The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-19
ORDERS 70 GEN. CHAEFEE
WKINLEY,s GOVERNMENT MUCH
EXERCISED OVER NEWS
FROM CHINA
LATEST FROM MR.. coNGER
Message From Minister at Pekin
Discusses Chinese Edict Con-
corning Punishment for
High OGiciaIs.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s-The United
States government Is facing serious
crisis in China, owing to the announce
ment OF the purpose of Field Marshal
Count Won Waldersee to begin another
offensive campaign. Gen. Chaffee has
been invited to join the expedition.
which is to be modified on larger
scale than anything attempted in China
since the original march to Pekin. The
general so Informed the war department
today, and the officials Of the state de-
partment have been advised Of the situa-
ton. This German movement is viewed
with absolute disnay here, for it Is
feared that it requires an immediate de-
cision by the United States ON its whole
line of policy toward the Chinese ques-
ton. Gen. Chaffee will be told that he
is not to participate in this campaign.
He has been keeping the American
forces in Pekin ever since the city was
paclf1ed, Simply as a legation guard, and
the German government is fully aware
that the United States government pur-
posely deprived the American contingent
In China of its offensive military char
acter and withdrew from the control OF
Count Won Waldersee in order to hasten
peace negotiations and prevent, so far
as 1t could the continuance of military
movements against the Chinese, which
were at once unnecessary and bareful in
their effect upon the peace movement.
So, our government not having changed
it's policy, cannot do otherwise than
cause Gen. Chaffee to refrain from any
participation in hostile military move
ments, SO long as the present peaceful
conditions continue.
But another very serious point under
consideration is not whether Chaffae
shall joint the German movement, bpt
whether it is not the duty of our govern
ment to exercise all proper efforts to dis
suade the German government from I'm
dertaking this campaign.
The Chinese government is unfortun-
ately delaying the peace negotiations in
an eXasperating fashion, and it is not
responding in proper spirit to the effort
of the United States government. Word
has just come from Minister Conger
which confirms the press advices relative
to the Chinese decliRation to accede to
the demands of the ministers in the mat.
ter of capital punishment of the leaders
implicated in the Boxer movement.
LATEST FROM CONGER.
Mr. Congers message touching the
subject of punishments gave it to be I'M
derstood that the Chinese government
has agreed to exile Princes Tuan and
Ian without capital sentences; to recon-
mend suicide to Prince Chwang; death
for Yu Hsien and Chao Pi Chao; i'm
prisonment and degradation from Office
for Ying Men, and some punishment not
yet determined for Chi Hsu and Hsu
Cheng Yu. 1t is said that an edict al
ready has been issued to execute these
sentences. 't.
A visit from the Japanese minister to
the state department served to give color
to. the story that our government is cast
ing about to ascertain how far the other
powers parties to the Chinese question,
will Ind &c, =
possible to secure exact information on
this subject The whole subject, it is
said, is to come before the cabinet meet
ing tomorrow, when the course to be
pursued by the United States govern
ment will be determined. AS it is felt
( to be the part of sound policy to en-
deaVor. tos- check further military opera
lions upon a helpless people, it is prob
able that the cabinet meeting will result
in an effort Of the state department to
ascertain what support it can secure for
q dissent from the German programme.
1t is said unequivocally Ivy competent
authority that the American military
forces under no circumstances will par
ticipate with the Germans in the pro-
posed expedition, and although it cannot
be learned that Gen. Chaffee has yet re-
ceived instructions to that effect, he UNI
Goubtedly will have them very shortly
1t is realized to be extremely desirable
to avoid OFFENDING German pride in this
matter. but it is hoped that by an ap-
peal to the conservative forces of the
empire, made, not by the United States
government lone, but with powerful sec
onds in the shape of Russia and perhaps
Japan, the German government will be
brought to see that good policy and
good faith will be best served by avoiding
interference with the peace negotiations
at this stage The United States gov
ct lU nv no MIN
ciples laid down in Secretary Hays let
ter of July 8 last, and as it secured the
adhesion of all the interested powers to
that statement OF principles, it is hoped
that by calling attention to the proposed
infractions these may be prevented.