New-York tribune., 1900-07-17
NOT AT WAR WITH CHINA
ATTTTCDE OF THE UNITED
STATES EXPLAINED.
0rIL, DO ITS PART IN SECURING PUN
rSHMENT OF THOSE RESPON-
sIBLE FOR OUTRAGES.
BY The Associated Prass.l

BY The Associated Press)
washington July 16.-The decision Of the Ad-
-,nistration Al the end Of a most eveutful day
that the United States Government is still not
- war with the Government Of China The
,vsnts ct Tien-Tsin, following the stories Of the
,--ocfties at Picking. have not affected the atti-
-,se q the Administration on this point-the
United States and China are technically at
neace But this statement should not be ac-
,suted as indicating q purpose on the part OF
ne United States Government TO hold its hand
= he administration OF swift and adequate pun
,sh-,ear on the Chinese, without regard to sta
aoz- who may be responsible for the outrages OF
ne last few weeks. II means simply that the
Government OF the United States feels that II
-sn best achieve that purpose by regarding the
status officially as one Of peace. To hold other
E5se would seriously cripple the Government in
rs Efforts 70 obtain satisfaction for the outrases
Americans II China have suffered The ports OF
China now open, would be closed, and all sorts
q tnpe6iments would be encountered which
row are missing. Therefore according 10 the
Administration view. a declaration OF war would
Be heavy drawback Chairman Cannon Of the
House Appropriations Committee is authority
FOR The Statement that money IN plenty is at the
disposal of the President 10 meet the present
emergency. and that there is no necessity for an
AN EXCITING DAY IN WASHINGTON.
The day was the most exciting Washington
has known since the battle OF Santiago. At
the very beginning came Admiral Remey's dis
patch announcing the defeat Of the allied forces
81 Tien-Tsin, and then came The Associated
Press's account Of the fight special Cabinet
meeting was held OF receipt OF this news, with
such members present as were IN town. Great
reluctance was manifested by those at the meet
ing 20 answer questions as 10 the nature Of the
deliberations. The best indication OF its nature
YES Tie departure for the White House OF Sec
reta-y Hay Immediately after the meeting. He
Rad E talk with President Mckinley over the
long distance telephone. and It soon became
known that the President had decided that it
would be best for him TO return from Canton TO
the capital.
The Cabinet officers discussed the possibilities
OF reinforcing The troops in China There was
10 disposition shown TO withheld these troops;
The only question was as TO the amount OF add
riona- force available. That was g technical
question. so il was left 10 the War Department
oHIc.aIs 70 decide. The only point laid down was
thai the Government would send forward al the
troops that could be spared at this tine.
CONFERENCE NOT FAVORED.
one proposition discussed by the Cabinet ap-
peared 70 have q practical aspect. Some OBJ
lection has been made 70 the further conduct
q the Chinese campaign With international
force without e working understanding as 10 the
duties Of each Of the Powers represented It
was suggested that an International conference
be called hastily. at one Of the capitals-Lon-
don. Berlin, Paris or Westinghouse define the
part 70 be taken by each Power and the quota
OF troops 10 be furnished by II, and to arrange
for the selection OF a commander in chief Of the
allied forces.
This suggestion was not favorably received
I vas felt by the Cabinet that the United States
should send what force seemed necessary TO
China and should not make any agreement
with other Powers as 10 the number. This de-
ctsicn involves the increase Of the force des-
tined for China. The responsible officials evaded
any specific statement as 10 the extent OF mis-
Increase, but il was understood that the rein
forcernents would be limited only by the ability
q the Government 10 spare troops from those
commands now in the United States and Cuba
The estimates varied as 10 how many could be
spared. but the general opinion was that some
where between four thousand and eight thou
sand men could be shipped 10 the East from
Cuba and the United States in addition 10 the
troops already under orders 4 statement pre-
pared by Adtutaut-General Corbin shows that
there are now 10665 officers and men in China
and on the way there or under orders Tor
NsgagaE. This table OF CourEe- lncluoes the
9th Infantry. which may not be IN condition for
further service General Woods last reports
indicate that owing 10 the tranquility prevail
Ing IN Cuba II viii be safe 10 decrease the mill
tary force there largely. But even with these
Cuban troops l. viii be necessary. If the Caol-
nets plans are carried out, 70 dtvest the home
posrs O. garrtsons except in case Of the heavy
artillery organizations aJ seacoasr points
About all the troops within The United States
that would be available for Chinese service IN
Ger e call are these regiments: The ID, 9TH 7th.
sth and 10Th Cavalry, intact; one squadron each
q The Isr and the 9Th Cavalry. the 1st, 10Th and
11th Infantry complete; one battalion each OF
The "a 5rh, Trh, 18th. 18th, go and 18th In
tantry and three companies Of the 24th IN
tantry. This available force Of cavalry and
infantry aggregates about 1900 men Some ar
r-ery undoubtedly would be sent, and there
are Llghr Batteries K, Of the 1st Artillery, and
4 and 2 of the ID c and T Of the 3D. 2 OF the
zth, Of tne 9TH and c and N OF the Ith
available. There are, beSsdes, Companies { ana
D q the Engineers. anecfour companies Of the
Signal Co-cs.
Secretary Root was reluctant 70 ADMIT Iha'