Evening star., 1901-02-18
CRISIS IN CHINA
1t is Precipitated by Count Walder-
sees Offensive Tactics.
POSITION OF THIS GOVERNMENT
Speculation as to Course to Be
Pursued Regarding the Germans.
\ SERIOU : PR y b l. + NJ

The United States government is facing
a serious crisis an China, owing to the an
nounccment of the purpose of Field Mar
shal Count Waldcrsce to begin another Of
fensive campaign. Gen. Chaffce has been
invited to Join i'm the expedition. which is
to he mObil:Zcd on larger scale than any
thins attempted in China since the original
march To Pclin. The general 50 informed
the War Department today, and the Off
cials of the State Department have been
advised of the situation.
This German movement is viewed with
absolute diSmay here. for it Is feared that
1t requires immediate decision by the
United States government upon its whole
line of policy toward the Chinese question.
Gen. Chaffee will be told that he is not to
participate in this campaign. He has been
keeping the American forces in Pclin ever
since the city was paciiod simply as a le-
cation guard.
Aware of Our Purpose.
The German government is fully aware
that the United States government pur-
poseIy deprived the American contingent
I'm China of It's offensive military charac-
ter and Withdrew ii from the control of
Count Won Waldersee in order to hasten
peace negotiations and prevent. so far as
il could. the continuance of military move
mentS against the Chinese. which were at
once unnecessary and bauefui in their effect
upon tn" peace movement. So our govern
ment. not having changed its policy. cam
not do otherwise than direct Gen. Chafee
To refrain from any participation 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 not the duty Of our government to eX-
ercise all proper efforts to dssuade the
German government from undertaking this
campaign.
\ Complicated Question.
The argument in favor Of doing this is
based upon the absolute conviction that
the reopening of the campaign Will eff
fectually kill the present negotiations for
a peaceful outcome in which the United
States is so vitality concerned. Also it is
perceived that the position of the Ameri
can military contingent will be anomalous
and IT will be extremely difficult for them
to maintain correct attitude of perfect
neutrality. II they take no part in the
campaign. and it comes To division of
China or any other outcome that may be
expected in the present temper of the Ger
mans, then there is a great likelihood that
the United States will he left out entirely
in the settlement. and that shall lose
all Of the advantages that Will accrue to
other powers. on the other hand. the
State Department is convinced that il has
no moral right To prosecute such a war
against the Chinese as is proposed, and II
feels that il must adhere to the line OF
policy already adopted. The situation is
likely TO result in some active exchanges
between the State Department and the
various foreign offices almost imme diately.
EXnsperating Course of Chinese.
The Chinese government IS unfortunately
delaying the peace negotiations in an ex-
asperating fashion, and is not responding
in proper spirit to the efforts of the United
States government Word has just come
from Mr.. Conger which confirms the press
advices of yesterday relative to the Chinese
declinatiOn to accede to the demands of
the ministers in the matter of capital pun
ishment of the leaders implicated i'll the
Boxer movement. II is regarded here as Le-
cultarly unfortunate that this point in the
negotiations cannot be successfully passed,
because after all it is the one which af-
fords those powers suspected Of a purpose
10 divide China the very best preteXt in in
dulging in further hustilites.