The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-01
i. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

acceded to this view and is relaxing no
effort TO bring about a change OF plans
on this point. But our representations
have been met by the almost unanswerable
argument that the decision OF this i'm
portant question properly should be left
to the military commanders on the spot.
who must bear the responsibility OF the
outcome of the expedition.
A rather startling proposition was ad-
vanced today which if adopted might
put at once to the test the Chinese profess
sions that the Boxers and not the Chinese
government are responsible for what has
happened in Pekin. This Wa to the eff
feet that the Chinese government should
be informed that the international force
was prepared to take that government at
its word and to join forces with It in
crushing out the instruction. The kernel
OF juet such proposition is to be found
in the last condition laid Gown by the
president in his reply TO the appeal o.
the emperor, Kwang Hsu, and there may
be a development in that direction speed
lily,
Secretary Root says that nothing has
been received from China, either officially
or unofhcially, that necessitatcS any
change in the instructions given Major
General Chaffee. If there is an advance
on Pekin, 1t is presumed that such OF
the United States forces as are now
ready win participate in the movement
If dispatches are received az Tien Tsn
I from Minister Conger, or others in the
legations at Pekin which change the ex-
isttng conditions. Major General Chaffee
will act in accordance with such informa5
tion The secretary says General Chance
has full powers and has been entrusted
with the command of the United States
forces because of the confidence the gov
eminent has in his ability to meet any
ri l.
from the dispatches received from General
/ Chaffee that only a portion of his force
can be utilized II an immediate advance
is made It is not believed that all OF
the equipments Of the last expedition sent
from Manila have been landed and 1t Is
OF course apparent that the horses ana
most of the equipment Of the Sixth cav
airy are still at sea. The Ninth infantry
and the two battalions of the Fourteenth
infantry, together with the marines, are
the only troops OF the United States act
ually available for Chinese service at this
time.
The official confirmation of the news
that Minister Conger is safe and well
coupled with the statement that he ha;
provisions for several weeks and tina
the firing on the Legations has ceased. was
welcome Intelligence, though not unex-
pected in view of recent news. 1t Is eX
pected new that all the energies of thu
government, as we'll as those of othel
nations. will be concentrated for an ad
vance on Pekin. Several OF the report
which have come seem to indicate tina
this will occur very soon, some of th'
dispatches placing the date as early a.
yesterday. The officials here, however. de
not look for so early an advance il thu
allied commanders adhere TO their origina
estimate of 10000 men as necessary FOL
the campaign, as the latest reports re
ceived here do not show half that number
on the ground. sui other reports indi
cate that the possibility Of an adyalSl,
being made by the British and American
armies have come, and our officers com
manding in China have a free hand in an!
military movements. The proportion o
men OF the Ninth infantry reported bj
Colonel Davitt as sick is considered al
alarming and unfortunate feature of thu
situation. Officials are unable 10 accoun
for IL. but agree that 1t may delay al
immediate movenV MT forward. The de
lays In unloading the transports also arr
discouraging aud veXatious. Surgeon Gen
eral Sternberg has already given public
notice that 100 contract surgeons arr
wanted tor service In the East, but 1t will
be some time before they can be 20
ready for active work.