The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-03-26
American Gunboat for Taku.


Department Of State to the eablegram
from the American Association.
American 6unboat for Taku.
WASHINGTON. March ls.-ostens-
ibly on account OF the disturc% eondi-
lions prevailing in the province Of
Shantung. Secretary Long sent an in
structi0n 70 Rear Admiral Watson this
afternoon directing him 10 order a yes
sci of his command to Taku, 10 give
protection to Americans, especially 70
American missionaries. Administra-
tiOn officials say that the order has no
reference 10 information received from
the American Association of Shanghai
as 10 the hostile attitude Of the Empress
Dowager 10 the open door" policy.
They point out that IL a naval demon
stration were intended a squadron
would be ordered to Taku instead OF
one ship. They pOOh-pooh the idea that
the Empress Dowager has been in
fuenced by a foreign na..on, presum-
ably Russia, TO take the attitude stated
by the association.
Secretary Hay has in his possession
final replies OF all Governments OF Eu-
rope 20 his open door" representa-
tions. and the President has under con-
sideration the question whether or not
to transmit them to Congress in a spe-
cial message. Consequently a hostile
attitude on the part OF the Empress
DOwager on the open door" question
could not be displayed toward the
United States alone, but IL necessarily
would have to be extended TO all other
nations parties 70 the agreement.
At the Chinese Legation no credence
Is placed in the report about such hos
tility. The Chinese Minister has long
been outspoken in favor OF nego-
tiations.
The trouble in the province OF Shan
tung, according to reports received
from Minister Conger which have been
transmitted to the Navy Department
and cabled TO Admiral Watson, arises
out OF operations of the Boxers" a
secret Chinese society which Is endeav-
oring TO drive foreigners out OF China
These Boxers" have been actively op-
Grating since last fall. Protest after
protest has been filed by foreign minis
ters at Picking against the supineness
Of tue Chinese Government in permit
ting them to continue their assaults up
on foreign missionaries and their con-
have been unavailing. II would not be
surprising II all Of the nations having
missionaries in China should deem il
advisable to send men-of-war to i'm
press upon the Chinese Government the
necessity of protecting foreigners.
Duty of Great Britain.
LONDON, March 1.-THE Shanghai
correspondent OF the Times says: Con
currently with the representations of
the American Association to Washing
ton against the anti-fOreign policy of
The Empress Dowager. the China Asso-
citation has suggested to the British
Minister. Sir Claude Macdonald, that a
remonstrance against the action of the
Chinese Government would be consis-
.ent with her policy. The present &C
ton OF the diplomatic body In Picking
appears to indicate acquieseence in the
reactionary policy or the Empress
Dowager."
BERLIN, March 16.-Referring to the
tracks on American miss omar les in
China and to the orders issued by the
United States to Admiral Watson to
erd a warship to Taku to look after
the interest of the missionaries, a high
official Of the German Foreign Office
said this evening: Germany does not
c..-4m authority over the entire Shan
tung peninsula and the United States
Government has perfect right to send
4 ship there for the protection OF Amer