The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-19
CRISIS IN CHINA
UNITED STATES WILL NOT COMPLY
WITH wALDERsEE's REQUEST.
General Chrnee's Troops Cannot Par
ticipate in Further Offensive Oper-
ations Against the Chinese.
GERMANS MUCH TO BLAME
FOR THE UNFORTUNATE DELAY OF
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
And WaIdersee,s Proposed Punitive
Expedition VIII Tend to Further
Embifter the Natives.
REPLY OF CHINESE REJECTED
FIRST DEMANDS OF THE POWERS
MUST BE COMPLIED WITH.
Mountain Passes Leading to Si-Ngan.
Fu Blocked I'm Anticipation OF
Waldersee's Attack.
And WaIdersee's Proposed Punitive
Expedition VIII Tend to Further
Embifter the Natives.
REPLY OF CHINESE REJECTED
FIRST DEMANDS OF THE POWERS
MUST BE COMPLIED WITH.
Mountain Passes Leading to Si-Ngan-
Flu Blocked I'm Anticipation of
Waldersee's Attack.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s.-The United
owing to the announcement of the pur-
pose OF Field Marshal Won waldersee to
begin another offensive campaign. Cen
eral Chaffee has been invited to join In
the expedition, which is TO be modified
on a larger scale than anything attempted
IN China since the original march to Pc
king. The general so informs the War
Department, to-day, and the officials of
the State Department have been advised
of the situation.
This German movement is viewed with abb
solUte dismay here, for 1t is feared that
1T requires an immediate decision by the
United States government on its whole
line of policy toward the Chinese question.
General Chaffee will be told that he is not
TO participate in this campaign. He has
been keeping the American forces in Pc
king ever since the city was pacifed, simply
as legation guard, and the German gov
eminent is fully aware that the United
States government purposely deprived the
American contingent in China of its Of
fensive military character and withdrew 1t
from the control OF Count Won Waldersee.
in order TO hasten peace negotiations and
prevent. insofar as IL could, the con-
tinuance OF military movements against
the Chinese. which were at once unneces-
sary and baneful in their effect upon the
peace movement. So our government, not
having changed it's policy. cannot do other
wise than 20 cause General Chaffee to re-
frain from any participation in the hos
tile military movement, so long as the
present peaceful conditions continue
But another very serious point under
consideration is not whether General Chat
fee shall join the present movement, but
whether II is not the duty Of our govern
ment to exercise all proper methods to
dissuade the German government from un-
dertaking this campaign. The German
government unfortunately. is delaying 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 Con-
ger which confirms the press advices rela-
tive to the Chinese declination to accede
20 the demands of the ministers In the mat
ter of capital punishment of the leaders
implicated in the Boxer movement.
Mr.. Conger's message gave 1t to be un-
cerstood that the Chinese government has
agreed to exile Princes Tuan and Ian
without capital sentences. to recommend
suicide to Prince Chwang. death for Yu
Hsien and Chao Chi Chao. Imprisonment
and degradation from office for Ying Men
and some punishment not yet determined
for Chi Hsu and Hsu Cheng Yu. 1t is said
tnat an edict already has been issued TO
execute these sentences.
4 visit from the Japanese minister to the
State Department served TO give color to
the story thai our government is casting
about to ascertain how far the other
powers party to the Chinese question will
iEcorse this proposed campaign 1t was
impossible to secure exact information on
this subject. The whole subject, it was
said. is TO come before the Cabinet meeting
to- morrow, when the course 10 be pursued
by the United States government will be
determined. AS il is felt TO be the part Of
sound policy 10 endeavor to check further
military operations helpless people, it
Is probable that the Cabinet meeting will
result in effort by the State Department
70 ascertain what support IL can secure for
dissent from the German programme.
1t is said unequivocally by competent au-
thority that the American military forces
under circumstances viii partfcipa te
With the Germans in the proposed expedi-
ton. and although it cannot be learned
that General Chaffee has yet received in
structions to that effect. he undoubtedly
will have them very shortly. 1t is realized
to be extremely desirable TO avoid Offend
II < German pride in this matter but it is
hoped that by an appeal TO the eonserva-
tive forces of the empire. made not by the
United States government alone, but with
powerful seconds in the shape OF Russia
snc perhaps Japan. the German govern
ment will be brought to ses that good
y Icy and good faith both win be best
served by avoiding interference with the
peace negotiations at this stage The
United States government stands stead
fastly by the principles laid Iown I'm Secre-
tary Hays letter OF July last. and as il
secured the adhesion Of all the interested
powers to that statement OF Principle. IL Is
hoped that by calling attention TO the pro
pesed infractions. these may re prevented
ENJOYS ARE FIRM.