The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1900-07-20
DAY OF SENSATIONS.
News From China Exc.teS Of
nclals In Washington.
PRESIDENT HURRIES FROM CANTOy.
Remey's Dispatch Announcing Losses
at Tien-tsin Following COnfirma-
tion of Picking Massacre Causes
"a Hurried Consultation.

"a Hurried Consultation.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE de-
cision of the administration at the END Of
most eventful day is that the United
States government is still not at war with
the government of China. The big hap
penings at Tien-tsin, coming on top of the
stories of the last struggles at Picking,
have not affected the attitude of the ad-
ministration on this point; the United
States and China are technically at
peace. But this statement should not be
accepted as indicating a purpose on the
part of the United States government to
hold its hand in the administration of
swift and adequate punishment upon the
Chinese, without regard to station, who
may be responsible for the outraaes of
the past few weeks.
1t means simply that the government of
the United States feels that it can best
achieve that purpose by regarding the
status officially as one of peace. To hold
otherwise would seriously cripple the gov
eminent in its efforts to obtain satisfac-
ton for the outrages the Americans in
China have suffered. We should find the
ports of China now open to us closed,
and all sorts of impediments would be
encountered which now are missing.
The day was the most exciting Wash
ington has known since the battle of San
tiago. AT the very beginning came Ad-
miral Remey's cablegram announcing the
defeat of the allied forces at Tie. tsin,
and then came the vivid account of the
fight. A special cabinet meeting was held
on receipt of this news, with such mem
bers present as are in town. Great re-
luctance was manifested on the part of
the participants to answer questions as
to the nature of the deliberations. The
best indication of its nature was the de-
parture for the White House of Secretary
Hay Immediately after the meeting. He
sat down and had long talk with Presi
dent Mckinley over the long distance
telephone, and it soon became known
that the president had decided that it
would be best for him to come back from
Canton to the national capital.
Admiral Remey's dispatch given below
came as it reads, without punctuation.
and Secretary Long fears that Captain
Davis of the marine corps and Captain
Lemly were both killed, though the bu
reau of navigation interprets the message
as meaning that all except Liscum were
wounded:
Reported that allied forces attacked
native city (Tien-tsin) morning 18th, Rus
slams right, with Ninth infantry and ma
rines on left. Losses allied forces large
and Russians over 100, including artillery
colonel; Americans over 30, British over
40, Japan 5S, including colonel; French |
20. Colonel Liscum, Ninth infantry, kill |
ed, also Captain Davis marine corps, |
Captain Lemly, Lieutenants Butler and |
Leonard wounded. AT Z evening allied |
attack on native city repulsed with great
loss. Returns yet Incomplete details not
yet confirmed"
The cabinet officers talked over the
possibilities of reinforcing the troops in
China. There was no disposition shown
to withhold these troops. The only ques-
ton was as to the amount Of additional
force available. That was IA technical |
question, 50 it was left to the war de-
partment officials to decide. The only
point laid down was that the government
would send forward all the troops that
could be spared at this time. One
The estimates varied as to how many
could be spared, but the general opinion
was that somewhere between 1000 and
5000 men could be shipped to the east
from Cuba and the United States in ad-
lition to the troops already under or
lers. A statement prepared by Adjutant
General Corbin shows that there are now
grand total of 1866 officers and men
n China, en- route to China, en- route
o Nagasaki or under orders for Nagasa-
I This table of course includes the
IL fated Ninth infantry which may not
De in condition for further service Gen
,ral Woods last reports indicate that
wing to the tranquility prevailing in
Juba, it will be entirely safe to decrease
he military force there quite largely
But even with these Cuban troops it
will be necessary, if the cabinet plans
ire carried out, to divest the home posts
# garrisons save in the case of the
heavy artillery organizations at sea coast
points. About all the troops within the
,orders of the United States that would
,e available for Chinese service under
all are these regiments: The Second,
fifth, Eighth and Tenth cavalry regi-
nents intact, one squadron each of the
First and the Sixth cavalry, the First,
Tenth and Eleventh regiments of in
antry complete, one battalion each of
he Second Fifth, Seventh, Fourteenth,
Twenty-third and Twenty
fifth infantry regiments and three com
,anies of the Twenty-fourth infantry.
This available force of cavalry and in
antry aggregates about 5000 men.
The President Leaves Canton.
CANTON. o., July 17.-President Nc.
<inley left this city for Washington at
~ TT 4 | .