Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-16
State Department Without Definite
Information From China.
AMERICAN TROOPS MAY Be SENT
No Confirmation of Destruction
Of Foreign Legations.
GRAVE APPREHENSION FELT

United States consuls in north China ports
are silent. Admiral Kempff has not been
heard from since yesterday. This absence
of official reports has given rise to grave
apprehension here. 1t was expected that
there might be delay in hearing from Mr..
Conger, but in the case of Admiral kempf
an early report was looked for, and 1t IS
feared that the officers of the foreign fleet
at Taku have been prevented from reach
ing the cable station there by the open hos
tility of the Boxers or by the sinister or
ders of the Chinese government.
Japan Sends Additional Force.
The only dispatch bearing on China re-
ceived in diplomatic quarters today was one
announcing that Japan would send small
additional force of soldiers and marines TO
Tientsin. This is probably the mixed regi-
ment reported from Yokohama as about to
embark. mixed regiment, under the jap
anese system, will include cavalry imam
try and artillery, with corps of engineers.
sappers and an ambulance party. The en-
gineers and sappers are counted on as pc
ing particularly serviceable just now IN
helping forward the expeditionary force
now in rather precarious situation Two
thirds of the way to Pekin.
Want Statement From Kempn.
Yesterday Admiral Kempf was called
upon by direction Of the President for an
explicit statement Of the situation and his
needs. 1t was for him to say whether he
required reinforcements and troops. II he
is cut off from reply, then the government
must act without waiting much longer.
OF course in that case 1t would have to
proceed upon the theory that additional
force, both ships and troops perhaps is
needed.
The element which advocates the use of
troops at once Is finding strong support in
the apparent inability OF the relief column
to reach Pekin. They argue that sailors
and marines are well enough IN operations
along the sea coast. but that they are help
less in a hostile country away from their
base. There Is nothing corresponding to the
transportation branch Of the quartermas-
ter's department in the naval service.
Sailors at a DISADVANTAGE.
1t appears from the reports that with the
railroad destroyed and without wheel or
animal transportation, the relief column Is
in a bad way The country will not afford
either animals or vehicles. and everything
must be carried on the backs of the sailors,
or drawn by coolies. The regular troops
with their admirable quartermaster de-
partment would be perfectly at home In
such surroundings. and it is probable that
this consideration will enter. with others,
into the proba BILE resolution of the adminis-
tration to send troops to China.
Minister WI in the Dark.
Nothing has been heard here from any
official source to confirm the alarming re-
ports of the destruction of the embassies
and legations In Pekin and in view of the
fact that the government Itself is not able
to open communication with the scene of
the troubles the officials are inclined to
doubt whether private enterprise could do
more. In other words. they do not believe
the report. Minister WI of the Chinese le-
CATION here called at the State Department
this forenoon. but he declared that re was
without any advice from his own govern
ment stating that his visit to Secretary
Hay had reference to a personal matter.
Rumor of kettIer's Death.
The unconfirmed and unofficial rumor
that Baron Won Kettler, the German min
lister at Pekin. had been killed soon spread
to diplomatic circles, and caused great I'M
easiness. as the erroneous statement got
abroad that the State Department had re-
ceived confirmation of the report. AS a
matter Of fact, neither the State Depart
ment nor the German embassy knew any
thing of the report. The rumor was none
the less disquieting, for aside from the
grave International aspect of such act,
Baron Won Kettler is intimately known
here having been first secretary of of the
German embassy up to a few Years ago.
later marrying an American girl. daughter
of President Ledyard of the Michigan Cen
trail railroad.
Many diplomats and friends called at the
German embassy to inquire as to the re-
port. but the answer was given that no
such news was received, and the report
was regarded with great deal Of doubt.
Heavy Bill of Damages.
1t is said that the operations of the
Boxers in China are rolling up heavy
bill of damages against the Chinese gov
eminent, and that will be made the sub
ject of a strong demand for indemnity by
the United States as soon as order Is re-
stored in China. 1t Is held that under the
terms of our treaty with China not only
are American missionaries entitled to the
protection of the Chinese government, but
even their native converts. This state
ment would seem to afford a new ground
for the demands of the missionary element
uron the government in respect to the
Boxer troubles.
According to the doctrine that we have
ourselves laid down in the case Of the Tur-
kish missionary claims the Chinese govern
ment can be held responsible for OutrageS
committed against American citizens. even
In times of rioting. if the government
troops, its agents, fail to respond to call
That is said to be the case with the
Boxer disturbances. The particular
treaty provision covering the cases Of the
American missionaries and their native
converts IS unique. II Is contained III ar
ticlc - of the treaty OF 1858 as follows:
1.-THE practices of the Christian religion.
as professed by the Protestant and Roman
Catholic Churches. are recognized as teach
ing them to do good, and to do to others
as they would they should do unto them.
Hereafter those who quietly profess and
teach these doctrines shall not be hArassed
or prosecuted on account of their faith.
ANY person, whether citizen Of the United
States, or Chinese convert, who. according
to these tenets, peaceably teach and prac-
tice the principles of Christianity, shall
in no case be interfered with or molested."
Harmony of the Powers.
1t is learned in authoritative quarters that
the negotiations relative to the Chinese
crisis have led to discussion of the larger
subject Of so adjusting and harmonizing
the action Of the several powers interested
as to maintain a complete equilibrium and
assure the continued peace Of the world.
The French authorities have been partic-
ularly active in urging that one of the first
considerations Of any action was to see that
1t tended toward maintaining the balance
between the countries interested in the
east.
There is reason to believe that these rep
reservations have had considerable IN
fiuence in keeping any one of the several
nations from putting a preponderating mill
tary force in China thus leading to counter
action by some other power, and ultimately