The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-17


most eventful day Is that the United
States government is still not at war
with the government of China. The big
happenings at Tien Tsin, coming on ton
of stories of the last struggles at Peking.
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 ac-
cepted as indicating q 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 outrages Of
the past few weeks. IT meas simply
that the government of the United States
feels that it can best achieve that pur-
pose by regarding the status officially as
one Of peace. To hold otherwise would
seriously cripple the government In It's
efforts to obtain satisfaction for the out
RACES the Americans in China may have
suffered. We should find the ports Of
China, now open to us, closed, and all
sorts Of impediments would he encoun-
tered which are now missing Therefore
according to the administration view,
declaration of war would afford not even
a technical gain, Willie it would actually
be a heavy drawback
Chairman Cannon, of the house ap-
preparations committee is authority for
the statement that money in plenty is
at the disposal OF the president to meet
the present emergency, and that there is
no necessity for a called session of con-
gress on that score
EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON.
The day was the most exciting that
Washington has known since the battle
Of Santiago. At the very beginning came
Admiral Remey's cablegram announcing
the defeat Of the allied forces at Tien
Tsin, and then came the Associated Press
account OF the fight. A special cabinet
meeting was held on receipt Of this news.
with such members present as are in
town. Great reluctance was manifested
on the part of the participants 10 answer
questions as to the nature OF the delibera-
tions. The best indication Of its nature
was the departure for the White house
of Secretary Hay Immediately after the
meeting He sat down and had long
talk with President Mckinley over the
long distance telephone, and il soon he
came known that the president had de-
cided that it would be best for him to
come back from Canton TO the national
capital.
The cabinet officers talked over the pos
sibilities of reinforcing the troops in
China. There was no disposition shown
to withhold the troops; the only ques-
ton was to the amount of additional
force available. That was q technical
question: so 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.
CONDUCT OF CAMPAIGN.
One proposition discussed by the cabi-
net appeared to have very practi-
cal aspect about it. Technical men had
made objection to the further conduct of
the Chinese campaign with an interna-
tional force without some working under
standing as to the duty Of each power
represented. 1t was suggested that an
international conference be called hasti-
ly at one cf the capitals-London. Berlin,
Paris, or Westinghouse define the part
to be taken by each power, and the quota
of troops to be furnished, and a range
for the selection of q commander-in-
chief of the allied forces.
This suggestion did not meet with q IA
vorable reception. 1t was felt by the
cabinet that the United States should
send what force it could dispose of to
China, as far as seemed necessary, and
should not make any agreement with
| other powers as to the number. This
| decision involves the increase Of the force
| of troops destined for China. The re-
! sponsible officials evaded any specific
| statement as to the extent of this in
crease 1t was, however, gathered that
| the reinforcements would be limited only
/ by the ability Of the government to spare
] troops from those commands now in the
| United States and Cuba.
| The estima tes varied as to how many
| could be spared, but the general opinion
was that somewhere between 1900 and
| 5000 men could be shipped to the East
| from Cuba and the United States in ad-
dition to the troops already under or
! ders.
A statement prepared by Adjt. Gen
| Corbin shows that there are now grand
! total of 1866 officers and meTp In China
en- route to Nagasah, or under orders
for Nagasak This table, of course, in
cludes the Inflated Ninth infantry
which may not be in condition for further
| service
Gen. Woods last reports indicate that
owing to the tranquility prevailing In
Cuba it will be entirely safe to decrease
the military force there quite largely.
TROOPS AVAILABLE.
But even with these Cuban troops II
will be necessary if the cabinet plans are
carried out to divest the home posts of
garrsons save in the case of the heavy
artillery organizations at seacoast points.
About all Of the troops within the bor-
ders Of the United States that would be
available for Chinese service under a
call are these regiments: Second, Fifth
Seventh and Eighth cavalry regiments,
in California; one squadron each Of the
First and Sixth cavalry, the First and
Tenth and Eleventh regiments of infan-
try complete, one battalion each of the
Second, Fifth, Seventh, Fourteenth
| Eighteenth, Twenty-third and Twenty
fifth infantry regiments and three com
panies of the Twenty-fourth infantry.
This available force Of cavalry and In
fantry aggregates about 5000 men. Some
artillery undoubtedly would be sent, and
there are Light Batteries X of the First
artillery, A and + Of the Second, c and
f of the Third. B of the Fourth, OF
the Fifth and c and NJ OF the Seventh
available There are besides Companies
| G and D of the engineers and four com
| panies of the signal corps.
| Secretary Root was reluctant to admit