The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-22
A GERMAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN
On Larger Scale Than Any Since the
Relief OF the Foreign Embassies An
nouuced by General vonWaldersee.
General Chafree Invited TO Partici-
pate-To be Instructed to Decline.
Our Government to Attempt to Se-
cure Concerted Effort t % Prevail on
Germany to Abandon the Movement

GUS crisis in China, owing to the an
nouncement of h purposes of Count
Waldersee to begin another offensive
campaign. General Chaffee has been
invited to join in the expedition, which
is to be modified on a larger scale thar
anything attempted in China since
the original march to Pekin. The gen.
| eral so informed the war department
today and the officials of the state de-
| partment have been advised of the sit
uation.
This German movement is viewed
with absolute dismay here, for it is
feared it requires an immediate decis-
ion by United States government upon
it's whole line of policy toward the
Chinese question.
General Chaffee will be told that ne
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 government is fully aware
that the United States government
purpoSely deprived the American con-
tingent in China of it's offensive mill
tary character, but withdrew it from
the control of Count Won Waldersee in
order to hasten peace negotiations, n
| prevent SO far as it could, the con-
tinuance of military movements
| against the Chinese, which was at
one unnecessary and baneful in their
effect upon the peace movement.
So, our government, not having
changed it's policy, cannot do otherwise
than cause General Chaffee to refrain
from any participation in hostile mill
| tary movements, so long as the pres
ent peaceful conditions continue.
Another very serious points under
consideration is, not whether Chaffee
shall join the German movement, but
whether it is not the duty Of our gov
eminent to exercise all proper efforts
to dissuade the German government
from undertaking his campaign.
| The ChineSe government is unfOrtu-
nately 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
Conger which confirms the press ad-
vices relative to the Chinese declina-
| ton to accede to the demands of the
| ministers in the matter of capital pun-
iShmentS of the leaders implicated in
the Boxer movement.
This message implied that the Chi
nese government a agreed to exile
Princes Tuan and Ian, without capital
[ sentence; to Recommend suicide to
| Prince Chwang; death for Yu Hsien
| and Chat Chi Ohao; for Ying Men i'm
priSonment and degradation from
office and some punishment not yet de-
termined for Chi Hsiu and Hsu Cheng
Yu. 1t is stated nat an edict already
has been issued to execute these SEN
fences accordingly.
A visit from the Japanese minister
to the state department served to give
color to the story that u government
is casting about to ascertain how far
the other powers party to the Chinese
question:. will endorse this proposed
campaign. 1t was impossible to secure
a information on this subject; but
it is stated that the whole subject is
to come before the bin meeting to-
morrow, when the course to be pur-
sued by the United States government
will be determined.
AS it is felt to be the part of sound
policy to endeavor to check further
military operations upon a helpless
people, it is probable that the cabinet
meeting will result in an effort by the
state department to ascertain what
support it can secure for a dissent
from the German programme.
1t is stated unequivocally by COM
petent authority that the American
military forces will, under no circum-
stances, participate with the Germans
in the proposed expedition, and al
though it cannot be earned that Gen
eral Chaffee has yet received his in
structions to that effect, he undoubted-
ly will have them very shortly.
1t is realized to be extremely desira-
BILE to avoid offending German pride in
| fhIC moffnr hIlf If io hnna1 fhot hy
n appeal to the conservative forces OF
the empire, made not by the United
States government alone, but with
powerful seconds in the shape of Rus
STA and perhaps Japan, the German
government will be brought tt see
that good policy and good faith both
will be best served by avoiding inter.
ference with the peace negotiations a
this stage.
The United States government stands
steadfastly by the principles laid dowr
in Secretary Hays letter of July 3r6
last, n as it secures the adhesion OF
all the interested powers to that state
ment of principles, it is hopeful thai
by calling attention to proposed in
fractions, these may be prevented.
Berlin, February 1S.-The Cologne
Gazette publishes a dispatch from Pc
kin which explains that Field Marsha
SOUul SOh "dlueTSGS > new expedition
is intended to finally clear the province
of Chi Ii of Chinese soldiers and pro
duce a wholesome dread among tn
Chinese. The German commissaria
department has ordered 1000 transpor
wagons to be ready within eighteen
days.
London, February 1S.-The unde
secretary of state for foreign affairs
explained in the house of commons to
4 90 Co.. oC @L4
was aware no power was contemplat
ing an expedition into the interior o
China
London, February 19.-"Count Vol
Waldersee has prepared his plans 70
the new expedition" says the Pekil
correspondent of The Morning Pos,
wiring yesterday, land it will star
next Saturday. All the powers. excep
Russia and the United States, hav
agreed to allow their forces TO join"