with the statement made
TO Germany, to the effect that the United
States government is about to authorize
Mr.. Conger to enter forthwith into con-
ference with tie duly authorized repre-
sentatives of the Chinese government
with a view to bringing about a prelinl-
nary agreement. Acting Secretary Of
State Hill spent some time Sunday franz
ing the direction 20 Mr.. Conger. In view
of the peculiarly delicate nature of the
task to be cOnfided to Mr.. Conger. this
is a work requiring much thought.
The language of the note. protesting to
state what Mr.. Conger is to do is unusrl-
al, and seems generally to indicate that
he is really about to undertake TO bring
the powers and China together: IN actu-
ality he is to serve as a mediator In part
at least. He presumably will arrange
with the Chinese representatives, Ii
Hung Chang and Prince Ching, as 10 the
place where they are willing TO meet the
representatives of the powers and dis
cuss a final settlement and try to fix up-
on certain broad principles that shall
govern the conference. This programme
must be submitted to the powers 10 as
certain If they are willing to accept it,
IL SO. then ii may be that something in
the nature of a joint international peace
commission will deal with the Chinese
representatives
Must Then Negotiate Aione.
Should the powers, or any Of them. re-
ject such a programme as Mr.. Conger
may be able to frame, then it appears
that there will be nothing for the United
States TO do but to proceed with the final
negotiations on its own account, taking
steps to make sure that no subsequent ac-
tion of the dissenting powers negatives
any of the results secured by our COM
mlssioners in the settlement directly with
China.
Ii is already understood, as stated in
The Post Saturday. that Gen. Chaffee's
military force will be reduced TO about
800 men, This contingent, being specially
known as a legation guard, will not be
subject to the orders OF any one save the
United States Minister resident, as made
known through the senior American mill
taTy commander, either Gen Cnaffee or
Gen. Wilson, probably the latter. and nor
being part of the allied military forces
will not be under the command of German
Field Marshal Count Waldersee. The or
ders for the reduction are still in process
of perfection.
The Navy Department is doing eyerv-
thing in its power TO expedite the dis
patch of the ships which the government
mas decided to send to the Asiatic Station
to re-enf0rce our feet there. The Will
mington, attached to the South Atlantic
Station, has sailed from PALMYRA for
Montevideo, where she will coal and nro-
eeed Immediately to China, by Wav of the
Mediterranean. The cruiser Albany. now
at Piraeus, Greece, was yesterday order
ed TO proceed to Manila. The other ships
selected for service in Asiatic waters
the battle-ship Kentucky. the gunboats
Annapolis and Vicksburg and the con-
yerted yacht DOrothea-are In American
waters. They will be put in frst-elass
trim for foreign service All will go into
dry dock at once. The Kentucky will 20
into dock al New York. where she ar
rived yesterday the Vieksburg has bepn
ordered TO the Boston dock. and Yesterday
the Dorothea went into dock at League
Island. and the Annapolis AT Norfolk
Ihey VIII De thoroughly overhauled.
Month Required for Repairs.
The ships are in excellent repair, and
the overhauiing viii not require much
time except in the case OF the Annabolis
which has been used as a training-shlD
and which must nov be fitted out for
active service. But even in her case the
Navy Department estimates that not over
month VIII be required. II is expected
that all the vessels will have arrived at
their destination by December l.
With the addition OF these six ships. the
United States feet ia Asiatlc waters will
consist OF thlrty-four vessels. by far the
largest American feet ever employed on
strictly foreign service. Rear Admiral
hemey Will remain In command Of The
American naval forces in the East and
probably viii make the port OF Manila
his principal headquarters. The feet will
be divided into two divisions. the a.st
cruising In the Philippines, 70 be under
the direct command Of Admiral Rerev
and the second. which will confine fis
cruising 10 Chinese waters will be con-
manGed by Rear Admiral Kempff. Who Il
the second ranking officer on the stati,a.
Minister wH's Guards - Ithdrawn.
The detectives who have been on dut.,
at the Chinese legation for about two
months yesterday returned 10 headaIar-
ters. there being no further necessity. IN
the judgment OF Mai. Sylvester. chief Of
police. and Mr. Wa, for their presence
al the Minister'S residence. IL Is under
stood that as soon az the condition Of
affairs In China will admit OF IL. Minister
Wa Will visit Peru. 10 which country he
also Is the accredited representative OF
his government.