The Washington times., 1906-02-16
PREPARED TO SEND
TROOPS TO CHINA
War Department on Watch
in the Orient.
JACK WESTON MAY | A D
Reported to Be Choice of All Major
Generals to Command the
Expedition.
JACK WESTON MAY LEAD

Tho War Department now has officers
In China. maintaining constant ooserVa-
ton of conditions there. The recent
military measures for the protection OF
lives and property in China were IN
auRurated by Secretary Taft. with the
full concurrence of the President
Weston May Command.
There was d rumor al the War De-
partment today that Major General
Weston. Familiarity known as Fighting
Jack Weston, the hero OF many
memorable cavalry encounter during the
civil war. and the winner of further
laUrels as chief OF cOmmissary in the
Santiago campaign. is to command the
Chinese expedition. IL one is made.
This rumor was due TO the fact that
General Weston sailed yesterday from
San Francisco. for Manila. carrying
sealed orders. which. according 10 the
rumor contain his instructions 10 get a
brigade OF infantry. with supporting ar
tlllery and cavalry, into shape for I'M
mediate foreign service.
The story gained color from the TACT
that few men Of general rank IN the
army today have as good qualifications
as Fighting Jack" for war duty.
Secretary Root was the originator OF
the suggestion that the Chinese situa-
ton Justified the Increase OF American
forces in the Orient. President Roose-
Welt laid the case before the IaOlnet
some months ago and the present policy
was agreed TO by the President and his
advisers.
Secretary Root stated the case from a
diplomatic viewpoint, ana secretary
Taft expressed his personal views based
on his observations during his visit late
last summer 10 China.
Army Officers on Watch.
The War Department nov has officers
In China maintaining constant observa-
tons OF conditions there. Many army
men have spent much time since the
United States took over the Philippines
in Chinese territory, and a number OF
these military experts are among the
observers on detached duty in the en-
pire The reports of these officers will
be largely depended on by the Admins
tration In its future decisions on Orien-
tai policy.
Some of these officers have been on
their present assignment for two months.
Their reports nave not yet been received
in Washington. although il is under
stood that they are In close touch with
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, commanding
the division OF the Philippines, from
whose headquarters at Manila. any field
operations In China would be directed
in their inCipienCy
From an army source here, ii is learn
ed that plans have been formulated By
the officers now in China and the mill
taTy information bureau for the first
movements Of troops in case OF an out
break in South China, WaFrantiug a re-
LEI column landing. The plans have
even gone so far as TO include q least
thTee separate Programs for the prelim-
mary stages OF operations IN several
sections OF the empire.
Government Well Intrenched.
The Government now has four sources
of information in China: first the diplo-
matte and consular. agencies; second
the naval forces, including besides the
big ships OF the Asiatic stations, all OF
which are in Chinese waters the small
gunboats FL Cano. and ViUaIobos which
are even now doing what might be call
cd scout duty in the great Yangtse riv-
er district; third, the army observer.
heretofore mentioned and. fourth. thu
missionary and commercial people who's,
communications 10 their home offices n
Inls country are at the disposal of the
State Department