New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-17
READY TO SEND TROOPS.
IHE ADMINISTRATION WILL, ACT
PROMPTLY IF REPORTS FROM
CHINA ARE CONFIRMED.
LBY TE.EGRAPH TO TIE rR1nr-xn,


Washington. June 16.-Confrmation of the
alarming reports from Hong Kong will result
In the prompt dispatch of Regular United States
troops from Manila to Tien-Tsin In the ab
sence Of all official advices to-day, Peking and
I1en-Tsin being effectually cut off from teIe-
graphic communication, this Government has
confined its activity to effective preparations for
events in China which now promise to exceed in
gravity anything hitherto looked for by the au-
thorities. Officials are hopeful that Hong Kong
has been misled as to the destruction Of the le-
cations and the injury and massacre of mem
bers Of the Diplomatic Corps at the Chinese
capital but the failure for more than five days
OF any direct word from that city to reach the
outside world, with the last discouraging re-
ports from Tien-Tsin before that city was iso-
lated. in defiance of an assembled fleet of forty
modern warships, has prepared Washington to
expect little or no improvement in the situation.
1t is pointed out that Hong Kong cannot by
any possibility secure news from the North Of
China except by way of Shanghai London
and neither of these places has had any fnfor-
nation at all from Pe-Chi-Li Province for
twenty-foUr hours. All news OF Pekng must
come by way Of Tien-Tain and thence either TO
Shanghai or overland through Siberia to Europe
Ie is believed that the excitement in Hong Kong
Incidental TO the hurried departure to-day Of
warships and troops for Taku gave rise TO wild
authentic source. but sent out broadcast at
it's face value. In any event whether the news
of the disasters is corroborated or not, a few
more days without reassuring advices from
Peking or from the international force which is
endeavoring to open the railroad will cause the
United States to adopt extreme measures and
the War Department through the precautions it
has already taken. will be able to start the fast
transports Warren and Logan promptly from
Manila carrying the Fourteenth Infantry, Light
Battery F of the Fourth Artillery a detachment
Of Signal Corps men and an adequate trans
portation and supply equipment. General Mac
Arthur is holding this selected force of seasoned
regulars in readiness. and on telegraphc orders
from Washington which may be sent at any
moment. he can deliver it at Tien-Tsin within
a week
CONFERENCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Secretaries Hay and Root had conference
with the President this afternoon regarding the
sending Of troops to China. The decision
reached that if communication with Ad-
miral Kempff is not re-estab blished within
sonable time troops will be sent from Manila
to reinforce the American contingent. An in
quiry as to what constituted a reasonable time
failed TO secure a definite answer. but the i'm
preston was conveyed that unless Admiral
Kempf is heard from by Monday troops will be
sent from Manila When Secretaries Hay and
Root left the White House they said they had
received no official confirmation Of the alarming
reports from Picking. They were getting to-
gether all the data possible they said, and
would do whatever the situation seemed to re-
auire. The President greatly concerned
over the news but entertains hope that the re-
ports are exaggerated.
FRIENDS OF DIPLOMATS ANXIOUS
The rumor that Baron Won Ketteler, the Ger
man Minister at Peking, had been killed soon
spread to diplomatic circles and caused great
uneasiness as the erroneous statement got
abroad that the State Department had received
confirmation OF the report. AS a matter of fact
neither the State Department nor the German
Embassy knew anything of it. The rumor was
none the less dsquieting. for aside from the
grave international aspect Of such act, Baron
Won Ketteler is well known here having been
first secretary Of the German Embassy up to a
few years ago. Many diplomats and friends
called at the German Embassy to inquire to
the report but the answer given that no
such news had been received, and the report
was regarded with a great deal of doubt
The report Of the destruction of the embassies
and legations al Peking was followed by many
telegrams asking the State Department for in
formation. Some of these came from Iowa, the
home of Minister Conger. and some from friends
and relatives of the other persons connected
with the United States Legation at Peking.
Mrs Baldwin, sister Of Minister Conger, called
at the Department to inquire into the truth Of
the story The Department obliged TO an
syyer that II had no news and could not confirm
the report. 1t apparent that the officials
did not believe that the United States Legation
had been burned, and they only regretted that
they could not make a denial on authority 1t
is said at the State Department that according
TO the last reports there were at the United
States Legation, besides Mr.. Conger his wife
his daughter and at least one woman visitor
the Secretary Of Legation. Herbert c. Sduires
of New-York: William F. Banbridge of Iowa
the Second Secretary; Lieutenant Albert L. Key
Naval Secretary, ard r. j. Cheshire. inter
prefer.
PEACE PLANS OF THE POWERS.
1t is learned in authoritative quarters that the
negotiations relative 10 the Chinese crisis have