The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-03-14
TROOPS READY TO
INVADE China

WASHINGTON. d. G.. Special
Upon the status OF the Chinese sit
nation today will depend whether
more troops win be rushed from Ma
MIA 10 Tien Tsia for concerted action
win troops of the European powers
In the protection OF the railroad lead
ing from Pekin to that city, and for
the protection OF foreigners In the i'm
perial capital city itself. Approx
mately S,eSe Infantry and cavalry are
aHalaoIe In the Philippines to be sent
on snort notice to China, and a trans
port Is being held at Manila in readi-
ness TO take regiment on board at
once In case the situation should ap-
pear to require il.
AS result OF q conference of the
1oreisn ministers In Pekin yesterday,
l,Oeo troops were rushed from Tien
Isln TO Pekin for restraining effect
upon the mobs nat are now terrorszing
that city, looting and burning. OF this
NUMBER eco American soldiers were
reported to the War Department as
having arrived at Pekin yesterday
morning.
More Troops Ready.
me action of the ministers in re-
lhtorcing the foreign guard in Pexin
was reported to the State Department
yesterday by Mr.. Calhoun, the Ameri-
can minister. He stated that while
agreeing that foreigners should not ac-
lively intervene in the domestic sit
eaton at the capital. 1t was decided.
In view OF the prevailing anarchy. that
the guards should be materially
strengthened - Americans, English.
French. Germans, Japanese and Rus
sions participating. This action was
acquiesced I'm by the Chinese officials
With the 200 additional troops, the
American force In Pekin now totals
ba6 men, including about see ma
rlnes, 100 of whom belong to the per-
manent legation guard. The other
marines were sent TO Pelxin several
weeks ago from the Asiatic naval fleet.
now at Shanghai. awaiting develop
ments. 1t was explained at the State
Department today that owing TO
urgent calls on the part of the for
eign missions at Pekin Mr.. Calhoun
will be able to use the additional
American troops with effect.
1t is likely that at further confer
ences of the ministers il will be de-
cided to call upon their home gov
ernments for still more troops TO take
the place of these 1000 men in guard
Ing the railway, which is the only out
let for foreigners from Pekin to the
sea- By provision Of the protocol OF
tho powers, drawn up following the
Boxer uprising twelve years ago, the
powers are authorized to use troops
II necessary to guarantee the neutral
lily of this road for the exodus of their
nationals in case of emergency.
Regtmena In RcadtReas.
Sometime ago Minister Calhoun ar
ranged with the Chinese authorities
and the other legations for the bring
Ing OF a full regiment of American
troops from Manila, but the exigencies
at that time were held as calling for
only 500 men, which made the total of
the American legation and railway
guards about S5o men BY the dis
patch OF the remainder of the regi-
ment from Manila, this number could
be raised to 1900 In ave or six days,
the time required for embarkation
and sailing from Manila to the most
available point, Tien Tsin-
1t was said by State Department
officials last night that judging from
several messages yesterday and yes
terday evening. that the situation is
not now particularly alarming, so far
as foreigners are concerned, and that
the reinforced legation guard will
doubtless prove sufficient for the pro-
lection OF the missionaries, unless, OF
course. new contingency should de-
velop overnight