Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-06-21
4 MILITARY CONTINGENT.
It Seems Probable That United
States Troops Will Have to
Be Sent to China.
A MATTER OF RESCUE AND PROTECTION.
A SUFFICIENT Number of Marines and
JacI<ies Can Not be Spared From
Our Ships to Make Our Force Pro-
portfonate to the Others Engaged
I'm the Joint Effort.

washington, June 16.-1t seems
probable that, after all, the United
States troops in the Philippines will
be called upon to furnish contingent
to assist in the rescue of the foreign
missionaries in China, and in the pro-
lection of the foreign embassies and
legations. A great change has come
over the administration in this re-
gard, for as late as Thursday there
was a firm determination not to go
beyond the employment of marines
and sailors.
The Governments Purpose.
There was still such a purpose
when the cabinet met, and there is
even now a disposition tn limit the
United States forces employed to the
navy, if sufficient force can be secured
from that branch of the service.
So inquiries are being made of the
navigation bureau and, in turn, of Adj
miral Remey, to see to what extent
the United States forces in China can
be augmented. 1t IS realized that the
small force now engaged is entirely
disproportionate, when compared with
ests and duty of the United States.
A Matter of Grave Concern.
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 had much to do with bringing
about the determination to increase
the United States contingent as has
the direct appeals of the friends of the
missionaries in the United States.
Navy Has Done All 1t Can
There is reason to believe, however,
that the navy has done all that it can
do with safety in China at this stage,
and that recourse must be had to the
army. Already Admiral Remey has
indicated that he can not spare more
marines, and he is looking to the navy
department for another battalion to
replace the men he has been obliged to
withdraw from the naval station at
Cavite to assist Admiral Kempff
Need for All Available Marines.
There is genuine need for all the
available marines at Cavite, and it is
said here that the naval vessels in the
Philippines are fully and profitGbly en-
gagged in scouting through the archi-
pelago and preventing the landing of
filibuster.ng expeditions with supplies.
Constructing Dispatch of Troops.
Therefore, it is admitted, that the
cabinet is seriously considering the
dispatch of troops TO Tien Tsin, and it
is understood that inquiries are being
made, probably directed to Gen. Mac
Arthur, as to the number of troops
that can be spared for this emergency,
and the possibility of securing trans
portation for them.
IL Would Take a Week.
The troops could not be gotten to
Tien Tsin in less than a week, even if
the order for their employment should
go forward Immediately. That the
crisis is by no means pest, but on the
contrary is rather more acute, is evil
denced by a cablegram received by the
state department from the United
States consul at Tien Tsin, Mr.. Rags
dale.
MODS Are i'm Control.
He says that the mobs are in control
of the native city of Tien Tsin, and
the authorities do not seem to be able
to do anything with them. He adds
that the foreigners 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 lying off Tien
Tsin, which is also the depot of the
RELIEF column. Fortunately, the Nash
vile and the Monocacy are just about
due at Taku, and one or both of these
vessels will soon be able to command
the situation at Tien Tsin.
Troops Available.
The records of the war department
show that there are now in the city of
Manila and vicinity the Fourteenth
and Twentieth infantry, and one bat
terry each of the Third, Fourth, Fifth
and Sixth artillery, less than 5000 SOL
diers, altogether. There are however,
no less than $1,000 soldiers distributed
among the various posts outside of
Manila, and some of these would GER
tainly be called upon to furnish gar
risons for the city in case the above.
mentioned troops be sent to China.
Joined the General Conference.
Minneapolis, Mimi, June 16.-Twen-
" additional congregations were ad
lnitted to membership in the general
conference of the United Norwegian