The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-25
TO CONSIDER THE
FUTURE OF CHINA
Washington May Suggest an
international Conference
OFFICIALS HERE CONFER
Government Firmly Opposed to Divis-
ion of Chinese Territory.
UNDlSTURBED BY THE POWERS GROWING
Nothing Known Of a Declaration Of War by
Russia. Story Of Evacuation Of Pekin by
Chaffee Deemed absurd. Re-
ported Uprising.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, August 24.-The Chinese
situation developed little of Importance
today. 1t is stated frankly by the Off
cials in the State, War and Navy De-
partments that no dispatches have been
received bearing on the problem which
has yet to be solved, namely, the DISPOSE
tiOn OF China's affairs AIT the hands of the
powers. In the absence of other food for
speculation the receipt of two casualty
lists from General Chaffee, dated at Tien
Tsin, were made the basis for report
that he and the American force had
evacuated PeSin. 1T stated at the
War Department, however. that no evil
dence have been received indicating that
General Chaffee had left Pellin, and it
was said that he would have advised The
War Department and given his reasons
for doing SO had he contemplated such
an important step.
Cabinet officer is authority for the
statement that alleged differences among
the powers brought on by the reported
actions of Russia have not disturbed this
Government in the least and there is no
information in possession of this Gov
ernment that Russia has declared war or
that she is pursuing course in any way
different from THAT OF other Governments
that the statements regarding Russia had
not received consideration at the nest
ing of the Cabinet today.
Regarding the attitude of our Govern
ment in case serious differences amonz
the covers should arise as 20 their fu-
ture course in China. it was stated Oh
good authority today that this Government
remained firmly opposed to any territorial
itric c;x nf nc nj
Secretary Hays note of July 3rd. Every
resource of diplomacy will be exhausted
to prevent partition CT the Empire, and it
was said that the diversion of American
troops to Manila already announced by
the War Department. was practical evil
dence to the other powers of the good
faith of the United States in this matter.
Our work in China has been accomplished
i'm large part by the relief of the lega
trions, and our further obligation, that Of
aiding to restore and maintain peace, can
be accomplished through the troops al
ready on Chinese soil.
1t is pointed out however, that in view
of the attitude already assumed by the
United States and the large part it has
had in opening the way to Pekin, this
Government is in a position to demand
mum condition of the final settlement,
in the event of territorial division OF
the Chinese Empire, should that be ac
complished. The United States, of course,
wants no territory, and it is felt that
her rights as to commercial freedom
are too clear to be gansaid by the other
nations interested.
After the Cabinet meeting today there
was an extended conference at the
White House in which Secretary Root and
Acting Secretary Adee participated. The
conference related to Chinese affairs and
it was said to be confined largely to
considering messages received from other
powers on the subject and in drafting
answers to them. The suggestion that
the powers be asked to participate in a
conference or to give some indication of
future purposes in China was believed
to be under consideration and it was in
timated that notes to the different powers
have been prepared. Secretary Root
said at the close of the conference that
it related to matter which needed the
consideration of the President and COW
cred the wide field of Chinese affairs
He said nothing had developed of a Sc
rous nature in the late reports from
China 1t was also stated that the Uni
ted States Government is in frequent
communication with the other powers
regarding the Chinese situation
During the afternoon Acting Secretary
Adee had a conference with the Acting
Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, the
nature of which was not made public
1t was said in the Navy Department,
however. that so far as known here. we
have no warshp at Annoy The Prince
ton has touched there occasionally while
on duty in South Chinese waters but
she is thought to be now in the vicinity
of Shanghai. Dispatches were prepared
in the Navy Department for transmission
to Admiral Remey and although not
made public are understood to have con-
tained Consul Johnson's dispatch regard
ing the Annoy uprising. Acting Secre-
tary Hackett said, however, that no
warship had been ordered to Annoy by
the Navy Department and that he had
no knowledge that any ship had been
sent there. If such a step we're taken,
ne said, it would be by Admiral Remey,
who has entire liberty as to the disposi-
tion of the vessels of his squadron.
TROOPS FROM MANCOC KLAND.
Washington, August 24.-The following
cablegram was received today at the
Navy Department from Admiral Remey:
''Taku, August 22.-Bureau Of Naviga-