The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-17
NO WAR WITH China.
TECHNICALLY, THIS COUNTRY is AT
PEACE WITH HER.
WILL FIGHT HER ALL THE SAME
UNITED STATES HAVE AN ADVANT-
AGE IN THE SITUATION.


Cannon Declares the President May
Have All the Money Needed to
Push Operations Troops VIII
Probably Be Rushed to China-Es-
Inmates of Those Now There and
ON the Way-Others That Might BE
Sent.
Washington, July 16.-The decision of
the administration at the end of a most
eventful day is that the United States
government is still not at war with the
sovernment of China. The happa nings
a Tien Tsin, coming on top of the
stories of the last struggles at Pekin,
have not affected the attitude of the ad-
ministration on this point; the United
STATES and China are, technically, at
peace.
But this statement should not be ac-
cepted as indicating purpose on the part
Of the United States government to hold
its hand in the administration of swift
and adequate punishment upon the Chi
nese, wi hout regard to station, who may
be responsible for the outrages of the
past few weeks. 1t means simply that
the government of the United States feels
it can best achieve that purpose by re-
garding the status officially as one of
peace. To hod otherwise would setious-
ly cripple the government in its efforts
to obtain satisfaction for the outrages
the Americans in China have suffered.
We should find the ports of China. now
open to us closed, and all sorts of i'm
Hediments would be encountered which
now are missing. Therefore. according
20 the administration view, a declaration
of war would afford not even a techni-
cal gain. while it would be actually
heavy drawback.
Chairman Cannon Of the House ADpro-
priations Committee is authority for the
statement that money in plenty is at the
disposal of the President to meet the pres
ent emergency. and that there is no ne
cessity for called session of Congress on
that score.
Exciting in Washington.
The day was the most exciting Wash
ington has known since the battle of San
tiago. At the very beginning came Ad-
miral Remey's cablegram announcing the
defeat of the allied forces at Tien Tsin,
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 ques-
tions as to the nature of the deliberations.
The best indication of its nature was the
departure for the White House of Sec
retary Hay Immediately after the meet
ing. He sat down and had a long 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 come back
from Canton 90 the national capital.
Talked of Reinforcements.
The cabinet officers talked over the pos
sibilities of reinforcing the troops in
China. There was no disposition shown 10
withhold these troops; the only question
was as to the amount of additional force
available. That was a technical question,
so it was left to the war department. Off
cials to decide. The only point laid down
was that the government would send for
ward all the troops that could be spared
at this time.
One proposition discussed by the cabi-
net appeared TO have a very practical
aspect about ii. Technical men had made
objection to the further conduct of the
Chinese campaign with an international
force without some working understand
ing as to the duties of each of the Pow
ers represented. 1t was suggested that
an international conference be called has
tily at one of The capitals-London, Berlin,
Paris or Washington-to define the part
to be taken by each Power and the quota
of troops 10 be furnished by it, and to
arrange for the selection of a comman-
der-in-chief of the allied forces
This suggestion did not meet with a
favorable reception. 1t was felt by the
cabinet that the United States should
send what force it could dispose of to
China, as far as seemed necessary, and
should not make any agreement with other
Powers as to the number. This decision
involves the increase of the force of
troops destined for China
Troops That Might Go.
The responsible officials evaded any spe-
cifc statement as to the extent of this
increase 1t was. however. gathered thar
the reinforcements would be limited only
to the ability of the government to spare
troops from the commands now i'm the
United States and Cuba. The estimates
varied as to how many could be spared,
nut the general ODlHlOH WdS tidt SOhlt-
where between 4,000 and 5000 men could
be shipped TO the East from Cuba AMI
the United States, in addition to the
troops already under orders.
A statement prepared by Adjt. Gen.
Corbin, shows that there is now a grand
total of Il, Sos officers and men in China.
en- route TO China, en- route to Nagasaki,
or under orders for Nagasaki. This ia
BILE of course includes the Inflated Ninth
Infantry which may not be in condition
for further service.
Gen. Woods last reports indicate that,
owing to the tranquility prevailing in
Cuba il will be entirely safe to decrease
the military force there quite largely. But
even with these Cuban troops, it will be
necessary II the cabinet plans are car
ried out, to divest the home posts Of gar
rsons. save in the case Of the heavy ar
tiuery organizations at seacoast points.
About all of the troops within the borders
Of The United States that would be avail
able for Chinese service. under a call, are
these regiments:
The Second, Fifth Seventh Eighth and
Tenth Cavalry Regiments, intact. one
squadron each of the First and
the sixth Cavalry, the First. Tenth and
Eleventh Regiments of Infantry com
nIete. one battalion each of the Second
Flfth. seventh. Fourteenth. Eighteenth.
Tventy.third and Twenty-hfth Infantry