The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-30

A Special Meeting Of the Cabinet
Lasted All Day.
INTENSE INTEREST MANIFEST.
Diplomatic Situation Under Discussion,
Not the Military Phase.
q.
ia ZINE FOR CLEARING AWAY
W 3, q.
Uncertainty |%s'aw Exists as to the fu-
. china.
THE NJ ,2Y FEATURE is SECONDARY
%sME FOR CLEARING AWAY
THE NJ ,2y FEATURE IS SECONDARY
1t Is Believed the Point Hus Bcen
Reached Where "A CIcnr Express
sion from Powers Is Necessary.

Washington. August 20 A special
meeting of the cabinet lasting all day
and broken only by a short recess for
luncheon marked the intense interest tho
administration feels in the Chinese prob
lem. 1t was the longest cabinet session
of the present administration. The dip
lomatic and not the military phase OF
the situation in China was under con-
sideration and this accounted for the
presence of Acting Secretary Adee, an
unusual happening at a cabinet meeting.
Mr.. Adee is the medium through whom
the foreign governments communicate
and he has been in receipt of a good
many statements recently Last even
ing he and the French charge, NJ. THE
baut, compared the French and Ameri-
can copies of the credentials OF Ii Hung
Chang. Today he had long talks with
Minister WI and the German charge and
the substance of these conversations he
laid before the cabinet. 1t is understood
that the cabinet today completed prepara-
tion OF plan for clearing away much OF
hAAN NANNi taiubS NhdA INV tAlbbA dS 10 LIZ
future in China and outlined its views
in writing. The fact that the military
situation IS admitted TO be of a secondary
importance confirms the view. though no
cabinet officer would vouchsafe informa-
tion on this point that what is sought is
an agreement among the powers for tor
mirating the indefinite status of aIiairs
in China II Is believed that the point
has been reached where 1t is proper that
there should be a clear expression of pur-
pose en- the part OF the principal powers,
IN order that the United SAFES govern
ment may know how far IL may 20 con-
slstently in the execution of a common
programme. Most OK the objects had in
view BY the president when he made an
swer 10 the Chinese governments appeal
ana began the campaign upon Pekln, have
been achieved. Two others remain 10 be
secured namely: The safeguarding OF
american interests for the future aud
some proper guarantee for indemnlfca-
ton for the expenses of recent opera
tons and losses of American citizens.
Some plan by which the objects can he
attained by the United States, in com-
mon with similar objec;s by he other
powers engaged in China. is thought tea
several problems are attracting special
attention. Thus the sufhciency OF Ii
Hung Chang's credentials as a peace en-.
voy. or, rather, of the ability of the an
peror of China to accredt any one thus,
is matter of international considera.
ton. The United States not only must
SATISFY themselves of Lis competency,
but they must convey solid assurance on
chat point TO convince some of the other
9
would not best be served by speedy
termination OF hostlities in China. 1t
vas the general understanding that the
outcome OF todaY's cabinet meeting would
be the adoption OF policy by the admin :.
istration that would tend to simplifv
these Issues and at least bring to focus
the varying aspirations OF the DO ycrs.
II this can be done then the question 10
be determined Is whether or not the
United States shall proceed further hand
In hand with the allied forces. II Is be-
lieyed that this point is very near de-
cls.on our determination depending upon
the responses made by European nations
TO our Inquiries. The suggestion thu, a
conference be held OF the nations reore
scented in China is revived as an accom-
paniment OF this purpose and IL is poia.-
ed out that with Special COMMISSIONS,
Rockhill Just arriving on Chinese soil
with Mumm Won schwsrtzenstein tho
German successor to Baron Won Kette,nr
already in China. with the ministers resi-,
dent at Pekin. and with the high military
and naval officials In this Pei Ho valley
the material is already at hand for he
gathering OF conference fully e1uinp,1
to deal with the settlement OF China a
future.
Consul Fowler al Chez Foo got ron.
tine dispatch through today of current
date and the navy department has been
informed that the cable company's shin
was about to leave Shanghai today TO lay
a direct cable connecting Shanghai and
Chez Eco, one OF the weakest links in
the chain Of communication at present
These improved conditions as to the OPEN
ing of the communication between our
military and naval commanders and the
authorities was the cause OF the latter
to abandon the purpose, conceived yester-
day. OF employing naval vessels 10 con
yey messages between Shanghai and Chez
Foo Today the German charge DAT
flares, Baron Speck Won Sternberg con-
ferred with Secretary Adee II Is under
stood that any question which may haya
arisen as 20 the future course OF Ger
many is met with reference to an Of
fetal note BY Count Won Buelow Germsn
minister OF foreign AFFAIRS. issued on July
10. which fully defined Germany's pur-
nose in China. Count Won Buelow's note
said "our aim IS the restoration Of se-
eurity for persons and property. freedom
NJ actio. Cor German subjects In China
the rescue OF the foreigners beleaguered
In pekin. the re- establishment OF secur-
itv ana regular conditions under proper
rb,ness government and satisfaction for
.be outrapes committed. We desire no
nartitIon OF China and seek no special
savantages. The imperial government l.