Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-09-06
A CABINET MEETING.
A. Long Session at the White House
on the Chinese Question.
The DIPLOMATIC PHASE CONSIDERED.
The Termination Of the indefinite Status
Of Affairs In China WaDted-A Confer
ence of the Powers Represent ativss
In China Suggested.


Washington, Aug. 3O.-A special
meeting of the cabinet lasting all
yesterday and broken only by short
recess for luncheon marked the in
tense interest the administration
feels in the Chinese problem. 1t was
the longest cabinet session OF the
present administration. The diplo-
matte and not the military phase OF
the situation in China was under con-
sideration and this accounted for the
presence of Acting Secretary Adee,
an unusual happening at cabinet
meeting. Mr.. Adee is the medium
through which the foreign govern
ments communicate and he has been
in receipt of good many state
ments recently. Tuesday evening he
and the French charge, M. Thiebaut,
compared the French and American
copies of the credentials of Ii Hung
Chang. Yesterday he had long talks
with Minister WI and the German
charge and the substance of these con-
versations he laid before the cabinet.
1t is understood that the cabinet yes
terday completed preparation plan
for clearing away much of the uncer-
tainty that now exists as to the flu
ture in China and outlined its views
in writing. The fact that the mill
tary situation is admitted to be OF
secondary Importance confirms the
view, though no cabinet officer would
vouchsafe information on this point,
that what is sought is an agreement
among the powers for terminating
the indefinite status of affairs in
China. 1t is believed that the point
has been reached where it is proper
that there should be a clear express
sion of purpose on the part of the
principal powers, in order that the
United States government may know
how far 1t may go consistently in the
execution of the common programme.
Most of the objects had in view by
the president when he made answer
to the Chinese governments appeal
and began the campaign upon Pekin
have been achieved Two others re-
main to be secured, namely, the safe
guarding of American interests for
the future and some proper guaran-
tee for naturalization for the ex-
penses OF recent operations lind losses
OF American citizens. Some plan by
which the objects can be attained by
the United States in common with
similar objects by the other powers
engaged in China is thought feasible.
Incidental to this main purpose sew
eral phases of the pyobem are at
tracing special attention, Thus the
suiliciency of Ii Hung Changes ere
dentials as peace envoy. or rather
of the ability of the emperor of Chi
ma to accredit anyone thus, is a mat
ter of international consideration.
The United States not only must sat
isfy itself of Lis competency, but it
must convey solid assurance 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 It was the general under
standing that the outcome of yester-
days cabinet meeting would be the
adoption of policy by the admins
tration that would tend to simplify
these issues, and at least bring to a
focus the varying aspirations of the
powers. If this cannot be done, then
the question to be determined is
whether or not the United States
shall proceed further, hand in hand
with the allied forces. 1t is believed
that this point is very near decl
sion, our determination depending
upon the responses made by Eu
ropean nations to our inquiries. The
suggestion that a conference be helt
of the nations represented in Chini
is again revived as an accompaniment
of this purpose, and it is pointed ou'
that with Special Commissioner
Rockhill just about arriving on Chi
nese soil, with Mumm Won schwart
zenstein, the German successor t.
Baron Won Ketteler, already in China
with the ministers resident at Pekin
and with the high military and nava
officials in the Pei Ho valley, the ma
terial is already at hand for the gath
ering of conference fully equipped
to deal with even so complex and diff
fcult a problem as is presented il
the settlement of China's future.
One of the best posted members o
the diplomatic corps, who is actitel,
engaged in the present negotiations
yesterday summed up the interna
tional complication substantially a
follows: "The powers were in CON
plete accord UP to the time of tn