Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-16
QUESTION OF TROOPS
No Determination Yet to Send Them
to China.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES GOOD
Gossip in Diplomat Circles on the
Subject.
DISPATCHES FROM JAPAN

Owing to their natural reluctance to en-
ploy troops save last resort and the
Discrimination of the War Department to
supply such troops except under pressure,
the officials are considering an alternative
proposition. This contemplated the putting
out of commission of several of the big
ships attached to Admiral Remeys fleet.
notably the Oregon. and the addition of
the sailors and marines so released to -Ad-
niirai Kempf's landing force. The big
ships carry. On an average, more than 800
men apiece. There is a growing belief that
il will be necessary 10 organize another OK
y"ditionary force at Tien Tsin to maintain
the communications to Admiral Seymour's
column which with limited supplies will be
in severe need very shortly, unless it can
force its way through to Pekin. The MonOc
acy arrived at Taku yesterday. and If
there were an emergency by pushing on
III, the river she could have reached Ten
TSin before dark. The Monocacy on such
short trip could easily carry fully 100
men in addition to her own crew. so that
the safety of the foreigners at Tlen Isin
probably is assured.
Matter of Transportation.
The navy has arranged with quarter
master General Ludington to take battal-
ion of marines composed of go men and
Grant. which sails from San Francisco
July l.
From inspection of the resources of the
u,lartermaster's department in the matter
of transportation, in case troops are I" be
sent from Manila TO China, 1t appears That
there now at Manila, the big trans
ports Logan and Warren. with capacity
OF about 500 troops for short cruise such
as between Manila and Taku. The Sher-
man is due at Manila July l, and VIII De
available for service the iennsy =. ana
ANA Indiana and several other craft EN-
ployed on the interisland service are also
available.
The Military Aspect.
Secretary Root declines to discuss the
military aspect of the Chinese situation. 10
the newspaper men he admitted that the
general situation discussed at the
meeting of the cabinet yesterday, and that
Secretary Nay furnished all the informa-
ton he had on the subject. The Secretary
was asked whether it had been decided to
send any troops to China from the Philip
pines, and he said it had not. To a further
question as to whether there was any pros
pect of such action, he said he would not
undertake to prohpesy. He was willing.
however, to make the broad. general asser-
ton that troops would be sent to China In
case It were found that there was greater
necessity for them there than In the Phil
ippines To another leading question he
said positively that far as he was adj
vised there was nothing in the present stu
alton in China to call for the immediate
dispatch of troops from the Philippines
In Diplomatic Circles.
Among the foreign representatives in
Washington the Information that the United
States probably would augment its military
force in China was received with very gen.
eral satisfaction, particularly in British
and Japanese circles. Mr.. Nabashima. the
Japanese charge, pointed out that the
United States was in a position to act with
far greater advantage than any other Of
the great powers, as the forwarding of a
large military force by any one of them
would excite suspicion and opposition
whereas such course by the United States
was absolutely above suspicion. ', lille no
Joint request had been made on this gov
eminent to act, yet. he said. the other
powers would speedily acquiesce In the ac-
tion and applaud its disinterestedneSS.
The Chinese minister showed the deepest
interest In the course of the United States
relative to the dispatch Of troops. but in
the absence of advices from his govern
ment indicating the policy on such move
ments he did not wish to discuss the eff
feet of the action. The Pekin government
Is maintaining absolute silence throughout
the agitation.
Dispatches From Japan.
The Japanese legation has received a dis
patch from the foreign office. dated at
Toxic on Wednesday. and giving informa-
ton from Pekin up to the day before. 1t
btates positively that Prince Tuan, the
father of the Chinese crown prince. has not
been appointed at the head of the Tsung
Ii Yamen, as was reported, nor has he
been given any official position. report is
current in Japan and is repeated as such
by the authorities that Prince Tuan Is the
real head of the Boxers. The dispatch fur
Their says that all the diplomatic represent