Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-06-16

l o'clock. Much of the time was de-
voted to the discussion of the Chinese
situation which is regarded as critical.
The severance of communication with
Pekin and the failure to lea from
Minister Conger for sixty hours natur-
ally creates considerable anxiety and
the complications in connection with
possible future contingencies were
talked over, but nothing further will
be done until later advices are re-
ceived. No effort will be spared, how
ever, should the occasion arise, to pro-
tect the lives and property of Ameri-
can citizens.
Secretary Long said that there were
still 500 marines at Cavite who were
available in case of necessity.
1t seems probable that, after all, the
United States troops in the Philippines
will be called upon to furnish a con-
tingent to assist in the rescue of the
missionaries in China and in the pro-
lection of the foreign embassies and
legations.
A great change has come over the
administration in this regard, for as
late as yesterday there was a firm de-
termination not to go beyond the en-
ployment of marines and sailors. There
was still such a purpose when the cab
sAot ~oo+ +l;, 4Ii- roaco;a- n1l +boro
is even now a disposition to limit the
United States forces employed to the
navy, if sufficient force can be secured
from that branch of the service. So
enquiries are being made of the naviga-
ton bureau and in turn of Admiral
Remey to see to what extent the Uni
ted States in China can be augmented.
1t is realized that the small force now
engaged
Is Entirely DisproportiOnate
when compared with the foreign con-
tingents to the interests and duty of
the United States.
The newspaper report that the Chi
nese imperial troops are opposing the
progress of the relief column, has CIV
en- great concern and without doubt
has as much to do with bringing about
the determination to increase the Uni
ted States contingent as has the direct
appeals of the friends of the mission
aries in the United States.
There is reason to believe, how
ever, that the navy has done all that
it can do with safety in China at this
stage, and that ecourse must be had
to the army. Already Admiral Remey
has indicated that he cannot spare
more marines, and he is looking to the
navy department for another battalion
10 replace the men he has been obliged
to withdraw from the naval station
ut Cavite to assist Admiral Kempff.
There is genuine need for all the avail
able marines at. Cavite and it is said
here that the naval vessels in the
Philippines are fully and proftably
engaged in scouting through the archi-
pelago and preventing the landing Of
flibustering expeditions with supplies.
Therefore it is admitted that the
cabinet is seriously considering the dis
patch of troops to Tien Tsin, and it is
understood that inquiries are being
made, probably
as to the number of troops that can be
spared for this emergency and the pos
sibility of securing transportation for
them.
The troops could not be gotten to
Tien Tsin in less than a week, even
II the order for their employment
should go forward to-day.
That the crisis is by no means past,
but on the contrary, is rather more
acute is evidenced by a cablegram
received by the State Department this
morning from the U. s. consul at Tien
Tsin, Mr.. Ragsdale. He says that the
mobs are in control of the native city
Of Tiep Tsin, and the authorities do
not seem to be able to do anything
With them. He adds that the foreign
ers in Tien Tsin are still safe. The
surprising feature of this telegram is
the announcement that the boxers are
operating freely under the very guns
Of the men of war, for it is understood
that several Russian gunboats are "
Ing off Tien Tsin, which is also the depot
of the relief column. Fortunately the
Nashville and Monocacy are just about
due at Taku, and one or both of these
vessels will 0 o be able to command
the situation at Tien Tsin.
Three official dispatches were re-
ceived in diplomatic quarters to-day
giving the latest direct information
from the international expedition now
seeking to reach Pekin. In the main