Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-23
SHERMAN TO SAIL NEXT MEE1|NGPLACE
May Not Await Arrival of the Metropolitan Baptist Church
Thomas at Manila. Selected for 1912.
CHANGE IN PLANS MADE T0 ORGANIZE DAN SOCIETY
for Columbia Association Plans Helm
parently Not Urgent. Churches in the District
REBELS ADVANCE ON NANKING COMMITTEE REPORTS TONIGHT
Is Bel
ing Awaled-Gunboats Address by Colgate
dent
May Not Await Arrival of the
Thomas at Manila.
CHANGE IN PLANS MADE
Need for U. S. Troops in China Ap-
parently Not Urgent.
REBELS ADVANCE ON NANKING
Decisive Battle of Revolution Is Re-
ing Awaited-Gunboa
Leave Chinkiang.

The army transport Sherman. now at
Manila, ready to embark the 9TH In
| fantry for the United States, probably
will sail three or four days before the
transport Thomas, now carrying the 18th
| Infantry to the islands, is due
| When the situation in China reached
such a stage that it was believed that
it might be necessary to send American
troops to cooperate with other foreign
powers in keeping the railroad between
Picking and the sea open, it was deemed
advisable to delay the sailing of the
Sherman November IL until another
transport was due.
Although it has not been decided
whether the Sherman will await the
actual arrival of the Thomas, it is be-
lieved that it will be safe to let her
sail several days ahead of the arrival
of the latter vessel. The purpose of
the army is to keep a troop transport
ready in the vicinity of the islands for
sailing with troops at a moments notice.
China Makes Explanation.
The explanation of the purpose of the
Chinese government to live up to its for
eign obligations came to the State De-
partment today from the Chinese legation
in this city. which had been instructed
to communicate with the State Depart
ment on the subject by the Chinese for
eign Office. This statement reads:
ION account of the disturbances
throughout China the postponement of
the date for the November payment of
these the Boxer) indemnities has become
no at m
of the new cabinet by the premier, Yuan
Shi kai, he gave special attention to the
indemnity matter. The inspector general
Of the imperial maritime customs of
China. who is an Englishman, has been
directed by the Chinese government to
issue general instructions to the commits
sioners at the various treaty ports to de-
post all the receipts from the maritime
customs with the foreign banks located
in those ports, the moneys SO received to
be used for the service of Chinas foreign
debts. including the 1901 (Boxer) indem-
miles,
Personal conferences today in their Of
fees between the Secretaries of State,
War and Navy gave rise to the surmise
that the Chinese situation was under dis
cussiOn, but none Of the officials con-
cerned would make any statement on
that subject. 1t was not even possible to
secure confirmation Of the report from
Manila that the 18th Infantry, which is
between
Guam and Manila, is to be sent to China
directly upon arrival at the latter port.
Willing to Send Troops.
The fact is that the military authorities
are ready to meet any reasonable demand
for troops to be used in China, and
whether the organization selected shall be
the 10Th Infantry, the 7th or the Goth will
ho <Lo Go
received from the President for the dis
patch of troops. If these are wanted i'm
mediately. then some of the regiments
now at Manila will go forward. If there
Is no emergency and there is reasonable
certainty that the formation of early ice
In the Chinese ports will not prevent the
landing of troops for fortnight, then
the choice probably will fall upon the
10th Infantry, which is not due in Manila
until about December 1.
1t is intimated at the State Department
that 1t will be for the council Of foreign
ministers In Peking to determine whether
troops are needed at ALL and If so, when
and in what proportion they shall be
furnished by the powers interested in
China. 1t is understood, as to this latter
point, that some such agreement has been
reached, as the result Of an inquiry di-
rected by the State Department to the
various foreign offices about two weeks
ago, and If SO. what threatened to be one
serious cause for friction has been re-
moved.
That the Chinese government, and even
the revolutionary leaders, are desperately
alarmed at the possibility of foreign in
PREVENTION in their struggle is certain,
and probably it is owing to the appeals
reaching the ministers from these sources,
to keep foreign troops out Of China to
avoid precipitating a possible massacre
of all foreigners at unprotected points,
that the foreign ministers are hesitating
to give the word for the landing of their
troops.
Advancing on Marking.
Advances Of the rebel forces, both
naval and land, toward Marking. where,
it is expected. the decisive battle Of the
present rebellion will be fought, were
reported to the Navy Department to-
day by Rear Admiral Murdoch, COM
mander-in-chief Of the United States
Asiatic feet. which is looking after for
eign interests in Chinese territory
Several OF the rebel gunboats which
have been lying at Chinkiang left that
port today. he reports and now are
sailing toward Marking, where they UNI
doubtedly will assist in the operations
against the imperial forces in that city
About 10000 rebel troops now are
marching toward the scene of the ex-
pected battle. The majority of these
troops are declared to be well drilled
The reports state that the city probably
will be defended.
Great Britain, Germany and Japan each
have a vessel at Marking, and these are
deemed sufficient to give adequate protec-
ton to foreign interests compatible with
neutrality during the operations. The
United States torpedo boat destroyer
Barry and the cruiser Albany reached
Marking and relieved the New Orleans,
which went to Shanghai. The collier
Nanshan is also at Marking The gun
boat Helena today left Wuhu for Han
kOw, making stops at river ports on the
way.
AT Chefoo apparently the imperials
and the insurgents are in accord in one
thing at least, and that is the restoration
OF quiet. From that city reports bear the
information that the loyal forces and the
rebels have joined in establishing order.
Taking Physical Test.
MANILA. November 23.-The Ameri-
can army officers stationed in the vi
cinity Of Manila begin today the pays
| ical test which has been ordered by
| the military authorities This is to
prepare them for a possible call for
| volunteers for service in China, for
! which purpose it is intended to raise
| the 18th Infantry, arriving here De-
cember /, to war strength.
1 divisional hoaduuartora vorv