The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-16
ALL WITHHELD.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.)

Won Sternberg regards Tung-Chow, midway
between Matow and Peking, as the real
battle-ground, and Secretary Root is in
clined to accept this view. Some of the
japanese officials believe that when the
allies reach Tung-Chow they would find
Picking a deserted city ahead of them, as
ii was recalled that these tactics of with
drawal had occurred in 1850. when the Brit
ish-French expedition reached Tung-Chow.
In the absence of all positive
as to what the allied armies will do, these
conjectures from the best posted sources
serve TO show the various serious posi-
bilities forming a part of the present crisis.
NOT IDENTICAL WITH CONGER'S.
The message of the French minister at
Picking, NJ. Pichon. to the French Foreign
Office was at first regarded here as iden-
teal with the last Conger message, which
the State Department has not made public.
But without disclosing the nature of the
Conger message the officials made a suffi-
Gent comparison between the Pichon and
Conger messages to show that they were
not identical in language or general state
ment.. On the contrary. ii was clear that
each minister was forwarding TO his gov
eminent his own advices on the situation,
and that there had been no consultation be-
tween the ministers before these two dis
patches were forwarded. While the mes
sages are not alike, it is understood that
they agree on considerable of the informa-
ton contained.
II Is considered SlSnlncdnt tndI no prep
arations are being pushed for the winter
ing of the American forces in China. Both
the commissary and quartermaster's de-
partments are ready to purchase and ship
supplies for the Chinese eXpeditionary
force such as would be needful in a winter
campaign. There are certain supplies which
would be necessary for this contingency
and certain steps which would have to be
taken and that quite speedily unless there
was strong hope that the American army
would be out of China before the Gulf of
Pe-Chi-Li freezes over, which it usually
does about the first of November. Prepara-
tons made up to a recent date looked to
the quartering of the American force on
Chinese soil through the winter season. 1t
cannot be said that this expectation has
been entirely abandoned, bat il is certain
that some of the final purchases and prep
a~rations are suspended for the present
as though there is considerable probability
that they would not have to be made at all.
The war Department has as yet given no
definite statement on this subject. but the
suspension OF operations is considered
significant.
The arrival of President Mckinley to-
morrow is looked on with great interest. in
view OF the gravity of the crisis. The
presidential party will be here tomorrow
morning and an extended conference be-
tween the President. Secretary Root, act
ing Secretary Adee and others is likely to
take place early in the day. This probably
will assume the aspect of a Cabinet confer
ence, If. indeed. IL is not felt desirable TO
hold a special Cabinet meeting. The regular
meeting day of the Cabinet is on Friday,
at which time there will be further oppor-
tunity of going over the Chinese develop
ments.