The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-17
AN EXTRA SESSION,
PREVAILS THAT ONE
MUST BE CALLED.
THE PRESIDENT RETURNING.
THE CABINET DISCUSSED THE
CHINESE SITUATION.

Question of Revenge AgftntinE the
Chincse-Congrcss' Aid Is Needed
10 Deal with the DificuIties-More
Money VIII Re Required for the
Chinese Campnig gn-Suppression of
Was Considered.
Washington. d. c.. July 16.-All hope OF
rescuing Minister Conger and Americans
in Pekin appears to have been abandoned,
and the question now agitatiug the adj
ministration is how to be revenged upon
the Chinese for the destardly manner IN
which they have murdered our represen-
tatives within the empire.
There seems to be no longer any doubt
that all of the Americans in Pekin have
been massacred. Confrmatory reports to
that effect have been received from so
many sources that even Secretary Long,
the most peaceful member of the cabinet,
now admits that he sees nothing to hope
for in the returns from China yet to
come.
So alarming were the returns received
from China to-day that two separate
department at the instance of Secretary
Hay. The result is that President Nc.
kinley will abandon his intention to re-
main at Canton until late in August, and
return at once to Washington, with the
probable intention of calling an extra
session of Congress.
--latest developments in China and uni
nA
part of the American people rendered Ct
necessary for the United States TO send
large additional force to China, not
only to avenee the probable massacre of
Minister Conger and his companions in
Pekin, but to wipe out as far as posi-
bic the slaughter of the gallant Ninth
Regiment and the death of Col Liscum.
commanding the land forces of the United
States. To accomplish this end, il will
be necessary to divert a large force of
troops from the Philippines, and il will
also necessitate the expenditure of large
sums of money to defray the expenses of
campaign in China. Gen Macarthur
says he cannot reduce his force in the
Philippines without endangering Amerl-
lean interests, consequently it will be
necessary for Congress to assemble II,
extra session to furnish the ways and
means to carry out the administration
policy in the Chinese Empire
This subject was discussed at the sec
ond cabinet meeting to-day, and although
no definite conclusion was reached. a
majority of the members of the cabine.
are of the opinion that an extra session
of Congress is inevitable in view of the
appalling situation in China. The sub
Jeet of sHPPF ssihg alarming reports from
CHINA, unle IS thoroughly authenticated,
was also the subject of serious consider
alton. II was urged that in view of the
administrations announced policy to re-
fra!n from making formal declaration
of war with China and to confne the
United States to a policy of simply assist
ing the allied forces in rescuing distress
ed Americans in China 1t is unwise to
unduly excl our people by reports which
may eventually prove Incorrect.
There was some difference of opinion
among members Of the cabinet as to the
wisdom of giving out the dispatch re-
ce!ved This morning from Admiral Re
mey reciting some of the details of the
battle between The allied forces and the
Chinese at Tien Tsin. Adjutant General
Corbin called particular attention to the
fact that Admiral Remey used The word
reported" in opening his dispatch and
closes by stating "details not YET con-
firmed." Gen. Corbin claims that IT is
possible that the AGmirals dispatch may
be based on rumors brought to Che Foo
by unreliable persons. and. therefore, it
is unwise to nname The public mind by
such heartrending informal on unless 1t
can be fully verified.
This plea had but little effect outside
Oe tho war deDartnaDt Secretary .opv
promptly resented the intimation that Ad-
miral Remey would, under existing cir
cumStances, indulge in sensa tionaism ut
such a crisis. He added that his high
reputation for courage. discretion and
ability justifies the belief that the Ad-
miral had ample ground for the dispatch
received at the navy department to-day.
1t is understood that Secre tary Hay re-
ceived some important information in
Admiral Remeys dispatch. The second
ca binet conference was undoubtedly 10
consider this inform ton, and at the de-
partment it was stated that IL might be
given out later also that so critical is the
situation. an extra session can hardly be
avoided. This impression is strengthened
by the fact that Representative Cannon
chairman of the Committee on Appropria-
tons, was a the state department during
the cabinet meeting. and participated in
the consideration of the subject.
After the adjournment Of the conference
Postmaster Geenral Smith admitted that
the situation in China is so alarming
that 1t was deemed advisable to call the
cabinet together for an interchange Of
views as to what should be done in addi-
ton to the precautions already taken to
relieve American citizens in China. Our
naval and military resources in the Phil
ipplnes were considered, and the question
arose whether, In view of Gen MacAr-
thurs statement that the military force
under his command Is now inadequate we
can afford 10 withdraw any more troops
from the Philippines and send them to
China.
In view of the heavy expenditures being
daily incurred in connection with China.
which have not been provided for, Il was
urged that some provision of Congress
will be necessary to meet the demands
to be made upon the treasury. These
questions were seriously considered, and
the result was that "A telegram was sent
to the President outlining the individual
view of the cabinet to the effect that the
stage has now been reached In Chira
where serious deliberation. followed by
decisive action. Is imperative. Late this
evening a telegram was received at the
White House that the President win re-
turn to Washington tomorrow.