Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-04-06
NO FORT FOR OUR LEGATION
American Minister at Pekin to Have No
Stronghold fer Headquarters
NEW TREATY LOOMS UP ON HORIZON
Confederation shown During BOxeI
Troubles Believed TO Have Been
Inspired by some Wise
Chinese Statesman.
oFrom a stafr Correspondent g

WASHINGTON, April 5.-(Special) )-The
War department after consultation between
the president and Secretary Root just be-
fore the president left the city, has decided
that 1t would be unwise to attempt to
fortify the American legation in Pekin.
General Miles, upon his return from the
Philippines made a very strong recon-
mendation in favor OF this project But
the military authorities realized the futility
of any means OF fortifying the American
legation in China in the event Of an attack
by the Chinese with heavy siege guns. II
is very well known that the Chinese have
at their command powerful batteries which,
II trained upon the foreign quarter Of the
city, would destroy every legation in short
order. ANY attempt to fortify the build
ings occupied by the foreign representa-
tives so to resist a siege would be
utterly useless. Should another outbreak
occur among the Boxers and other attacks
be made upon the foreigners, fortihcations
and siege guns contained in the small
space assigned to the legations would be
to no purpose
The United States has fewer men to
guard its legation in Pekin than any OF the
other powers, the total force being only
about $50. On the other hand, the Amer
lean forces in the Philippines are within
1t is probable that in the event of trouble
this country would have in the vicinity Of
the Chinese capital force in excess Of that
which could be so quickly landed by Ger
many, England. France or Russia.
Quiet preparations for the transport Of
a large body of American troops to the
Philippines have been making for some
months past. and in the event OF the quito
probable renewal Of the anti-forelgn upris-
! ing Of 1900 a very large percentage OF the
American forces now in Manila will be
rushed over to China to protect American
interests there.
II is very we'll understood by the au-
thorties at Washington that someone high
in authority in Chinese affairs prevented
the use Of the heavy guns against the
legations during the last uprising. 1t is
believed by these same authorities that
every possible effort will be made by some
of the dowager empress best advisers to
prevent overt acts by the fanatical yellow
men, which overt act would undoubtedly
lead TO a general war.
what China IL After.
One Of the reasons for this desire upon
the part of the most advanced Chinese
statesmen is the hope entertained by such
men as WI Ting Fang. late Chinese min
| lister at Washington, that the new treaty
between the Chinese empire and the United
! States, soon TO be negotiated, will resuit
in certain concessions to China, especially
in the matter of more liberal immigration
| laws During the last months of his career
here Mr.. WI became convinced that there
is a decided disposition upon the part OF
| those Americans coming into close rela-
tions with Hawaii and the Philippines to
H..
sufficient to relieve the labor situation in
those islands The existing treaty with
China will in all probability expire through
notification on the part OF China upon the
day fixed by its terms. This will be within
| the next year. It was first ratified in 1859,
at a time when the commercial relations
| between the empire and the republic were
OF very little commercial value. But since
| the open door policy has been declared,
the United States has every reason to de-
! sire trade concessions at least equal to
those enjoyed by Germany, France and
| Great Britain. Congress has in the past
| declined to concede to Chinese subjects
anything like the same facilities for immi-
| grafton which the enlightened nations Of
| the world enjoy. The Chinese desire more
| liberal laws, so that subjects Of the empire
will be admitted into American possessions
| on terms equal 10 luOSc BTdulcQ Ug dTedI
Britain in Canada at least. 1t is in the
hope OF obtaining such concessions that
the best men of China will use all their
| diplomacy toward preventing an outbreak
which at this time would seriously inter-
/ fere with their desire to secure a more
| favorable treaty with this country.
Tariff Revision Talk.
| 1t is now quite probable that the pro-
posed extra session of congress will not be
! called until after the fall election. The
/ principal reason for this change Of program
| on the part of the president is the fear
! that a September session would result in
| the precipitation Of a tariff changing pro-
gram just prior to ar election. The de-
| termination of the president to secure leg
islation putting the Cuban treaty into effect
at the earliest possible moment is Just as
pronounced now as 1t was on the 1st OF
March, when Mr.. Roosevelt originally de-
| clared his purpose to convene congress In
| October. But the protests against the Oc-
! tober program has been so pronounced and
| so widespread that the chief execu i've has
| concluded that II would be unwiss to open
the tariff debate and the possible defeat of
the treaty legislation before the end OF
the year The so-ealled Iowa idea seems to
/ be gaining strength in the west and 1t will
I take clear headed generalship on the part
| of the managers of the house OF repre- senta-
I tives to prevent attempt at a general re-
vision OF the tariff schedules upon the in
! PRODUCTION OF the Cuban bill into the house
While the opponents OF the Cuban reciproc-
/ ity treaty seem to have lost a good deal
/ OF strength during the last twelve months
| there is a confident air among them today
and they seem to believe that with the aid
| Of the extreme protectionists, who in fear
of general tariff revision may help them.
they can perhaps prevent any discussion
Of the tariff during the next two years. On
, the other hand the presidents earnest
ness in the matter OF helping Cuba is so
marked that the house leaders are already
using all their efforts to solidify the ma
| jority upon a program which will bring
about the enactment Of the Cuban bill with
out general tariff riders
In the senate, however. a different con-
ditlon OF affairs prevails and many demo-
! cratic senator's have declared their pur-
pose to add a general tariff bill TO the
Cuban measure at all hazards. II was be-
cause Of the fear OF some such program
that some OF the foremost sticklers for
senatorial precedents during the last days
OF the extra session OF the senate that the
rules OF that body shall be changed so as TO
limit debate and prevent the continuance
! of the one man DoWer.