Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-07-19

Washington, July 1.-THE decision
of the administrator at the end of a
most eventful day : that the United
States government S sll4I not at war
with China But this statement
should not be accepted as Indicating
any purpose on the part of the United
States government ID hold it's hand in
the administration of swift and ade-
quate punishment upon the Chinese,
without regard to station, who may be
responsible for the outrages Of the past
few weeks. 1t means simply
that the government of the
United States feels that it can best
achieve that purpose by regarding the
status officially as one Of peace. To
hold otherwise would seriously cripple
the government in efforts to obtain sat
isfacti0n for the Outrages the Ameri
cans in China have suffered. Chair
man Cannon Of the house appropria-
tons committee is authority for the
statement that there is money in
plenty at the disposal Of the president
TO meet the present emergency and
that there is no necessity for calling q
session of congress. The day was the
most exciting Washington has known
since the battle of Santiago. At the
very beginning came Admiral Remey'3
cablegram announcing the defeat Of
the allied force at Tien Tsin, then came
the account of the fight. A special
cabinet meeting was held on receipt of
this news with such members present
as are in town. Secretary Hay imme-
diately after the meeting had a long
talk with President Mckinley ovo~ Re
long distance telephone and the presi
dent decided it would be best for him
to come Back from Canton to the ma
tional capital. The cabinet officers
talked over the possibilities of rein
forcing the troops in China. There
was no disposition shown to withhold
these troops the only question being
to the amount of additional force avail
able 1t was leIt to the war depart
ment officials to decide Only one
point was laid down and that was that
the government should send forward
all troops that could be spared at TINS
time. 1t was gathered that reinforce
ments would be limited only by the
ability Of the government to spare
troops from those commands now i'll
the United States and Cuba.
The general opinion was that some
where between 1000 and 5000 men
sould be shipped to the from Cuba and
the United States in addition to the
troops already under orders. A state
Corbin shows there are now a grand
total of 1865 officers and men in
China or enroute. The available force
Of cavalry and infantry aggregates
about 5000. Secretary Root was re-
luctant to admit there was any neces-
sity for more American troops in
China and at the close of the day said
thus far he had issued no orders for
achievements. Gen. Miles was called
upon by secretary Root to counsel with
his as to projected troop movements.
lie fayors the prompt despatch of a
large force to hina good deal of
annoyance has been caused here by the
complete misunderstanding that has
been conveyed to European nations as
to the attitude of the United States
government regarding the settlement
oOf the Chinese troubles. This govern
meut it can be stated never has
thought Of compromising for money or
any other form of indemnity. The
government will insist on justice and
retribution. Through Col. Liscum's
death CAPTAIN McCalla of the Newark,
if ashore is ranking American officer.