Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-30
THE MILITARY SITUATION.
(By Telegraph to virginian-pilot,


meeting of the Cabinet lasting all day
and broken only by short recess for
luncheon marked the intense interest
the Administration feels in the Chin
csc problem. The diplomatic and not
the military phase of the situation in
China was under consideration Last
evening Assistant Secretary Adee and
the French charge compared the
French and American copies of the
credentials of Lii Hung Chang. To-day
lie had long talks with MIR. WI and the
German charge, and the substance of
these conversations he laid before the
cabinet. 1t is understood that the
SoDinet to-day completed preparation
OF a plan for clearing away much OF
the uncertainty that now exists as TO
the future in China and outlined it's
views in writing. The fact that the
military situation is admitted to be of
secondary Importance confirms the
view, though no Cabinet officer would
rouchsafe information on this point,
that what is sought is an agreement
among the Powers for terminating the
indefinite status OF affairs in China.
1t is believed that the point has been
reached where 1t is proper that there
should be n clear expression OF pur-
pose on the part OF the principal Pow
ers In order that the United States
Government may know how far 1T NAV
go consistently in the execution of the
common program.
OBJECTS IN VIEW.
Most OF the objects had in view by
the president Wen he made answer
to the Chinese Governments appeal
and began the campaign upon Pelsin
have been achieved Two others re-
main to be secured, namely, the safe
ne
the future and some proper guaran-
Tee Tor decentralization for the ex-
penses of recent operations and losses
or American citizens. Some plan by
which these objects can be obtained by
the United States in common with
similar objects by the other Powers
engaged in China is thought feasible.
EARL LIS CREDENTIALS.
Incidental to this main purpose sew
eral phases of the problem are attract
sng special attention. Thus the suffi-
cheney of Ii Hung Changes credentials
as q peace envoy, or rather of the abil-
tty OF the Emperor of China to acA.
credit any one thus, Is matter of in
fernational consideration. The United
states not only must satisfy itself with
LAS competency, but 1t must convey
eqtid assurance on that point to con-
Vince some Of the other Powers. the
purpose Of which perhaps would not
Re best served by a speedy ter1nina-
Ton of hostilities in China.
OUTCOME OF To,DAy's CONFER
:. IL was the general understanding
that the outcome of to-day's Cabinet
meeting would be the adoption of a
policy by the Administration that
would tend to simplify these issues,
Rnd at least bring to focus the vary
ing aspirations of the Powers. If this
cannot be done, then the question to
be determined is wheter or not the
United States shall proceed further,
hand In hand with the allied forces.
1t Is believed that this matter is very
near decision, our determination de-
pending upon the responses made by
EUROPEAN nations to our inquiries.
"A SUGGESTION REVIVED.
The suggestion that a conference be
held of the nations represented in
China is again revived as an accom-
paniment of this purpose. and it is
pointed out that with Special Commits
sioner Rockhill just about arriving on
Chinese soil with Mumm Won Schwartz
zenstein, the German successor to
Baron Won Ketteler, already In China,
with the ministers resident Mt Pekin.
and with the high military and naval
officials in the Pei Ho valley, the ma
terial Is already at hand for the gath
ering of conference fully equipped
to deal with even so complex and diff
ficult a problem as Is presented In the
settlement of Chjra's future.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH PEKIN.
There are hopes that communication
with Pekin, very much delayed OF late,
will be better soon. Consul Fowler at
Che Foo. got routine dispatch
through to-day of current date, and
the Navy Department has been in
formed that the cable companies ship
was about to leave Shanghai to-day to
lay direct cable connecting Shanghai
with Che Foo. one of the weakest links
in the chain of communication at pres
ent These improved conditions as to
the opening of communication between
our military and naval commanders
and the authorities here have made 1t
possible for the latter to abandon the
purpose conceived yesterday of en-
ploying naval vessels to convey by
water messages between Shanghai and
Che Foo.
ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS.
The Powers were in complete accord
up to the time of the taking of Pekin.
But with that accomplished the more
important questions arose as to the flu
ture course OF the Powers i'm dealing
With China. and on that there is not as
vet any complete accord. Thus far 1t
seems plain that the United States
opposes the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of China
or any move towards territorial ex-
paDson there, ana In this position Rus
STA ana france seem to agree. On the
other hand. while there Is nothing de-
finite indicating territorial expansion,
yet the exchanges have led to the be-
lief that Germany, Great Britain and
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