Evening star., 1900-09-27
.TUAN'SAPPOINTMEN
Action Not the Result of Our Chinese
Policy.
STATEMENT 0F TEE OFFICIALS
Secretary Hay and the President
in Full Accord.
MORE VESSELS FOR REMEY

The State Department has been advised
by Sheng, the Taotai Of Shanghai of the
appointment of Prince Tuan. the father of
the heir apparent Of China, as grand secre-
tary to the emperor. He says nothing of
the reported designation Of Tuan as presi-
dent, or as a member, Of the privy council,
but 1t is believed here that 1t is entirely ac-
cording to Chinese forms for prince of
Tuans rank to fill both posts simultane-
ously. This Is the more easy of accom-
plishment in his case by reason Of the fact
that a Chinese privy councillor is. like his
English prototype, merely an advisory off,
cial, and is not necessarily in constant at.
tendance upon the throne.
Foreign Misapprehensfon.
The tone of the foreign press comment
respecting Tuans appointment has gone far
to convince the officials here that, either
through rigid censorship. or because of very
inadequate sources of news, the course of
the United States in that matter is being
criticised upon an entire misapprehension
OF the facts. Thus, for instance, 1t has
been asserted with great energy in some of
the continental papers that the course of
the United States In rejecting the German
proposition relative to the surrender of
Chinese officials directly inspired the en-
press dowager to appoint Tuan to be grand
secretary in defiance of the powers AS a
matter of fact the records of the State De-
partment show that Tuan's appointment
was publicly announced September %, hav-
Ing occurred several days previously. On
the other hand, the State Department did
not make public its answer to the German
note until September %, and then at a time
of day which made it impossible for the
note TO nave been received in China and
particularly at the imperial court in the In
terror, for at least one or two days there
after. In the opinion of the officials that
Is convincing evidence that the action of
the United States government in that par
ticular case did not influence the appoint
ment of Tuan.
EngIand's Attitude.
The State Department has not as yet
been made acquainted with the character of
the reply to be made by Great Britain. to
the German proposition, but confidence is
felt that 1t will like it's own reply, except
to the leading feature of that proposition
namely, the demand for the surrender of
the perpetrators of the PeSin outrages as
preliminary to the negotiations, and in view
of the answers already received from other
powers In the same line, the officials are
at loss to account for the statement in
some of the European papers that the
United States stands isolated" in respect
to this German note.
Mr.. Hay and the President.
In view Of the reiteration OF the report
that Secretary Hay is not in touch with the
administration. the statement was made
today by Assistant Secretary Adee that not
a single day. excepting Sundays, has passed
within the last month without the receipt
Of a letter from Secretary Hay treating
upon the current business of the State De-
partment by either DR.. Hill or himself
Furthermore. as showing the character of
the connection kept up by the Secretary
with the department., it is positively de-
clared that on almost every important mat
at@IJ,,
Secretary Hay has not only been fully ad-
vised of the developments. but has actually
shaped them himself, while in addition it is
stated that there has been the closest possi-
BILE agreement between the views of the
President and those of Secretary Hay.
The Secretary has improved rapidly of
late in physical condition, and it is now ex-
pected he will return to Washington early
next week and resume the duties of his
office, relieving DR.. Hill. the acting secre-
tary, who has been suffering from a ma
larial attack.
The Warships Destined for China,
OF the six warships which were last week
ordered to proceed to the orient to REIN
force the Asiatic squadron, the Albany and
the Wilmington have already started on
their long journey. The Albany sailed
from Piraeus yesterday and today the Will
mngton left Montevideo for Bahia, Brazil.
Thence she will cross the Atlantic and pro-
ceed via the Mediterranean. 1t was ex-
pected that the big battle ship Kentucky,
one Of the vessels ordered to the east
would not be delayed beyond few days in
her preparations, but after going into dry
dock at the New York yard yesterday it
was decided, after consultation with the
naval authorities here, to make some
changes which will probably delay her de-
parture for three weeks. The principal
alterations will be made in connection with
her turret guns. Capt. Chester, who COM
mands the Kentucky, found, after firing,
tNat the turret guns ran out too quickly
and made too great a shock on the gun
carriages. The ordnance bureau therefore
decided to put in counter recoil checks to
remedy that defect. The work. will prob
ably require ten days or two weeks.
The converted yacht Dorothea, fitting out
at the League Island yard, is expected to
be able to sail in the course Of ten days.
Capt. Helm, who is to command her, was
in command Of the Hornet during the
Spanish war, and is considered one of the
ablest Of the younger line officers. Some
question has arisen concerning the ability
Of the Dorothea to make the long sea yoy
age owing to her limited coal capacity.
She is thirteen-knot ship, Of 900 tons
burden, but carries only about ninety tons
of coal in her bunkers. Even If she cross
ed the Atlantic via the Bermudas and Cape
Verde Island, which would reduce her unin-
terrupted run to the lowest possible dis
tance, 1t would require six and possibly
seven days for her to cover the stretch
between the Bermudas and Cape Verde AS
her coal consumption is about fifteen tons
a day this would exhaust the coal capac-
ity Of her bunkers. 1t will therefore be
necessary to put deck load Of coal aboard
of her or else find room for more coal in
her hold.
The gunboat Vicksburg is fitting out at
the Norfolk yard and the gunboat Annap-
oils at the Boston yard. The preparations
aboard the Annapolis will require several
weeks, as she was fitted out after the Span
ish war for use as training ship.