The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-09-23
REPrRLTC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Washington. Sept. president Mckinley
has given unmtsJakable information to the
world of his purpose to be prepared To
protect by force American interests in
China
simultaneously with the publication Of
the correspondence describing the independ-
eat attitude adopted by the United states
Secretary Long handed to the press this
statement:
IN view Of the possibility that later,
when circumstances 50 warrant, the land
force in China Will be materially reduced
and The naval force in Asia;ic waters will
be from time to time increased, with refer
ence 10 American interests in China and
also In the Philippines. the following or
GeTs have. therefore. been issued to-day !:
The Dorothea at League Island ana the
Annapolis at Norfolk have been ordered TO
fit out for the Asiatic station: the VIII
nington has been ordered to the Asiatic
station via the Mediterranean. and will be
replaced on the South Atlantic station by
the Atlanta. The Albany at Piraeus has
been ordered 10 Manila The Kentucky
and Vicksburg have been ordered to New
York to fit out for the Asiatic station"
There is no doubt that this augmentation
of the Asiatic Squadron is due TO friction
among the Powers. and the desire OF the
administration to be prepared for eventu-
alitics.
This Government has watched with some
apprehension the increase which European
nations have made in their respective
squadrons. but the need OF adding IN the
american fleet did not seem necessary
while the Powers v ere acting IN harmony.
Germauy's action in throwing obstacles in
the way Of the restoration of peace and
Of her dispatch of four battleships and
pressed the President and members Of the
Cabinet.
Prepared for War.
There is no intention on the part Of this
Government to become enhroiled in inter
national trouble if il can b. avoided, but
II is deemed advisable to be prepared Tor
developments. and il is believed that the
nations Of Europe which desire territory in
China Will be the more anxious to live up
TO their declarations in favor of the main
tenance OF the Empires integrity if u for
ni;dable American fleet be close 1T hand
to prevent injury 10 American interests.
1t is not understood that the ships Sc
leCted were recommended for assignment
TO China by the Dewey policy board. but
Rear Admiral y. s. Crowninshieid, chief of
the Bureau of Navigation, who is the Sc
niOr member Of the board. was uudoubted-
ly the exponent Of the boards views when
the matter of reinforcing Rear Admiral
Remey was under consideration.
by Objection of Secretary Long the board
more than TWO months ago gave coHsid-
tLhilon 10 inc ltNal programme to he
adopted by the United States should an In
te:nauCHal conflict be preCipitated.
The smaller craft orQcreQ 10 the China
station, such as the DOrothea. Wilmington
Annapolis aud NickshurE will be especial
ly valuable for use in the waters OF the
Philippines and China, but the Kentucky
and Albany are sent not because il is de
sired 10 impress the F'ilipinos or the Chinese
who are ready and anxious TO treat for
peace, but tor moral effect upon Europe.
There has been some talk Of the return of
the batt!eship Oregon, but 1t can BE- safely
stated that she will remain in China until
the trouble there is at an end or she is re-
placed by some other vessel
Ii is proposed that the vessels under or
dcrs to report to Admiral Remey shall pro-
ceed as rapidly as possible. The Albany
Will start Immediately from the Piraeus.
Greece. and the Wilmington from PaImira,
South America. The kentucky has been
ordered TO New York and the Vicksburg TO
Boston.
The Kentucky Is battleshiD equipred with
sUperimposed turrets. She will. therefore,
not require repairs. hut Will need docking
and supplies for her long cruise. The Vicks,-
burg will be fitted at Boston the Dorothea
at League Island and the Annapolis at
Boston. These three Iast-named ships are
not in commission.
Our Force in the East.
Within month all the ships ordered to