The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-16

WASHINGTON. June 15.-The Cabinet
meeting to-day lasted until after l o'clock.
rfuch of the time was devoted to discussion
OF the Chinese situation, which Is regarded
as critical. The severance OF communica-
ton with Picking and the failure to hear
from Minister Conger for sixty hours
naturally creates considerable anxiety. and
the complications in connection with pcssi-
bic future contingencies were talked over,
but nothing further will be done until later
advices are received. No effort will be
spared. however. should the occasion arise.
TO protect the lives and property of Ameri-
can citizens. Secretary Long said there
were still 500 marines at Cavite who were
available in case of necessity.
IL seems probable. however. that the
United States troops In the Philippines will
be called upon TO furnish a contingent TO
assist in the rescue Of the foreign mis-
sionaries in China and i'm the protection
Of the foreign embassies and legations. A
great change has come over the adminis-
tration In this regard. for as late as yes
ferday there was a firm determination not
TO go beyond the employment of marines
and sailors. There was still such a pur-
pose when the Cabinet met this morning,
and there is even now a disposition 10 limit
the United States forces employed 10 the
navy IL sufficient force can be secured from
that branch of the service. So inquiries
are being made of Admiral Remey TO see
10 what extent the United States forces in
China can be available. Ii Is realized that
the small force now engaged Is entirely
other foreign cOntingents, TO the interests
and duty of the United States. The news
paper report that the Chinese imperial
troops are opposing the progress OF the re-
lief column has given great concern. and
without doubt has had az much to do with
bringing about the determination to in
crease the United States contingent as had
the direct appeals OF the friends OF the
missionaries i'm the United States.
MARINES NEEDED AT CAVITE.
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 re-
course 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 bat
TALON to replace the men he has been
obliged to withdraw from the naval station
at Cavite to assist Admiral Kempff. There
is genuine need for all the available
marines at Cavite. and IL is said here that
the naval vessels in The Philippines are
iully and profitably engaged in scouting
through the archipelago and preventing
the landing of fiiibusterIng expeditions with
supplies. Therefore IL is admitted that the
Cabinet seriously considered the dispatch
of troops to Tien-TsiD. and il is understood
that inquiries are being made, probably
directed to General Macarthur, as to the
number of troops that can be spared for
this emergency aud the possibility of Sc
curing transportation for them. The troops
could not be got to Tien-Tsin in less than
a week, even IL the order for their employ
ment should go forward to-day.
That the crisis Is by no means past. but.
on the contrary, is rather more acute, Is
evidenced from a cablegram received by
the State Department this morning from
the United States consul at Tien-Tsin, Mr..
Ragsdale. He says that the mObs are in
control of the native city of Tien-Tsin and
the authorities do not seem to do anything
with them. He adds that the foreigners in
Tien-Tsin are still safe. The surprising
feature of this telegram is the announce
ment that the Boxers are operating freely
under the very guns of the men-of-war, for
IT is understood that several Russian gun
boats are lying OFF Tien-Tsin. which is
also the depot of the relief column. Fortu-
just about due at Taku and one or both of
these vessels will soon be able to
the situation at Tien-Tsin.
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 battery each of the Third.
Fourth. Fifth and Sixth Artillery. less than
5000 soldiers altogether. There are. how
ever. no less than 5000 soldiers distributed
among the various outside OF
Manila, and some of these would certainly
be called upon to furnish garrisons for the
city in case the above mentioned troops
should be sent to China.
IL Is ominous that nothing has been heard
from the United States consul at Chin
Kiang since his first appeal for the send
ing OF a warship to that point. and IL may
be that he, like Minister Conger, has been
Isolated. TIL consul at Che-Foo Is in bet
ter condition, for a cablegram received at
the Navy Department to-day announces the
arrival of the gunboat Yorktown at that
port The vessel probably will lie at Che
Foo awaiting orders. She is within a days
sail of Taku and can be by Ad-
miral Kempff If he needs reinforcements at
short notice. IL is probable, however, that
the Yorktown will serve a better purpose
by remaining I'm the vicinity of Che-Foo.
as the Boxers are reported to be active in
that section of. Shantung. Admiral Remey
as follows: AT Kempf's request / shall
send the Iris about the 10Th with coal and
stores for 900 men for three months" The
Iris is a big colliery and distilling ship. The
800 men mentioned I'm the cablegram make
up the personnel of the flagship Newark.
Monocacy. now on the way to Taku. and
the Yorktown, at Che-Foo, with the marine
contingent ashore in China. The significant
feature OF the message is the indicated