Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-09-03

was broken only by a short recess tor
luncheon and marked the intense in
terest the administration feels in the
Chinese problem. 1t was the longest
cabinet session of the present admins
tration. The diplomatic, and not the
military phase of the situation IN
China, was under consideration ana
this accounted for the presence OF Act
ing Secretary Adee, an unusual hap
pening at a cabinet meeting. Adee is
the medium through which the foreign
governments communicate and he has
been in receipt of a good many state
ments recently. 1t is understood Tile
cabinet completed a preparation OF a
plan for clearing away much OF the
uncertainty that now exists as to the
future in China, and outlined it's views
in writing. The fact that the military
situation is admitted of secondary I'M
portance confirms the view,
though no cabinet officer
would vouchsafe information on
this point, that what is sought is an
agreement among the powers for ter
minating the indefinite status of af-
fairs in China. 1t is believed the
point has been reached where it is
proper there should be clear express
sion of purpose ON the part of the
principal powers in order that the
United States government may know
how far it may go consistently in the
execution of the common program.
Most of the objects had in view by the
president when he made answer to the
Chinese governments appeal and be-
gan the campaign upon Pekin have
been achieved. Two others remain to
be secured, namely, the safeguarding
of American interests for the future,
and some proper guarantee for lndem-
MITIGATION for the expenses OF recent
operations and the losses to American
citizens.
Incidental to this main purpose, sew
eraI phases of the problem are attract
ing special attention, thus the sul-A-
cheney of Ii Hung Chang's creden- ais
as peace envoy, or rather OF the ability
of the emperor of China to accredit
any one thus, is matter OF interna-
tional Importance. 1t was the general
understanding that the outcome of yes
terday's cabinet meeting will be the
adoption of policy by the adm1n1stra-
ton that would tend to simplify these
issues and at least bring to focus the
varying aspirations of the powers. Ii
this cannot be done then the question
to be determined is whether or not the
h011
hand in hand with the allied forces.
The suggestion that a conference be
held Of the nations represented in
China is again revived.
The attitude of Germany was the
subject of much official discussion and
during the day considerable new light
was thrown upon it. Early in the day
German Charge D'Affaires, Baron
Speck Won Sternburg, says:
"Our aim is the restoration Of secur-
ity for persons and property, and free
dom of action for German subjects in
China, the rescue Of foreigners be-
leaguered in Pekin, the re-establish-
ment of security and regular condi-
tons under properly organized Chi
nese government, reparation and salts
faction for the outrages committed.
We desire no partition of China and
seek no special advantages.
There is reason for believing Ger
many holds today the foregoing decla-
ration as effective as when it was first
enunciated by Count Won Buelow July
II. A member of the best posted mem
bers of the diplomatic corps summed
I'D international complications sub
stantially as follows: "The powers
were in complete accord up to the time
OF the taking of Pekin; but with that
accomplished, the more important
question arose as to the future course
of the powers in dealing with China
and on that there is not as yet any
complete accord. Thus far it seems
plain the United States opposes dis
memberment of China, or any move to-
wards territorial extension there, and
in this position Russia and France
seem to agree. On the other
hand, while there is nothing
definite indicating territorial ex-
pansion, yet exchanges nave
led to the belief that Germany and
Great Britain and probably Japan, are
not averse to a course which would
bring about territorial divisions within
the empire. So far as Great Britain
purposes are concerned, in the absence
of any express declaration, the landing
of troops at Shanghai is strong evil
dence that Great Britain wishes to con-
troll the Yang Use valley, when is the
garden of China. On the part OF Ger
many, doubt as to her future course is
due mainly to Count Won Waldersee
speeches since the taking OF Pekln.
These have indicated that the fall OF
the Chinese capital was only the initial
step in a comprehensive program, re-
curing the presence Of large army. .
Both the state department and Min
lister WI are in ignorance as to the
whereabouts of Lii Hung Chang, and