Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-20
wARsAIP TO CHINA.

~ i-N ~ LA L lON AS TO WHAT
AMERICAN MINISTER NEEDS.
(By Telegraph to virgininn- Pnot.)
Washington, March 49, - Admiral
Watson has not yet advised the Navy
department OF the name of the vessel
selected to proceed from Manila to
Taku. in accordance with the request
or the State Department that a ship be
sent to China to safeguard American
interests. The concentration OF the
worlds attention upon the flowery
kingdom has had the effect of magni-
Tying little troubles in the Various
provinces out of all proportion to their
real Importance and significance. This
Is said to be true as to this last dem
onstration by the boxers" This is a
secret society CT anti-foreign tenden-
cies, and Is the successor to long
line Of just such societies that have
preceded 1t.
Minister Conger's cablegram to the
state Department about a week ago.
while referring to these boxers" and
suggesting the ACCESSIBILITY of sending
n warship to ensure the American mis-
sionarfes from attack, did not refer to
any imminent outbreak, nor did the
Minister have anything to say about
our open door" negotiations being jeo-
pardized. The State Department rather
inferred from his cablerTam that the
ship was wanted for It's moral effect,
rather than from any expectation that
1t would be called upon to render active
service. Indeed, If that had been the
case, the Department would never
have felt warranted In sending a single
gunhoat to China. 1t Is quite certain
that only one vessel Is destined for this
service, and the presence OF other
United States warships on the Asatic
coast is easily explained at the Navy
Department.
Admiral Watson was some time ago
authorized by the Navy Department to
send vessels of his feet to the cooler
and more invigorating airs of Northern
China and japan whenever q change
was necessary to preserve the health OF
the crews The Admiral avniled him
self of this permission in the case of
the Oregon and the New Orleans. The
former Is now Mt Yokohama and the
latter at Nagasal1i. The New Orleans
arrived at Nagasak! February % and
the Oregon reached Yokohama Feb
ruary 21st. almost three weeks before
Minister Conger had made any report
to the State Department on the sub
ject.
The dispatch of the Newark to Hong
Kong. reported to-day by Admiral
Watson. was merely for the purpose of
conveying to Manila the monitor Mon
adnock. The monitor was sent to
Hong Kong to be locked and 1t is not
regarded as safe TO allow that type of
warslTip to cruise alone in the open sea.
II Is expected at the Navy Depart
ment that Admiral Watson will select
small gunboat to meet Mr.. Conger's
request. Contrary to the first impress
sion. this vessel is going to China, not
to operate in Shan Tung province, but
to get as near to the United States
Legation at Pekin as possible, to give
weight to the Minister'S utternnces. A
deep draft vessel cannot mass up the
Peiho river. much above Taku at the
mouth. and even light draft gunboats
must stop at Tien Tsn. Then if the
United States Legation is in need of
protection marines can be sent over
land from Tien Tsin to Pekin, as was
done last year under just such condi-
lions as now exist.