Evening star., 1901-02-19
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Latest Movement in China Discussed
by Cabinet.
COURSE WILL NOT Be CHANGED
United States viii Not Participate
in German Expedition.
OTHER MATTERS MENTIONED

The latest movement in China was the
main subject discussed by the cabinet in
the session of more than two hours held
today. Secretary Hay. who Is still show
ing the effects of his illness. talked to the
President and cabinet of the situation In
China as understood by him from dispatches
received from Minister Conger and other
sources. The conclusion reached after the
discussion was that this country will not
change its course in China, and this an
nouncement was made by Secretary Hay.
This. of course, means that the United
States will not join in the expedition being
arranged by Count Won Waldersee, the Ger
man commander. Gen. Chaffee will be in
structed accordingly if he has not already
received instructions, and in addition the
position of this country will be made known
10 the other powers interested. Whether
this will be done for the purpose Of seeking
aid and recognition for the position of the
government or as a matter of information
has not been made public
Further Military Operations Unwise.
The cabinet went over the matter thor
oughly and was practically unanimous in
the view that further military operations
against the Chinese will be unwise and un-
Just, The cabinet does not want to assume
that China is acting in bad faith, is delay
ing the peace negotiations and is secretly
preparing for more trouble While these
facts may be so and while the slowness of
the Chinese is exasperating, the admins
tration does not believe that the of
force to hasten the negotiations is fair
means of impressing the Chinese. If Chi
mas bad faith Is shown later and the ne
cessity arises for a resumption of military
operations this country will proceed to act
the situation then may dictate. The
United States troops have done little of
an offensive nature since arriving at Pekin,
and unless a change is imperative this will
continue to be the condition far this
country Is concerned
Cuba and an extra session were topics
of discussion. The President and cabinet
do not see that the situation of affairs has
changed so as to preclude an extra session.
Russian Sugar Complication.
The Russian sugar complication was
touched upon by the cabinet A dispatch
vas read from Charemagne Tower, the
nited States ambassador to Russia. say
ing that the tone of the Russian press is
friendly and that the Russian newspapers
Indicate that the solution Of the whole
matter will have to be worked out some
other way than by reprisals. Mr.. Tower
urges the newspapers of this country to
likewise treat the subject fairly and with
out hot words. and expressing the hope
that the whole matter will work out to the
satisfaction of both countries.
Cabinet members said after the meeting
that the President has not definitely decided
upon successor to Attorney General
Griggs. but they admit that there is
strong impression that Philip C. Knox of
Pittsburg may be the man. II is said that
the fact that Mr.. Knox is from Pennsylva-
MIA will not deter the President from offer
ing him the place if he 50 desires. A cabi-
net office is regarded a personal appoint
ment with the President, and not subject to
the usual political rules. Mr., Knox and the
President have long been personal friends
More than anything else. the President be-
lieves Mr.. Knox to be one of the most emf
neHt lawyers in the country.
Black walnut canes were given to the
cabinet members today by the President.
The canes were sent the President from
Illinois. and were cut from walnut tree
on the farm formerly the property of Abra-
ham Lincoln. in Harristown township, Ma
con county, ILL.,
Telegram From ConHer.
During the cabinet meeting today tele-
gram from Minister Conger was submitted
il relation to the proposed German military
expedition. and 1t appeared that our min
ister had already protested against such
hostile expeditions. This protest was made
10 the council of ministers, and IT was in
effective the other foreign ministers taking
the ground that they had no authority to
interfere with military operations in any
way.
The next logical step for our government
Is 10 address itself directly to the home
offices of the powers. This course will be
pursued unless II shall become unnecessary
through an acceptance by the Chinese gov
ernment of the ministers ultimatum re-
specting puniShments. In the latter case
the negotiations will begin again, with the
subject of indemnities to be first consid-
cred
As il is felt to be the part OF sound policy
to endeavor to check further military oper-
ations upon helpless people it is probable
The State Department will endeavor TO as
certain what support il can secure for
dissent from the German program. 1t is
stated unequivocally by competent author
ity that the American military forces Will
under no circumstances. participate with
the Germans in the proposed expedition.
To Avoid Offending German Pride
II is realized TO be extremely desirable
To avoid offending 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 govern
ment alone. but with powerful seconds in
the shape of Russia and perhaps japan
the German government will be brought
to see that good policy and good faith
both will be best served by avoiding inter-
ference with the peace negotiations at this
stage. The United States government
stands steadfastly by the principles laid
down in Secretary Hays letter of July 3
last. and as ii secures the adhesion of all
the interested powers to that statement of
principles. il is hopeful that by calling
attention to proposed infractions these may
be prevented.
Mr.. Conger's last message touching the
subject of punishments gave IL to be I'M
derstood that the Chinese government has
agreed TO exile Princes Tuan and Ian with
out capital sentences; TO recommend sui
eide to Prince Chwang; death for Yu
Hsien. Chao Chi Chao; for Wing Men i'm
prisonment and degradation from Office
N N-af dot tral
for Chi Hsiu and Hsu Cheng Yu. 1t is
stated that edict already has been
issued TO execute these sentences accord
ingly.
Hawaiian Judge.
The President sen, the following nominal
tion TO the Senate today:
George ID. Gear of the territory of Ha-
wall. 10 be second judge of the circuit court
Of the first circuit Of the territory of Ha-
wall.
For BeneAt of the Poor.
Mr.. John Joy Edison, treasurer Of the AS
socisted Charities. acknowledges receipt
- ~, f.tI MAJ.