Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-22
THE WHITE HOUSE
An Extended Conference With Secre-
taries Root and Adee.
CHINESE SITUATION DISCUSSED
If Fighting Continues Congress
May Be Called.
NO CALLERS RECEIVED

The great importance attached to the Chi
nese situation by the administration was
shown today in an extended conference at
the White House While Minister Wu wait
ed for hours at the State Department As
ststant Secretary Adee remained with the
President and Secretary of War, going over
the situation. Mr.. Adee and Secretary Root
went to the White House before 10 o'clock
Minister WI was at the State Department
about the same time. IT was long after II
o'clock when Mr.. Adee left the White House
for his department. Secretary Root did not
go with him. The many newspaper men on
duty at the Executive Mansion felt sure
that Secretary Root would go away by the
time for the Presidents lunch and would
have something to say That hour. 1:3O
o'clock. rolled around without Mr. Root and
the next announcement was that he had
gone to lunch with the President. He re-
manned at lunch with the President an hour
or more.
Importance of the Conference.
There has not been since the Spanish war
a conference of such length and evidently
of such Importance The fact that some
grave matter was under discussion was
manifest by the long time In which the
participants We're together. Any ordinary
matter is quickly decided by the Presi-
dent and no great time is required. But
the Chinese problem is one requiring more
study as 1t grows more intricate, and the
officials of the administration recognize this
more fully each moment
A rumor that the President had under
consideration the matter of calling Con-
greSs in extra session was set afioat, but
this was disposed of by the positive state
ment that such thing mentioned
by any of those present. There is con-
viction. however. that the President will
decide soon that Congress must deal with
the question. particularly if fighting con-
tfnues. Should fighting cease and the Chi
nese really seek terms of peace Congress
will not be necessary and would really be
in the way, 1t is held.
From the best information obtainable II
Is believed that the conference related
largely to the full answer to be sent to Ii
Hung Chang. The general tenor OF that
answer was given In The Star yesterday:
but the question today was the wording OF
the note and the effect the position taken
would have all around. There is also the
important question whether the troops in
Pekn are safe themselves, and whether
they may not soon be surrounded and put
in jeopardy.
No Callers Received.
The President did not receive any callers
during the day despite the fact that there
were many people tn see him. He will be
so busy before going TO Chicago that he
will receive no callers tomorrow and FRI
day. except those having the most urgent
official business. He will devote all OF his
time to going over dispatches from China
and to issuing instructions.
A local delegation of colored ministers
called at the White House this morning to
see the President, but failing in this. left
with Secretary Cortelyou a petition recon-
mending the appointment of Theodore
Baker as justice of the peace for the judi
cial district of Brightwood to fill the va
cancy the petition states, caused by the
removal of 7. A. Duffy to an Office in the
down part of the city. The matter will not
be acted upon at the present.
John Shaw. a prominent politician OF the
tenth Massachusetts district was also at
the White House. He expresses the opin-
ion that the republicans will reclaim two
of the districts held by the democrats from
that state this year. and that the only DEM
ocrat from Massachusetts will be Repre-
sentative Fitzgerald.
The "CIk'' Dramatic Club of Brooklyn
called at the White House, but failed to
see the President account of the long
conference