The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-19
4 CRISIS IN CHINA
.,,sHINGToN GOVERNMENT IN
QUANDARY.
OoN'T LIKE EXPEDITION.
rur GERMAN MOVEMENT VIEWED
WITH DISMAY.

,,.;nt.tration Docs Not Want to
sord ChafYee with Won Waldcr-
.ce.s Expedition, and Yet Does Not
want to Be Left in the Lurch-Ger-
many Has Taken Us by Surprise.
DfnIomatic Representations May
II. Wade Against the Enterprise.
vyasbington, Feb. 1S.-The United States
Government is facing serious crisis in
CHINA owing to the announcement of the
,,,,rnose of Field Marshal Count Won
WaIdersee to begin another offensive
,o,,,naien. Gen. Chaffee has been invit-
ed to Join in the expedition. which is to
he modified on a larger scale than any,
+htrg attempted in China since the orig
ina1 march to Pekin. The General so
Informed the War Department to-day
and the officials of the State Department
have bee. advised of the situation.
This German movement is viewed with
absolute dismay here, for it is feared that
If requires an immediate decision by the
limited States government upon it's whole
line of policy toward the Chinese ques-
is not to participate in this campaign.
He has been keeping the American forces
in Pekin ever since the city was pacified,
simply as a legation guard, and the Ger
man government is fully aware that the
United States government purposely de-
prived the American contingent in China
of its offensive military character, and
withdrew it from the control of Count
Won Waldersee in order to hasten peace
negotiations and prevent, so far as it
could the continuance of military move
ments against the Chinese, which were
at once unnecessary and baneful in their
effect upon the peace movement. So,
our government, not having changed its
policy cannot do otherwise than cause
Gen. Chaffee to refrain from any partici-
patton in hostile military movements, so
long as the present peaceful conditions
continue
But Another very serious. point under
consideration is not whether Chaffee shall
Join the German movement, but whether
It is the duty of our government to exer-
else all proper efforts to dissuade the Ger
man government from undertaking this
campaign. The Chinese government is,
Unfortunately, delaying the peace nego-
iations in an exasperating fashion, and
Is not responding in proper spirit to the
aort of the United States government.
Word has just come from United States
Minister Conger, which confirms the press
advices relative to the Chinese declina-
ton to accede to the demands of the
ministers in the matter of capital punish
ment of the leaders implicated in the
Boxer movement.
This message implied that the Chinese
gOyernment has agreed to exile Prince
Tuan and Prince Ian, without capital
sntences; to recommend suicide to Prince
ChWang death for Yu Hsien and Chao chi
Chao, for Ying Men Imprisonment and
degradation from Office and some punish
nent not yet determined for Chi Hsu and
Hsu Cheng Yu. 1t is stated that an
diet already has been issued to exc
cute these sentences accordingly.
visit from the Japanese minister to
he State Department served to give color
the story that our government is cast
hg about to ascertain how far the other
Powers, party to the Chinese question,
sil indorse this proposed campaign. 1t
vas impossible to secure exact informa-
Ion on this subject. But 1t is stated that
The whole subject is to come before the
abinet meeting tomorrow when the
States government will be determined. AS
II is felt to be the part of sound policy to
sndeavor to check further military opera
ions upon helpless people, 1t is probable
that the cabinet meeting will result in
an effort by the State Department to as
certain what support 1t can secure for a
dissent from the German programme.
1t is stated unequivocally by competent
authority that the American military
forces WILL under no circumstances, par
ticipate with the Germans in the proposed
expedition, and although it cannot be
learned that Gen. Chaffee has yet received
his instructions to that effect, ne un>
doubtedly will have them very shortly. 1t
IS realized to be extremely desirable to
avoid offending German pride in this mat
ter, but it is hoped that by an appeal to
the conservative forces of the empire.
made not by the United States government
alone, but with powerful seconds in the
shape of Russia and perhaps Japan, the
German government will be brought to
see what good policy and good faith both
VIII be best served by avoiding interfer-
'nce with the peace negotiations at this
sage. The United States government
stands steadfastly by the principles laid
DOWN in Secretary Hays letter of July 3
asst and as it secures the adhesion of
all the interested Powers to that state
N ent OF principles, it is hopeful that, by
eAlhne attention to proposed infractions,
these may be prevented.