Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-07

other powers in prohibiting Russia from
landing more troops than the other powers
in China led to the early appearance at the
State Department this morning of Mr. de
Wollant. the first secretary of the Russian
embassy The ambassador, Count CaSSfni,
is absent on leave from his post. and the
first secretary is acting as charge. III that
was the subject of his inquiry, the charge
was speedily reassured, for the State De-
partment has made no conceanent of its
policy respecting the Chinese situation, and
has repeatedly intimated that it is con-
cerned solely for the safety of the Amer
lean legation and consulates in China and
for the direct interests of American cit
izens there.
An Indication Of the care exercised by the
department in strictly confining it's offices
to these lines is afforded by the instruction
to Minister Conger sent yesterday to draw
upon Admiral kempff for any force needed
to protect his legation and such refugees
as might properly claim the right of aSy-
lum there or in the consulates. The min
lister was not even charged to send out the
United States naval forces and marines to
points where American missionaries are
reported to be heset and in jeopardy, al
though much pressure has been brought to
bear upon the State Department by the
missionary interests to secure an order to
that effect
Minister COnger's Powers.
Mr.. Conger's powers are regarded as am
pie. but he is not expected to take action
in the matter of dispatching military expe
ditions to the interior of China. That
might be equivalent to declaration of
war on our part. By adhering closely to
its old-tin1e policy of abstention from in
terference with internal matters in China,
and especially by refraining from entan-
Cling movements in connection with the
projects of other powers. the State Depart
ment is confident that it can properly care
FOR all the legitimate American interests in
emma during the present crisis. without
becoming involved itself and without loss
of prestige
The Helena has not yet sailed from Ma
Mia to reinforce Admiral Kempff's force
at Taku, and 1t is surmised that the mo-
ment the order was received from the
Navy Department the vessel was either
absent from Manila or not available for
immediate service. The Navy Department
Remey at Manila. presumably with refer
ence to the speedy movement of the Hell
ena or some other ship to Taku.
Minister WI Calls.
The Chinese minister, Mr.. WI Ting
Fang, was the first caller of the day at the
State Department. But he had no news
whatever respecting this Boxer agitation
from his government, and was concerned
entirely with the unfortunate. plight of the
Chinese within the quarantine lines at San
Francisco. He made some strong repre-
the arbitrary action of the health officers
who are administering the quarantine. Sec
retary Hay has received from the governor
of California an answer to his request for
report upon the complaint of the Chinese
minister of discrimination against the
Chinese. The governors answer is
PLANTATION of grave conditions which con-
front the state officers in their efforts to
stamp out the plague, accompanied by an
intimation that every effort will be made
to abate the rigors of the quarantine laws
In favor of the Chinese, wherever that can
be done in safety.
Friends of Missionaries Alarmed.
Tlc friends of the American missionaries
in the disturbed zone in China are becom-
ing alarmed. and the State Department has
felt the pressure of their efforts to adopt an
aggressive policy. Inquiries have been made
as to the reason for the passive attitude
of the United States naval forces in Chi
nese waters. while the Russians are report
ed 10 have sent out military expeditions
from Pekin for the rescue of Russian
French and Belgian subjects whose safety
was jeopardized. 1t was argued that the
United States marine should have been
likewise dispatched to the assistance of the
American missionaries at Pao Ting Fu.
The departments answer was that Min
lister Conger. being on the scene. was bet
ter prepared than any one here to adopt re-
lief measures, for which he has already re-
ceived the sanction of the department in
the shape of 4 general authorization to pro-
tect American interests, which, of course,
meant American lives among other things.
II also was questioned whether the Very
small force of marines at the minister's
command could be used to make a march
through a hostile country and away from
its base. In that case, the United States
legation. the only refuge in the event of an
outbreak in Pekin, would be unsafe for
American refugees well for the
United States minister himself for the lack
o. a suitable guard.