The Portland daily press., 1900-08-25
America Will Oppose
Partition Empire.
A Request For Conference of
Powers May Be Made.

Washington, August 24.-The Chinese
situation developed little Of Importance
today. 1t is stated frankly by the ofIic-
ials IN the state. war and navy depart
ments that no dispatches have been re-
ceived bearing on the problem which has
yet to be solved, namely the dispos1ti on
OF China affairs at the hands of the
powers In the absence of other food
for speculation, the receipt of two casual
atty lists from General Chaffee dated at
Tien Tsin, were made the basis for a re-
port that he and the American force
had evacuated Pek IN. It was stated at
the war department, however, that no
advices have been received indicating
that General Chaffes had left Pekin and
1t was said he would have advised the
war department and given his reasons
for doing SO had he contemplated such
an important s tep.
A cabinet officer is authority for the
statement that alleged differences among
the powers brought on by the reported
action of Russia have not disturbed
this government in the least and there
is no information in possession of the
EOf fCIAluC44u b44esD 4eUoc1ds 1Atlb OCC4dICQ
war or that she is pursuing a course in
any way Different from that of other
governments represented in China. It
was also said that the statements re
garding Russia had not received consid-
Grafton at the meeting of the cabinet to-
day.
Regarding the attitude of this govern
ment in case serious differences among
thu powers should arise. as to their fu-
ture course in China, it was stated on
authority today that this government
remained opposed to any territorial di-
vision of China was as plainly stated
in Secretary Hays note or July 3rd.
Every. resource of diplomacy will be ex-
hausted to prevent Partition of the en-
pire and it was said that the diversion
OF American troops to Manila already
announced by the war department. was
practical ey idence to the OJher powers of
the good faith of the United States in
this matter Our work in China has
been accom- plished in large part by the
relief of the legations and our further
obligation, that OF aiding to restore and
maintain peace, can be accomplished
through the troops already on Chinese
soil 1t is pointed out, however, that In
view of the attitude already assumed by
has had in opening the way to Pekin
this government Is in position to de-
mand commercial freedom in China as
IA minimum condition Of the final settle-
ment in the event of territorial division
Of the Chinese empire, should that be
course wants no territory and it is felt
that her rights as to commercial freedom
are too clear to be gain-said by the 9TH
er nations.
After the cabinet meeting today there
was q conference In which Secretary
Root and Acting Secretary Adee partici-
pated 1t related TO Chinese affairs and
it was said to be confined largely to con-
siderfng messages received from other
powers on the subject and In drafting an
swers to them. The suggestion that the
powers be asked to participate in q con-
ference or to give some indication of fu-
ture purposes in China, was believed to
be under consideration and it was inti-
mated that notes to the different powers
have been prepared,
Secretary Root said, at the close Of the
conference that it related to matters
which need the consideration OF the Presi-
dent and covered the wide field of Chi
nese affairs. He said chat nothing had
developed of serious nature in the late
reports from China. 1T was also stated
that the United States government is in
frequent communication with the other
| powers Ie8dIulHS Ull0 OuluSeo elbudO1O1t
During the afternoon Acting Secretary
Anee had q conference with the acting
chief OF the bureau OF navigation, the
nature of which was not made public. 1t
was said In the navy department., howey-
or, that as far as known here, we have
no warship at Annoy. The Princeton has
touched there occasionally while on duty
in south Chinese waters but she is
thought to be now in the vicinity OF
Shanghai. Dispatches were prepared in
the navy department for trapsmission to
Admiral Remey and although not made
public are understood to have contained
Consul JOhnson's despatch regarding
Haokett said. however, that no warsh1p
had been ordered to Annoy and thathe had
no KNOWLEDGE that any ship had been
sent there If su oh a step was taken, he
said, it would be by Admiral Hemey,
who has entire liberty as to the disposi.
/ q - .-..l.-