Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-30

ClaI meeting OF ule CABINET IdSLlIp ali
day, and broken only by a short recess
for Luncheon, marked the intense
interest the administration feels in the
Chinese problem.
1t was the longest cabinet session Of
tie present administration.
The diplomatic and not the military
phase of the situation in China was
under consideration and lis accounted
for the presence of Acting Secretary
Adee, very unusual proceeding at a
CABINET meeting.
Mr.. Adee is the medium through
which foreign governments communi-
cate and he has been in receipt OF a
good many statements recently.
Last evening, he ana the French
Charge, Mr.. Thiebaut, compared the
French and American copies OF the Gre
dentials Of Lii Hung Chang. To-day ne
had long talks with Minister WI and
the German Charge and the substance
of these conversations he laid before
the cabinet. 1t is understood that the
cabinet to lay completed preparation
of plan for clearing away much Of
the uncertainty that now exists as to
the future of China and outlined its
views IN writing.
The fact that the military situation is
admrJted TO be OF secondary importance
confirms the view, though no cabinet
officer would vouchSafe information on
this point. What is sought is an agree
ment among the powers for terminal
ing the indefinite status of affairs in
China. 1t is believed that the point
has been reached where it is proper tina.
ttnere should be clear explanation Of
purpose on the part OF une principal
powers in order that the United States
government may know how far it may
go consistently in the exploitation OF
the common programme.
Most OF the Objects
had in view by the President when he
made answer to the Chinese govern
ment's appeal, and began the campaign
upon PekIng, have been achieved, but
two others remain to be secured, name
ly, the safeguarding of American in
terescS for Une future ana some proper
guarantee for indemniiication for The
expense for recent operations and losses
of American citizens.
Some plan by which these objects
can be attained by the United States
in common with similar objects by
the other powers interested in China is
thought feasible.
Incidental to this main purpose sew
eral phases of the problem are attract
ing special attention. Thus the sufti-
cheney Of Ii Hung Changs credentials
as peace envoy or rather OF the abil-
ity OF the Emperor of China to accredit
any one thus, is a matter of interna-
tional consideration.
The United States not only must sat
isfy itself of LIS competency but it
must onvey solid assurances on that
point to convince some of the other
powers, the purposes of which per-
haps would not be best served by a
speedy termination of hostilities in
China.
1t was the general understanding that
the outcome of to-days cabinet meet
ing would be the adoption OF a policy
by the administration that would tend
W SllIplllg TIC loouNS, anu at ANfloI
bring to a focus the varying aspirations
of the powers. If this cannot De done
then the question to be determined is
whether or not the United States shall
proceed further with the allied forces.
1t is believed that this point is very
near a decision, our determination de-
pending upon the responses
Made by European Nations
to our inquirer. The suggestion that
a conference be held of the nations rep
resented in China is again revived as an
accompaniment of this purpose, and it
is pointed out that with Special Com
missioner Rockhill just about arriving
on Chinese soil, with Herr Won
Schwartzenstein, the German successor
to Won Ketteler, already in China, with
the ministers resident at Pekin and
with the high military and naval Off
Gals in the Pei Ho valley. the oppor-
tunity Is already at hand for the gath
ering OF a conference fully equipped to
deal with even so complex and difficult
a problem as Is presented in the settle
ment of Chinas future.
There are hopes that communication
with China, very much delayed of late
will be better soon. Consul Fowler, at
Che Foo, got a routine despatch
Through to-day of recent date, and the
Navy Department has been informed
that the cable company's ship was
about TO leave Shanghai to-day to lay
a direct cable connecting Shanghai with
Che Foo-one OF the weakest links in
the chain OF communication at present
These improved conditions as to the
operating of communication between
our military and naval commanders
and the authorities here have made it
possible for the latter to abandon the
purpose conceived yesterday OF employ
ing naval vessels 10 convey by water
messages between Shanghai and Che
Foo.
The attitude OF Germany was the
subject of much official discussion dur
ing the day, and considerable new light
was thrown upon 1t. Early in the day
the German charge de'affairs, Baron
Won Sternberg. had a long conference
with Acting Secretary Adee. 1t is I'M
derstood that any question which may
have arisen as TO the future course of
Germany is met by reference to an
official
Note by Count Won BueIoy.
German Minister of Foreign Affairs.
issued on July II, which fully defined
Germany's purpose in China. This
note Of the German Chancellor fol-
lowed within ten days Of Secretary