New-York tribune., 1901-02-19
A CRISIS IN CHINA.
THIS GOVERNMENT OPPOSED TO GER
MAN AGGRESSION.

GENERAL CHAFFEE NOT TO TAKE PART IN
Won wALDERsEEs OFFENSIVE CAM
PAIGN-FEELING IN WASHINGTON.
Washington. Feb. 1S-The United States Gov
eminent is facing serious crisis In China ow-
ing to the announcement OF the purpose OF Field
Marshal Count Waldersee 10 begin another Of
fensive campaign. General Chaffee has been in
yited 10 Join in the expedition. which is TO be
modified on larger scale than anything at
tempted In China since the original march 20
Peking The General informed the War De
partment to-day and the officials of the State
Department have been advised of the situation
VIEWED WITH DIsMAY
This German movement is viewed with alb
solute dismay here. for It is feared tha, IT re-
qures an immediate decision by the United
States Government upon it's whole line OF policy
toward the Chinese question. General Chaffee
VIII be told that he is not to participate in this
campaign. lie has been keeping the American
forces In Peking ever since the city was paci-
fed simply legation guard. and the German
Government is fully aware that the United
States Government purposely deprived the
American contingent In China of its offensive
military character and withdrew IL from the
control OF Count Won waIdersee IN order TO
II could the continuance Of military movements
against the Chinese. which were at once un-
necessary and baueful in their effect upon the
peace movement. So our Government not hav-
ing changed it's policy. cannot do otherwise than
cause General Chafree to refrain from any par
ticpdtiOn In hostile military movements so long
as the present peaceful conditions continue.
MORAL sUAsIoN ON GERMANY.
Grafton is not whether Chanee shall Join the
German movement but whether IT Is not the
duty of this Government 10 exercise all proper
efforts 10 dissuade the German Government from
undertaking this campaign.
The Chinese Government unfortunately is de-
laying the peace negotiations in an exasperating
fashion. and is not responding In proper spirit
to the effort Of the United States Government
Word has Just come from Minister Conger
which confirms adyices relative 10 the Chinese
declinatiOn 10 accede 10 the demands Of the
Ministers in the matter OF capital punishment
of the leaders implicated in the Boxer move
ment
Mr. Conger's message touching the subject OF
punishments gave II 10 be understood that the
Chinese Government has agreed 10 exile Princes
Tuan and Lam without capital sentences; to
recommend suicide 20 Prince Chwang; death for
Yu Hsien and Chao Chi Chao; Imprisonment and
degradation for Wing Men and some punish
ment not yet determined for Chi Hsiu and Hsu
Cheng Yu II is said that edict has already
been issued 10 execute these sentences
CABINET To CONSIDER THE QUESTION.
A visit from the japanese Minister to the State
Department served 10 give color To the story
that this Government is casting about to ascer-
tain how far the other Powers party 10 the
Chinese question will indorse this proposed
change II was Impossible 20 secure exact in
formation on this subject. The whole subject.
n was said is TO come before the Cabinet meet
ing to- morrow. when the course 10 be. pursued
by the United States Government will he deter
mined AS il is felt 10 be the part OF sound pol
Icy To endeavOr TO check further military opera
tions upon helpless people, 1t Is probable that
the Cabinet meeting will result I'm an effort by
the State Department 10 ascertain what sup
port il can secure for dissent from the Ger
man programme.
IL is stated uneqIivOcaly by competent au-
thority that the American military forces under
no circumstances will participate with the Ger
mans in the proposed expedition. and although
it cannot he learned that General Chaffee has yet
received instructions To that effect he undOubt-
edIy viii have them very shortly.
WITH THE AID OF OTHER POWERS.
III Is extremely uesilaple to dNoiu oHenulhB
German pride in this matter. but il is hoped
that by an appeal to the conservative forces OF
the Empire. made not by the United States
Government alone, but with powerful sec
onds in the shape of Russia and perhaps Japan
the German Government will be brought 10 see
that good policy and good faith both will be
best served by avoiding interference with the
peace negotiations at this stage.
The United States Government stands stead
fastly by the principles laid down in Secretary
Hays letter of July 8 last. and as it secured the
adhesion of all the interested Powers TO that
statement OF principle 1t is hopeful that by
calling attention to proposed infractions these
IN ha ID