The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-20
is UNCHANGED
STATUS soT ALTERED BY CHINESE
INVASION OF SIBERIA.
II Russia should Formally Declare
War Against China IL Would Make
. Difference in the situation.
CHAFFEE A MAJOR GENERAL
APPOINTMENT CARRIED WITH 1T
VERY GENERAL APPROVAL.
Mr. RoekhiII Is Appointed Commits
sioner to China with General
and PIenipotentiary Powers.
REPORTED DEFEAT OF RUSSIA
HER TROOPS SAID TO HAVE SUI
FERED HEAVY LOSSES.
Hard-Pressed at Niu-Chwang and
Driven Out of Another Town, Ac-
cordins to an English Writer.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF LOSSES
MARINE GUARD LOST FIVE KILLED;
TwENTY-THREE WOUNDED.
Several Of the Latter Seriously Hurt
Hard-Pressed at Niu-Chwang and
eordine to an English Writer.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF LOSSES
MARINE GUARD LOST FIVE KILLED;
TwENTY-THREE WOUNDED.
Several Of the Latter Seriously Hurt
Oregon Safe at Kure and VIII
Be Repaired Quickly.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. July 19.-The recognition
by Russia of a state of war in certain
Amur districts, where the Chinese, act
ing presumably under the orders of Prince
Tuan, have attacked Russian towns, will
not change the status of affairs in China.
Should Russia go TO the length of formally
declaring war against China, ii would
greatly change the existing status. The
other powers would either retire from
China or retire within the limits of their
own spheres of influence. The United
States, having no such sphere, would very
likely withdraw its troops TO Manila. State
Department officials, however. do not be-
lieve the Car intends proceeding against
China alone, as would be the case should
he declare war. They hold that the agree
ment has been for joint action, and that
Russia entered into this plan. Heretofore
Russia and Germany have been anxious to
have limit set to the use of the large
force Japan stands ready to throw into
China the instant the other powers con-
sent In short, Russia, backed by Ger
many. wants to prevent Japan from secur-
ing a foothold on the continent OF Asia,
thus compelling her to remain an insular
appear to change the status so far as joint
action by the powers in China proper is
concerned.
There is not the slightest disposition on
the part OF our government to follow the
example of certain European powers and
to restrict In any way the liberty of the
Chinese minister here, Mr.. WI, in COM
municating with the Chinese viceroys and
whatever remains of the titular Chinese
government. On the contrary, crediting
the minister with an earnest desire to do
everything in his power to protect foreign
ers in the Chinese empire. and confident
that he has no sympathy whatever with
the insurrectionary Boxer element, the
State Department regards IL as good policy
to facilitate rather than obstruct his COM
munication with the Chinese viceroys.
The President to-day appointed Brig.
Gen. A. r. Chaffee, United States volun-
teers. who is to command the American
military forces I'm China, major general
of volunteers. to make his rank commen-
surate with his command. Although Gen.
eral Miles recommended Major General
Bates, now in the Philippines, to be as
signed 10 the command of the troops in
China, he is well pleased with the promo
tion of General Chaffee. His recommends
tion was made on the ground that the
services called for required an officer of
the rank of major general. and he named
General Bates for the reason. mainly. that
General Chaffee only held the rank of
brigadier general
The Cabinet meeting to-day developed
nothing of Importance regarding the Chi
nese situation beyond decision to send
w. W. Rcckhill formerly secretary of the
legation at Peking and assistant secretary
of state. and now director OF the Bureau
OF American Republics, to China TO inves-
tigate the situation and report TO the au-
thorities here Mr.. Rockhill will go as
special commissioner To ascertain the ex-
tent of the responsibility of the Chinese
government, II any. for the existing dis
turbances, and to otherwise furnish the
administration with the information on
which the case of the United States against
China for indemnity and reparation will
be based. He is we'll equipped for the
mission. having been secretary OF the
American legation in Peking for several
years. He speaks and writes Chinese fu-
entity.
For some reason the officials did not care
10 have il known that Mr.. Rockhill had
been selected for this responsible duty.
Within week he will have a final confer
ence with the President and Secretary
Hay. and then will leave for China. He
probably will go 10 Vancouver and there
take the japanese line steamer for Yoko-
hama. proceeding from that point to
Shanghai. Not until he arrives at Shang-
hal will Mr.. Rockhili undertake to outline
his future course. His position is a pc
cuiiar one; he will be actually an ambas-
sador in powers. and so. in the scope OF
his functions. will be akin to President
Cleveland's paramount commissioner TO
Hawaii. Mr. Blount.
Tho administration expects authentic
news from Picking soon; in fact. both the
President and his advisers can hardly un-
derstand why some absolutely reliable
news has not arrived before this time. In
the absence OF any additional information
the discussion in the Cabinet to-day took
q wide range. covering tentatively many
contingencies which may possibly arise.
There was unanimous concurrence In the
9Fesident's action in appointing General