Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-02-28
Ill WILL NOT %
Chaffee Is Not to Join the Ger.
man Expedition.
State Department May Try to Dissuade Berlin
Authorities From Undertaking This Cam.
paign-Chnese Are to Blame.

Washington, Feb. 2O.-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 anoth-
or offensive campaign. General Chat
fee has been invited to join in the ex-
petition, which is to be modified on a
larger scale than anything attempted
in China since the allied army began
the march to Pekin. The general so
informed the war department today.
and the officials of the state depart
ment have been advised OF the situa.
ton.
This German movement is viewed
with absolute dismay here, for it is
feared that it requires an immediate
decision by the United States govern
ment OF its whole line Of policy toward
the Chinese question. General Chaffee
will be told that he is not to partici.
pate in this campaign. He has been
keeping the American forces in Pekin
ever since the city was pacitied, simply
as a legation guard, and the German
SAsO
United States government purposely
deprived the American contingent in
China Of its offensive military char
acter and withdrew it from the control
of General Won Waldersee in order to
hasten peace negotiations and prevent,
so far as it could, the continuance OF
military movements against the Chi
nese, which were baneful in their
effect upon the peaco movement. SO
our government. not having changed
its policy, cannot do otherwise than to
cause General Chaffee to refrain from
any participation in military move.
ments 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 not tue duty Of our gov.
eminent to exercise all proper efforts
to dissuade the German government
from undertaking this campaign.
The Chinese government is untortu'
nately delaying the peace negotiations
in an exasperatin fashion, and Is not
responding in proper spirit to the effort
of the United States government.
Word has just come from Minister
Conget which confirms the press adj
vices relative to the Chinese declina.
ton to accede to the demands of the
ministers in the matter Of capital pun.
ishment of the leaders implicated in
the Boxer movement. Mr.. Conger's
message gave it to he understood that
the Chinese government had agreed to
exile Prince Tuan and Ian without
capital sentences; to recommend sui.
eide to Prince Cnwang; death for Yu
Hsien and Chao Chi Chao; imprison.
ment and degradation from office for
Chi Haul and Hsu Cheng Yu. 1t is
said an edict has already been issued
to execute these sentences.
A visit from the Japanese minister
to the state department served to give
color to the story that our government
is casting about to ascertain how far
the other powers party to the Chinese
question would indorse this proposed
campaign. 1t is impossible to secure
exact information on the subject. The
whole subject, it is said. is to come be-
fore the cabinet meeting tomorrow.
when the course to be pursued by the
United States government will be de-
termined.
1t is said unequivocally by competent
authority that the American military
forces under no circumstances will
participate with the Germans in the
proposed expedition. and, although it
cannot be learned that General Chaffee
has vet received instructions to that
effect, he undoubtedly will have threm
very shortly. The United States gov.
eminent stands steadfastly by the prin-
ciples laid down in Secretary Hay 8
letter of July last.