The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-06
request that no American troops be sent

request that no American troops be sent
to his jurisdiction.
The diplomatic representatives of most
of the powers interested in the Chinese
troubles called on the Secretary of State
yesterday in quest of news of the situa-
ton at Pekin. Great establishment is ex-
pressed by some of them, perhaps by all
over the decision Of the Russian and Brit
ism admirals at Taku, that the allied force
ashore there, at least $1,000 men, was not
sufficient to proceed to Pekin. The Coz
ernment officials, despite the apparen,
preparations to send large force of Amer
lean troops to China, profess to be Of the
opinion that $1,000 trained European Jap
anese. and American troops will be able
TO overcome the resistance of the Chinese
army of 1i0.000 reported to be between
Tientsin and Pekin. From what was
learned of the exchanges of opinion be-
tween the State Department officials and
diplomatic representatives here, it appears
to be the general idea that the allied
forces are sufficient for all purposes, and
that the Chinese army is not capable, al
though of overwhelming numbers, to keep
the allies from getting into the capital.
"A force of 1900 trained men should
be able to cut through the Chinese army
like knife cuts through butter" said one
very high official.
1t is now generally admitted that one of
the objects of the allies will be punitive.
Tuan. if captured. is certain TO be executed.
While having for its main object the
restoration of order, the allied column will
not only seek to secure possession OF the
leaders of the revolt, but even of members
of the royal family if information is Sc
cured that the Empress Dowager was a
party to the killing of foreigners.
No Hope for Foreigners.
In view of the determination of the for
eign commanders not to proceed to Pekin
with their present force. the Government
believes that every possible chance of res
cuing even one foreigner from the hands CT
the mob in the capital has been removed.
II cannot understand why the foreign ad-
mirals deem force of $4,000 men ne, es-
sary. Japan is sending between 15,G00 and
10000 additional troops to Taku, and Rus
sia is expected to despatch force equally
as large. Why. under these circumstances
the allies now ashore do not press on 10
Tientsin at least and hold that place until
the japanese and Russian endorsements
arrive is inexplicable to the Governme mt
officials and members of the Diplomatic
Corps here. The officials are fairly heart
sick over what they believe to be timidity
of the commanders of the allies.
The Government is understood TO have
heard nothing from any Of the powers in
regard to the declaration of intentions
which 1t sent to the European Govern
melts and Japan. In effect these declara-
tons were that the United States was OPP
posed to the partition of China. and would
use fits military forces only for the restora-
ton of order and the protection of Ameri-
can citizens. Informally, the Government
has been assured by most OF the powers
that their present intention is to act
tremendously with the United States to
restore order and protect foreigners, but
nothing has been said by them about the
future. The declaration of the United
States against partition is in line with
the policy OF Great Britain and Japan,
and seemingly with that OF Germany as
announced by the Kaiser in his speech
to the departing troops at Wilhelmshaven
on Tuesday,