The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-14
PEKIN CUT OFF.
Minister COnger Not Heard From
For SO Hours.

Washington, June At was said at
the state department today that no re-
quest for 1000, or, in fact. for any num-
Der of troops had been received from
Minister Conger, as reported from
shanghai AS a matter Of fact, the
state department has not heard from
Minister Conger for thirty-six hours
past. AS it is gathered that the Euro
pean foreign offices are in precisely the
same position respecting their diplO-
matte representatives at Pekin, it is
assumed at the state department that
Geographic communication between Pc
kin and the outside world, which for
the last three days has consisted of a
single line running north into Russian
Manchuria, has at last been totally in
terrupted.
The statement that this government
has not in the-slightest degree changed
its position respecting the ineXpediency
of landing United States troops in
China is made with the knowledge on
the part of the state department Off
Gals of the current reports that other
powers interested, notably Great Brit
ain, Russia and Japan either have al
ready or are about to land troops at
Taku and Tien Tsin. There seems to
be a disposition to make a distinction
between the use of troops and marines
under existing conditions. It probably
is assumed that the presence of ma
rines on Chinese soil, indicating from
their character that the land:n= is
purely temporary, is much less apt to
raise grave international issues either
with China or the other powers repre-
scented a Taku. Their employment
therefore marks the kind of the force
to be put in playi by the United States
government according to the present
determination, but for whatever injury
/ has been sustained by the United States
either through the killing of citizens or
/ the destruction of missionary property,
| China viii be held for heavy in
/ demnity.
The japanese authorities here say
! the Yokohama press dispatch stating
| that Japan is about to send a mixed
regiment to China is undoubtedly COR
! rect, as it TALES with what has been
| expected in diplomatic quarters. Mr.
| Nabeshima. the charge says there are
/ three ports at which warships and
1 transports assemble. namely YOkOSuka,
| f<ure, and SasebO. He believes that the
movement will be made from Kure. The
/ headquarters of the fifth military diVis-
( ion is only two miles from the naval
port, so that no time need be lost in get
| ting troops aboard the transports in
| case the movements are decided upon
In some diplomatic quarters there is
| talk of joint request by all of the par
ties interested to ask either Japan or
| Russia or both OF them, to land a strong
| force of soldiers instead of the limited
/ number of marines now available. This,
/ however has not yet taken official form.
/ Mr.. Nabeshmia says Japan would not
act along such lines unless all the pow
ers united in a request Of that character.
In that event, he feels Japan could very
readily and single handed put an end
to such war as she could forward q
large force of soldiers. capable of re-
pairing the line 10 Pekin. and maintain
ing perfect quiet.
In another high diplomatic quarter
representing one of the first powers of
Europe it was stated that as Russia
and Japan both had large forces of sol
ciers near China, it might be expedienl
for the powers to ask them to each send
an equal number Of soldiers This il
was stated would create a balance be
tween Russia and Japan, relieving botf
of them from the suspicion of dispatch
ing a large military force for ulteriol
1 ends.