The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-05-22
Cabinet Members
Favor Action to
Rescue Captives
Strong Pressure Brought TO
Bear Upon White House
TO Take Initiative in
Situation.
Rx Inl,ersaI Service.

Washington, May 21.-streng pres
sure was brought TO b.ar upon the
State department and White House
today. urging tho United States to take
the initiative against the existing
choas In China.
The situation Is scheduled 10 be the
chief subject Of discussion at Tues.
days cabinet meeting
Inquiries made of individual mem
bers of the cabinet indicate complete
unanimity of opinion faYoring an i'm.
mediate ultimatum to the Chinese gov
ernment. to be followed BY military ac-
tion in case Of failure TO comply.
The first problem to be solved is that
Of securing the safety and freedom of
Americans and other foreigners held
ty the bandits The second is the
urgent necessity OF keeping open the
large trade avenues which are practi-
cally closed.
1t is frankly admitted that the state
department has yielded to policy o
prochastination, hoping from day 10
day that the representations OF the
diplomats at pekin would secure the
release of the captiyes. Developments
OF the last few days indicate that mere
diplomatic representations cannot yield
satisfactory results, as tho Chinese
government Itself is impotent and COM
mands no respect from the outlaws.
Joint Action Likely.
The release Of the captiyes will he
a signal for joint action OF some kind.
if. in fact. such action is not found TO
be necessary in order TO sechre the
prisoners. The movement Of a con-
siderable body Of foreign troops into
the handitlnfested region IL known
to be under contemplation. and 1t is
thought probable that the Chinese
railway system will be polieod by the
great powers for several years. or until
a stable government shall have been
established I'm China.
One OF the greatest problems in the
contemplated action reyolNes about
Japan. GRO what extent can Japan be
permitted TO participate without AK.
grayation the situation, is the ques-
tion.
There b distinct under current Of
suspicion here that Japanese agents
are. to some extent, responsible for in
citing the present disorders. Also
Japan is go hated by the enlightened
I Chinese for its aggressions In Shan.
tung and Manchuria that it is feared
[ the presence of any considerable mum.
her 81 Japanese troops might invoke A
general uprising that would be diff.
( cult 10 handle
Negotiations Fail.
{ The American legation at Pekn re
ported 10 the State department today
{ the utter failure of all negotiations
between the Chinese government and
bandit leaders Tor the liberation of the
foreigners Further efforts to secure
their freedom IN that way are believed
to be useless,
The only hope of carly release of
the prisoners the cablegram 10 the
state repartment said. lis by direct
foreign negotiations.
Commissions offered 10 the bandit
chieftalns by the Chinese government
as officers in tho regular army were
refused. the bandits fearing treachery
They now demand that all terms be
guaranteed by six foreign powers and
have refused to deal further with the
pel,in authorities. pending the with.
draral Of all troops from the noighbor'
hood Of their stronghold This demand
thus far has not been complied with.