Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-08-23
CHINESE SITUATION.
Information Concerning the Ad.
vance Of the Allies to Pekin.
The ATTACK STRONGLY RESISTED.
President Mckinley Ovsrjoyed on Hear
Ing the News Of the Safety Of Minister
Conger and His s-Dispo-
sition Of Native Christians

ing the News OF tho Safety Of Minister
Conger and His Associstss-Dispo !,
sition Of Native Christians
Washington, Aug. 18.-The alliet
armies have captured and entered Pc
kin in the face of obstinate resistanc,
and the members of the foreign lega
tions are safe. Official confirmation
Of the fall of the Chinese capital cam,
to the United States state department
yesterday in the shape of two cable
grams, one from Admiral Remey ant
the other from Consul Fowler at Che
Foo. The cablegram from Admira
Remey came to hand first, early IN
the evening, followed very soon after
by that from Consul Fowler, and the
officials, realizing the great interest
in the events which it was believed
had happened in Pekin, at once made
them public.
Previous information which has
been received here showed that the
allied armies took possession of Tung
Chow on the 18th inst. From that
city to Pekin the distance is not very
great, not more than a dozen miles.
1t seems evident, therefore, that the
armies halted for a time at Tung
Chow, probably for the purpose of
giving the men rest and prepare
for the attack upon the capital city
in force, after waiting until the rear
of the advancing hosts should arrive
at the front. Possibly also the delay
was the result of negotiations inau-
gurated by the Chinese officials look
ing to the delivery of the ministers
with Chinese or other escort. If
negotiations were attempted they
must have failed, as the army con
tinued on its march and attacked the
capital three days after reaching
Tung Chow.
The officials here were aware of the
fact that the stronghold of the boxers
was in the Chinese city, and that for
the allies to attempt to force their
way through it into the Tartar city,
in which the legation compounds are
located, might mean a great loss of
life and possibly defeat. 1t was also
known that the imperial troops who
have sided with the boxers were many
of them in or near the Chinese city
and that much of the artillery and
rifle fire which has been poured into
the legations had been from the walls
the two cities.
The facts evidently were commune
Gated to Gen. Chatfee and the other
commanding officers of the allies.
Realizing these obstacles, it appears
that the allies decided to attack the
city by the east gate There are four
entrances to the city on the east,
two leading to the Chinese city and
two to the Tartar city. just which
one of these was selected as the at
lacking point Consul Fowler's dis
patch does not disclose. Contrary to
the press reports of yesterday, Con-
sui Fowler's dispatch shows that the
attack on the city met with strong
resistance. The japanese force en-
gagged with the advance, according
to the understanding of the officials
here, numbering 10000 men, so that
the loss suffered by them was over
one per cent Allowance is made for
losses in the force of the other
armies, but it is presumed that it was
n proportion to that suffered by the !
Japanese.
The president was overjoyed on
hearing the news of the safety of
Minister Conger and his associates. |
He has been hopeful all along that
heir rescue from the perilous posi-
lion in which they have been for so
ong time would be successfully ac-
Last nights news con-
irmed that hope.
The president entertained a num-
Der of friends formally at dinner last
hight, among which were several ac-
luaintances from Canton. Later in
he evening as soon as he heard of
he news, Secretary Root came in
rom the Country club and remained
or some time with the president dis
'ussing the latest information which
lad come to hand.
Nothing has come directly to the
var department from Gen. Chaffee,
out the adjutant generals Office is
nomentarily expecting advices. The
officials were on hand during the
,vening and waited until late hour
before leaving for home without re-
'eiving any dispatches.
A cabinet official said yesterday
hat unquestionably the native Chris
ians in China, said to number several
thousand, will be included in any ar
made between this gov
,rnment and China incident to the
cessation of hostilities. At the pres
mt stage of the Chinese situation this
ubject has not yet been seriously dis
'ussed by the cabinet, but there is
10 doubt, according to this member,
hat the United States is honor bound
% protect them and will sacredly
ook out for their security.
II was also stated that, while the