The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-17

sides Companies c and D of the Engin-
eers, and four companies of the signal
corps.
Root Was Reluctant.
Secretary Root was reluctant to admit
that there was any necessity for more
Anne rican troops in China, and at the
close of the Gay he said that thus far he
had issued no orders for reinforcements.
Continuing, he said that the regiments
already slated for Chinese service, those
now in China, and those ahoat amount
20 1856 men of all arms. Secretary Root
said that in view of the small standing
army of the Unit ed States, of our insig-
nihcant force of field artillery, as com
rared with that Of the great European
Powers and of our lack of territorial in
terest in China, this 1000 men repre-
sented more than the United States pro
rata share of the in ernaticnal force
which is to operate against Pekin.
The war department, he said. so far has
responded in full to every demand made
upon Il by the joint conference of foreign
commanders in China. The situation has
changed rapidly from day to day as
10 alter the estimate of the foreign COM
manders several times. 1t is possible that
the estimate of troops needed for Chinese
service will be again increased. If so che
United States will respond. BY securing
this country and denuding it of all regular
troops, except a very few of the heavy
artillery in charge of valuable seacoast
guns, and by making still further de-
mands upon forces in Cuba and Porto
Rico, we might possibly gather between
5000 and 1900 additional troops. This,
however, would be the limit. unless the
war department disregarded recommen-
dation of Gen. Macarthur and drew still
further on the available troops in the
Philippines. This however, was future
contingency which would not have to be
met till it arose.
Secretary Root expressed the hope that
the first reports of the disastrous battle
OF the 18th at Tien Tsin might prove TO
b. exaggerated, but the war department.
/, was stated had no official information
beyond that transmitted in Admiral Rem-
ey's cablegram of this morning.
Gen. Miles was called upon by Secre-
tary Root during the afternoon to coun-
sci with him to the projected troop
movements. He favors the prompt dis
patch OF a large force to China.
United states Misunderstood.
A good deal of annoyance has been
caused here by the complete misunder-
standing that has been conveyed to the
European nations as to the attitude of
the United States government regarding
the settlement of the Chinese troubles.
This government ipcan be stated author
itatively never has thought OF compro-
missing for money or any other form of in
demnity. Indeed. the subject of money
indemnity or an apology never has been
thought of or mentioned by the govern
ment of the United States. The govern
ment will insist on justice and retribution,
according to the highest authorities.
The war depar tment officials were un-
able to say who commands the Ninth In
fantry since the death of Col. Liscum. The
impression prevails that the lieutenant col
onel of the regiment is i'll at Manila and
that the regiment or what is left of it,
will find it's senior and, consequently,
commanding officer in one of the captains.
incidentally, it may be mentioned that
through Col. Liscum's death Capt. McCalla
of the Newark if ashore, is the ranking
American officer.