The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-30
HAD AN ALL-DAY SESSION.
cabinet at Washington Discussa.
Diplomatic Phase of Situo+io

"'plomatic Phase of Situation.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.-A sneoio1
Meeling OF the cabinet lasting all daW
ana broken only by a short recess fos
luhcheon, marked the intense ipteres+
the administration feels in the Cbinaso
problem. 1t was the longest cabinat co..
sion OF the present administration ~
ulpIoTnauc and not the military phase of
tne sltuation In China was under consider
aelon'ahu ae TINS accounted for the presence
OF acung Secretary Adee an unusuo1
happening at a cabinet meeting M
Adee Is the medium through which the
IoTelSn governments communicate ona
he has been In receipt of good man,
statements recently. Last evening he
and the French charge. M. Thiebaut
compared the French and American cnn,
les oil the credentials of Ii Hung Chang
Ioday he had long talks with NTfniete,.
WI and the German charge. and tho S,It
stance Of these converse tions he laid bo-
fore the cabinet. 1t Is understood +ba
CABINET today completed preparation of
plan Tor clearing away much 6f the
uncertainty that now exists as to +ho
future in China, and outlined its views N
writing. The fact that the military sit-
uatlon 1s admitted to be Of secondary
inheritance confirms the view, though no
CABINET officer would Vouchsafe inform
alton on this point, that what fs SOUGHT
is an agreement among the powers for,
terminating the indefinite status of af
fairs III China 1t is believed that the
point has been reached where It is prom
er that there should be clear expression
on the part of the principal powers. in
order that the United States NAV know
how far it may go consistently in tha
execution of the common programme
Much Of the objects had in view bv the
president when he made answer to the
Chinese governments appeal, and began
the campaign upon Pekin, have heen
achieved Two others remain to he Sc
cured, namely, the safeguarding of Amer
lean interests for the future, and soma
proper guarantee for indemnificatfon for
the expenses Of recent operations and
losses of American citizens Some plan
by which the objects can be attained
by the United States in common with
similar objects by the other powers en-
gagged in China is thought feasible In
cidental to this main purpose, several
phases of the problem are attracting
special attention. Thus the sufficiency
of Ii Hung Chang's credentials as a
peace envoy, or rather of the ability Of
the emperor of China to accredit any
one thus, is matter of international
consideration.
The attitude of Germany was the SUBJ
iect of much official discussion during
the day, and considerable new light was
thrown upon it. Early in the day the
German charge d d'affaires. Baron Speck
von Sternberg, had a long conference
with Acting Secretary Adea. 1t is un-
derstcod that any question which may
have arisen as to the future course Of
Germany is met by a reference to an
official note by Count Won Buelow, Ger
man minister of foreign affairs issued
on July u, which fully defined Ger
many's purposes in China. This note of
the German chancellor followed within
ten days of Secretary Hays note to the
nowers on July 81, and is somewhat anal
ogous in setting forth Germany's inten-
tions. Count Won Buelow's note said:
"Our aim is the restoration of security
for persons and property, freedom of
action for German subjects in China,
the rescue of the foreigners beleaguered
in Pekin, the re-establishment Of secu-
ritv and regular conditions under a prop
erlv organized Chinese government, and
reparation and satisfaction for the out
RACES committed. We desire no partition
Of China and seek no special advantage.
The imperial government is fmbued with
the conviction that the maintenance of
the agreement between the powers Is
a primary condition for the restoration
Of peace and order in China"
'tThe powers were in complete accord
up to the time of the taking of Pekin.
But with that accomplished, the more
important question arose-as to the future
course of the powers in dealing with
China, and on that there is not as yet
any complete record. Thus far it seems
plain that the United States opposes the
dismemberment of China, or any move
towards territorial expansion there and
in this position Russia and France seem
to agree. On the other hand, while there
is nothing definite ind eating relritoriaj
| expansion, yet the EXCHANGES have iad
to the belief that Germany. Great Britain.
and probably Japan. are not averse n
a &C arse which will bring about territor-
ial divisions within the empire"