The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1900-07-26
Washington Letter.
Washington. July @. 100

Americans, Japanese and Chinese
fighting side by side against Europeans,
for the maintenance of the Chinese EN-
pire, is one of the possibilities of the near
future in China" remarked European
member of the diplomatic corps. That
Is probably an extreme view, but it is
certain that the European powers, what
ever may be their professions, wish to di-
vide China among themselves, while the
U. s. and Japan would prefer that the
Chinese empire remain as 1t is.
The situation in China at this time, so
far as we know, Is largely matter of
opinion. Officials believe that the mes
sage received from Minister Conger, say
ing that himself and other foreign min
listers in Pekin, were safe, although much
in need of assistance, was genuine, while
nearly everybody else regards 1t with sus-
picion and not few as being a bit of Chi
nese trickery. The one bit of absolute
fact In sight Is the disappointing cable
gram from Admiral Remey, saying that
the allied forces would not begin the
march to Pekin before the middle of Aug
ust, owing to lack of harmony among the
allies. Gen. Chaffee will probably arrive
at Taku early next week, but he can do
little without the assistance of others, as
he will have less than four thousand men.
/ Americans do not monopolize import
ant Industrial discoveries and inventions.
The U. s. consul general to Germany, in
a report to the department of state, brief
ly describes a new and successful method
of welding cast iron pipes, tramway rails,
etc., which is both cheap and simple.
The process is thus described In the re-
port: "Briefly stated, 1t consists In mix
ing powdered aluminium with oxide of
iron and adding to it an easily ignitable
substance. This powder is put into a
clay crucible and ignited by a match
The resulting chemical action renders the
mixture liquid, and this liquid is then
poured around the place to be welded,
| the object assumes a white heat and the
welding Is done by very simple appa-
ratus. The welded places show the same
firmness as the original piece, and mani
fold application of the method is posi-
ble."
When present plans of the navy depart
ment are carried out there will be about
900 marines in China to act in concert
with the army forces. This will not only
be the largest force of American marines
ever on foreign soil at once, but will be
the largest force of American marines
ever assembled at any one place. The
full authorized strength of the marine
corps is 5000, and special efforts are now
being made to recruit up to the limit.
Mr.. G.. Tower, U. S. ambassador to
Russia, who is unfortunate enough to be
away from his important post at this par.
ticular time, on vacation, arrived In Wash
ington day or two ago. He left st.
Petersburg before the Chinese trouble
had resulted in the attacking of the for
eign ministers in Pekin. He doubts the
stories OF Russia's intention to declare
war on China and go 1t alone, and be-
lieves that the powers will act together.
He thinks that this government will nee
essarily be sort of umpire in all disputed
questions that may arise among the al.
lies or between the allies and the Chinese
government, becs use it is the only govern
ment which possesses the unreserved con-
fidence of all the others, and which is re.
garded by all as being absolutely without
selfish motives In its policy towards
China. Mr.. Tower said of the Trans-Si-
berian railway, which the Russian gov.
ernment will complete In two years
Americans will profit much by the com
mercial field 1t will open to them. AL
though Vladivostock is to be the real END
of the road, another terminus will touch
Dalney on the Gulf of Pe-chi-li, near Port
Arthur. That will be free port, and 6
stretch Of territory around 1t is to be sci
apart for the use of manufacturers desir
ing base for manufacturing the products
imported there from the rest of the world
That means great opening for American
Materials"
The official announcement that this
government will get out of Cuba just as
soon as the Cubans set up a stable gov
ernment of their own and that the elec
tion for delegates to the Cuban constitu
tional convention, which will construct
the framework of that government will
be held in September, seems to effectuallJ
dispose of all the stories about this gov
ernment encouraging the annexation
movement. That annexation will event
ually come is the opinion of many o.
those who have deeply studied the mat
ter, but it now looks as though it woult
not be until after the Cubans had full op
portunity to go it alone long enough te
determine for themselves.
If W. w. Rockhill, who has been giver
a diplomatic commission as special en-
voy, ranking something like an ambassa
dor, and ordered to proceed to China Al
the earliest possible moment, can't gel
information, which is what he is to &C
after, probably no outsider can. He is
one of the few white men who can speak
and write the Chinese language thor
Ouphly