Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-29
DIPLOMATIC CALLS.
Continued from page ~

President 1t is quite certain that
our government is willing and anxious
to do all II can to bring about il
speedy settlement of the Chinese diff
Guilty and retirement of the forces.
But it is determined that no prope.'
advantage is to be lost through this
wish and the movement will be coerc-
ed by foreign combinations or threats
of combinations against our interest.
one OF the officials of the govern
ment, today. said:
The United states is not going To
turn tail and run because some of the
powers show disposition to break a
compact. under which we became allies
in China. The powers accepted the
note Of Secretary Hay of July Bird as
basis for joint action and they will
be held to that agreement. The ques-
ton Of actual force in China is second
ary-onc regiment of United States
troops is as good as 100, 600 men t. es-
tablish a principle. An indignity of
fered to them would be resented as
quickly as if we had 100000 men on
Chinese soil, and the United States
government is willing to try the case
as to whether one thing could be said
on July 3rd and accepted by all thf.
powers and changed two months later
to advance a selfishness."
Notwithstanding this firm attitude on
the part Of this government there Is
not the least doubt ha friction be-
tween the powers will be averted and
that the resources of diplomacy will
be full equal to the needs Of he pres
en- case
Washington, Aug. 2S.-Action was
taken by the war department. this
morning, carrying out the recently an
nounced policy of this government to
send no more troops to China at pres
ent. An order was sent to the depart
ment's agents at Kobe, Japan. to III
vert the lst United States Cavalry and
their animals from that port TO Ma
Mia. instead of allowing them to pro-
coed to Taku. according to their origi-
nal orders. The department was in
formed, tbs morning. that the Garrone
with eight companies of the 1st Cav
airy aboard, and the Packing, with
the ANNALS Of the organization, had
arrived at Kobe. The LIST Cavalry is
under command Of Lieut.. Col. 7. l..
LobO
Another important development over
night was General Chaffee's statement
that he had not heard from the war
department since Aug. II. a fortnight
ago. News has come from China
within that perod Of time and the fact
that nothing has gone forward to Chat
f.A MD wit Na1,ht NIfri-..,.
is in the same state. goes to confirm
the officials here in the conviction that
the wires are being manipulated. prob
ably by Chinese agents. between che
Foo and Shanghai. the cable connec-
ton The discovery will certainly tend
10 hasten the construction of the pro
jected cable connecting Shanghai and
Che Foo. thus placing the contract for
the entire circuit from Washington 10
Pekin outside Of Chinese officials ii
any point. The subject may also be
made a basis Of strong representations
to Sheng. the Chinese director Of posts
and telegraphs at Shanghai.
a casualty list from Col. Whit was
the only communication received n
the war department. today. IL bore
date of yesterday at Toxic ana refer
red to the engagement of the 18th near
Tien Tsir. A dispatch was received
last night, by the war department.
from Gen. Chaffee stating that he HAD
offered assistance 10 Baroness Won
ketteler. wife of the late German min
lister to China and would furnish he.
transportation and escort to Tien Ism
also the transportation to Nagasaka
This dispatch seems to indicate that
Chaffee is in Pekin and not at Tien
Tsin. as some have asserted. This dis
patch is in answer to one sent t. the
general by the war department on
Aug. Il, the date that information was
received here Of the fall Of Pekin
The sufficienCy of Ii Hung Changes
credentials as n plenipotentiary to con-
clude settlement with the powers on
behalf Of China, is now a subject for
active Geographic negotiations among
the powers. 1t was stated positively.
today, that so far the issue was still
open. Some of the powers have taken
the ground that Ii no longer repre-
sents anythin tangible; that the flee
in of the Chinese Emperor and En-
press Dowager are to carry out any
pledges. but none of them has. so far
as can be learned upon inquiry hers.
finally decided this important question
beyond recall.
No confirmation comes from any
quarter Of the report from Russian
sources that the Chinese have recap
tured Pekin. and the war department
officials here completely discredit the
story. They believe it is capable Of
explanation. however, when read in
the light of Minister Congers state
ment, yesterday, that the allied gen
erals had decided not to enter the i'm
perial palace and also in view Of the
press reports of the sudden abandon
ment by the American and Russian
troops Of the attack upon the palace
ates after capturing four or five Of
them. 1t is believed here that the al
lied generals adopted this course in or
der to prevent looting after having
been convinced that the small palace
guard, if indeed any guard remained
within the palace walls, should not be
regarded with apprehension.
The imperial palace is known to be
stored with the most magnificent treas