The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-17

the kindly personal relations between him
and the people here.
WI Defends Sheng.
Minister WI declares unworthy Of be-
lief the cable report that Sheng, di-
rector Of telegraphs and posts at Shanghai,
knew OF the killing Of foreign ministers
at the time he made a recent suggestion
that foreigners be escorted out OF Pcking
IL the allied forces would not advance.
As a matter of fact. Minister Wa states
that the Chinese officials have no better
means Of learning the truth OF affairs In
Peking than the foreigners. as the usual
means OF communication are suspended.
But he points out that Sheng could not
have known of the death OF the foreign
ers, else he would not have made the
proposal that the foreigners be escorted
out Of the city. This latter Is considered
proof positive by Mr.. Wa that Sheng con-
'sidered the foreigners alive.
Not Yet n state of War.
The decision Of the administration, at
the end Of most cventfu day, Is that
the United States government is still not
at war with the government of China.
The big happenings at Tientsin coming On
top of tho stories OF the last struggles
at Peking have not affected the attitude
of the administration on this point, the
United States and China are technically
mt peace. But this statement should not
be accepted as indicating n 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. Ii means simply that
the government of the United States feels
hat IL can best achieve that purpose by
regarding the status officially as one OF
peace.
To hold otherwise would seriously Grip
pie the government In its effort to obtain
satisfaction for the outrages the Ameri-
cans IN China have suffered. We should
find the ports OF China. now open TO us
closed and all sorts of impediments would
he encountered which are now missing
Therefore, according TO the administra-
tion's view. declaration OF war would
afford not even technical gain while IL
would actually he a heavy drawback
Chairman Cannon, Of the house Appropri-
ations 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 IL no
necessity for n called session OF congress
on that score.
Admiral Rcmey's Telegram.
The day was the most exciting Wash
lngton has known since the battle Of
Santiago. AT the very beginning came
Admiral Remey's cabiegram announcing
the defeat OF the allied forces at Ticntsln
and then came the vivid 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 TO answer
questions as to the nature Of the delih-
erattons. The best Indication Of It's ma
ture was the departure for the white
House Of Secretary Hay Immediately after
the meeting lie sat down and had a long
talk with President Mckinley over the
long distance telephone and 1t soon be-
came known that the president had decia.
cd that II would he best FOR him TO come
back from Canton 10 the capital
Cabinet Holds "a Meeting.
The cabinet officers talked over the
possibilities ~ reinforcing the troops ia
China There was no disposition shown
fn withhold these fr0oFra. the oriv ctlee.