Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-23
CABINET APPROVES
COURSE OF MINISTER
SCHURMAN IN CHINA

DduuitSs MAY &s.-1 Hc washington
government had been without advice
from Minister Schurman in Picking for
more than "a hours today when the
cabinet met to devote the entire ses-
sion to consideration of the plight Of
the foreigners. including American cit
liens, held as hostages by Chinese ban
dts. In the absence OF information
as to what course the Picking diplomat
ic corps had determined upon with re-
lation to undertaking direct negotia-
tions with the bandits for release Of
the prisoners, the cabinet approved
Secretary Hughes action in awaiting
recommendations from Minister Schur-
man to guide the course of the WASH
ington government.
1t was said emphatically at the
White House that the administration
had full confidence in Mr.. Schurman
and believed the country was fortu-
nate in having a man of his judgment
and experience to represent it on the
scene at so critical a time. The first
and only concern of the American gov
eminent at the moment, it was added,
was that the lives of the captivcs
should be saved and their release I'M
harmed procured.
While it is recognized, the admins
tration spokesman said. that to un-
dertake direct negotiations with the
bandits through the Picking diplomats
would be in effect to waive the ques-
ton of the responsibility of the Pc
king government for the safety of for
jgncrs in its territory, there would be
no hesitation in following that course
in the last resort to get the prisoners
out Of jeopardy.
Earlier dispatches from Mr.. Schur-
man indicated that the meeting yes
tcrday of the diplomatic corps was for
the purpose Of determining whether di-
rect negotiations should be opened with
the bandit leaders. The American
leaders at Linchng. advanced head
quarters of those seeking to have the
foreigners liberated. yesterday express
ed in official communications their be-
lief that further conversations between
Chinese officials and the brigandS
would be futile, and said that Roy An-
derson. an American resident in China
for many years. was prepared to UNDER
take new negotiations il given blanket
powers to deal with the bandits by the
Chinese government.
It was assumed here that some of
the delay in further advices from the
Peking legation as TO the situation was
due to the difficulty the diplomats have
found in determining whether there
tcb no ON N in tho
negotiations through some unofficial
delegate. such as Mr.. Anderson. or ar
rangements should be made for d.
rect meeting between the bandit lead
ers and official spokesman for the gov
ernments whose nationals are victims
Of the bandit outrage.
AS a measure of precaution and to be
able to advise his cabinet colleagues
fully on all aspects of the situation.
Secretary Hughes consulted with Sec
rotary Davis Of the war department
just before the cabinet meeting. Later
Mr.. Davis said the war department
had been assigned no task but was
ready at any time to undertake any
mission the government might delegate
to it, No further inkling Of the nature
Of plans which the American military
authorities here. in China. or in the
Philippines may have considered tenta-
/, lively, for use in case the situation
develops so a to require forceful meas
ures. was available from any source.
War department reports OF recent
date show that Brig Gen. Williams y.
Conner. commanding American forces
in China, has at present a force Of SO
officers and SIS men.
In the Philippines the American gar
rison strength upon which drafts
could be made for service in China. as
was done during the Boxer uprising,
approximates 1000 men.
The nearest troops otherwise avail
able would be the Hawaii garrison, less
than $4,000 strong.