The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-30
TALK WAS OF CHINA
THE CABINET SPENT TEE DAY IN A
SPECIAL MEETING.
WRESTLING WITH PROBLEMS.
PLAN FOR CLEARING AWAY UNCER-
TAINTY WAS COMPLETED.


GestiOn for Conference of the
Powers Is Made-Germany's AtH-
tude Expressed in the Message
of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Washington, Aug. pa special meet
ing of the cabinet, lasting all day and
broken only by short recess for lunch
II, marked the intense interest the ad-
ministration fees in the Chinese prob
lem. The Diplomatic, and not the mill
tary phase of the situation in China, was
under consideration.
Last evening Assistant Secretary Adee
and the French charge, NJ. Thebault,
compared the French and American cop
les of the cre edendals of Ii Hung Chang.
To-day Mr.. Adee had long talks with
Mr.. Wu and the German charge, and the
substance of these conversations he laid
before the cabinet 1t is understood that
the cabinet to-day completed a plan for
Gearing away much OF the uncertainty
now existing as to the future in China,
and outlined its views in writing.
The fact that the military situation is
admitted to be of secondary importance
confirms the view, though no cabinet Of
dcer would vouchsafe information on this
point that what is sought is an agree
ment among the Powers for terminating
the indefinite status of affairs in China.
u is believed that the point has been
reached where it is proper that there
should be a clear expression of purpose
on the part of the principal Powers, in
order that the United States government
- or apt
" in the execution of the common pro-
gramme.
Objects Sought by the United States.
Most Of the objects had in view by the
President, when he made answer to the
Chinese governme nts appeal in the be-
ginning of the campaign on Pekin, have
been achieved. Two others remain to be
secured. namely the safeguarding of
American in erests for the future and
some proper guarantee for indemniica-
ton for the expenses of recent operations
and losses of American citizens. Some
pan by which these objects can be OBJ
taired by The United States, in common
with similar objects by the other Powers
ergsged in China, Is thought feasible
incidental to this main purpose, several
phases of the problem ere a attracting spe-
cial attention. Thus the sutficiency of
Ii Hung Charg's cred ntials as peace
envoy or rather of the ability of the
Emperor cf China to accredit any one
thus is matter OF International consid-
Grafton. The United States not only must
Il satisfied with Lis competency, but
must convey solid assurance on that point
To convince some of the other Powers,
the purposes of which. perhaps, would
not be best served by speedy ternllha-
ton of hostilities in China
1t was the general understanding that
the outcome of to-day's cabinet meeting
would be the adoption of a policy by the
administration that would tend to simpll-
fy these issues and at least bring to a
focus the varying aspirations of the Pow
ers If this cannot be done, then the
question 10 be determined is whether or
not the United States shall proceed fur
ther. hand in hand with the allied forces.
It is believed that this matter is very
near the decision our determination de-
pending Upon the responses made by Eu-
ropean nations TO our inquiries
Conference Suggested.
The suggestion that conference be held
of the nations represented in China is
again revived as an accompaniment Of
this purpose. and it is pointed out
that with Special Commissioner
Rockhill, Just about arriving on
Chinese soil. with Won Mumm Schwartz
enstein, the German successor to Baron
Won Ketteler. already in China, with the
minister's residence at Pekin, and with
the high military and naval officials in
the Pei Ho valley, the material is al
ready at hand for the gathering of a con-
ference fully equipped to deal with even
SO complex and difficult a problem as is
presented in the settlement of China's fu-
ture.
Theer are hopes that communication
with Pekn, very much delayed of late
will be better soon. Consul Fowler at
rnf Ill fRh
to-day of current date, and the Navy De-
partment has been informed that the ca
BILE company's ship was about ready 10
leave Shanghai to-day to lay direct ca
BILE connecting Shanghai with Che Foo
of the weakest links in the chain of
communication at present. These improv-
ed conditions to the opening of commu-
nication between our military and naval
commanders and the authorities here have
made it possible for the latter to abandon
the purpose conceived yesterday of en-
ploying naval vessels to convey by water
messages between Shanghai and Che Foo
The Attitude of Germany.
The attitude Of Germany was the sub
sect of much official discussion during the
day, and considerable new light was
thrown upon it. Early in the day the
German charge daffaires. Baron Speck
Won Sternberg, had long conference with
Secretary Adee. 1t is understood that any
question which may have arisen as 10 the
future course of Germany Is met by
reference to an official note by Count Won
Buelow, German minister of foreign af-
fairs issued on July 12 which fully de-
fines Germany's purposes in China. This
note OF the German chancellor followed
within ten days of Secretary Hays note
TO the Powers on July 3, and is somewhat
analogous i'm setting forth Germans in
tentons. Count Won Buelow's note said:
"Our aim is the restoration of security
for persons and property, freedom Of ac-
toin for German subjects in China, the
rescue OF the foreigners beleaguered In
Pekln. the ro-esta blishment Of security
and regular conditions under a properly
organized Chinese government, and repa-
ration and satsfa ction for the outrages
committed We desire no partition Of
China and seek no special advantages
The imperial government is imbued with
the conviction that the maintenance pf
toe agreemcn. between the Powers Is a
primary coldf lon for the restoration Of
peace and order 80 China"
There IL reason for believing that Ger
many holds to-day that the foregoing dec
taration is as effective - when ~ was
nrsi enuncidted, and thot any present con
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