The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-16
U. $. Soldier. Going to china.


Washington, November l5,-The
State Department has practically de-
cided TO send regiment of troops
from Manila to Chnwingtao. sea
port in China, about $50 miles from
Picking, on the Gulf OF Pechii The
purpose is to perform an international
duty IN the Boxer treaty in keeping
open the line OF communication be-
tween Peking and the sea.
II was said at the State Department
that request for the troops has not
yet been made on the War Depart
ment. but II was momentariiy expect
cd. The officials were careful TO make
1t appear that the dispatch of these
troops to China would be absolutely
without any political meaning. and
the movement was not TO be construed
as Intervention.
Under the treaty which terminated
the Boxer troubles. the United States.
with other powers. was accorded the
privilege of maintaining a military
force along the limo OF railway be-
tween Picking and the sea In order TO
guard against such an event as the
siege OF the legations during the
Boxer uprising.
Beyond the maintenance OF ma
rine guard of 100 men (only tenn
porarily increased to 20O), tho United
a.
permission. and IL has fallen to the
lot OF other nations principally Great
Britain, France and Japan to main
tain small garrisons along the line of
the road from Ticn-Tsin 10 Peking 1t
is felt that IL is now incumbent upon
the United States to perform It's part
OF this duty, hence the decision to
employ some troops to supplement the
marine guard.
Limited to Regiment.
The fact that the force to bc dis
patched will be limited to one regi-
ment is In itself an indication that
there is no intention on the mart Of
the United States government OF in
dulsing in any large military demon.
stration in China or of taking sides
In the present great struggle for SUI
prcmacy between the impcrlal forces
and the revolutionary party, and 1t Is
declared that no designs upon Chi
nese territory are entertained
The main consideration that prompt
cd the State Department to act Is said
to be the fact that the ports of the
Gulf Of Pechili are closed by ice about
this time every year. and IT will be
necessary to land the troops now 10
they nrc to be employed at all during
tho winter in China.
AS Tien-Tsin lies forty miles I'm the
river from the gulf, and is thus GER
tain to be cut off from water commu-
nication by ice early in the season.
the American regiment probably will
be landed at the port OF Chinwingtao,
which is said to be rarely icebound
This port is located on the railroad
which passes through Tien-Tsin COM
ing from Peking, and Is about $50
miles distant from the Chinese capital
1t is also about 100 miles southeast
of Jehol, which place probably would
be chosen as a refuge by the Chinese
Imperial family, in case tho dynasty
is overthrown by the revolutionarics.
The transport Sherman now lis lying
In Manila harbor. having been de
tanned there at the suggestion of the
state Department She could land n
regiment at Chingwingtao within four
days after she received her sailing
orders. RearAdmiral Murdoch, com.
rnander-in- chief of the United States
Asiatic fleet. has transferred his flag
from the Rainbow to the Albany which
is smaller vessel. and changes his
base from Shanghai to Marking. AS
the Rainbow draws twenty-six and
one-half feet of water, and the Albany
| only sixteen, 1t Is believed the change
was made to enable the commander.
in-chief to proceed up the Yane-Tse
River to be near the troubles in the
interior.