The Portland daily press., 1900-08-27
Chinese Preparing For Attack On
Allies AT Pekin.
What United States Would BE Likely To
DO In Case OF War.

taels in silver and a large quantity of
rice were found.
Another telegraphic despatch dated
Tauk, August %. state thar~as the Chi
nese troops and Bo xers who had gathered
at Nan Yuen were about to sttack the
foreign forces at Pekin, Japanese and
Russian cavalry were expected to en-
counter them on the goth. The de-
spatch further states that Chinese infan-
try, some 5000 strong, with Is guns, are
advancing northward from Shang Tung
to make a rear attack on the allies. -
A copy of the despatch was transmitted
to Acting Secretary Adee and by him
furnished to the President. While the
news or a possible rear attack upon
the comparatively small force of the
allies was not received with much sur-
prise, it generally was not regarded as
serious,as the foreign forces are believed
to be able to take care of themselves.
In the absence of official information
from China or from United States ofHc-
ials here, interest today centered in the
diplomatic phases of the existing trou-
bic
The rumor Of a declaration of war by
Russia it is explained, may have grown
out of the operations of the troops OF
the Gar in the protection of the south
eastern frontier Of his empire; or it may
have arisen from the reported statement
OF the commander of the Russian forces
at Pekin that his government was at
war with China. and therefore, he must
prohibit communication with the Chi
nese. Neither the operations of Russia
on her frontier nor the prohibition by
a Russian general of communication
with the Chinese would constitute it is /
said, declaration of war by Russia.
No general, by a mere dictum, can de-
clare war. Even his statement that his
government had declared war would
not make it so. A declaration of war,
it is pointed out by the best authorities,
is a perfectly distinct and obvious pro-
ceeding.
The understanding among Washing
ton officials of Russia's action is that
the empire has declared the three PROV
ince on it's southeastern frontier in
state OF seige. This is altogether differ
ent from q declaration of war. 1t CORE
spends to a declaration of martial law
by Great Britain and to a suspension Of
the right of habeas corpus by the Unit
ed States. 1t is suppression of civil
by military authority, 1t has no effect
upon such treaties as may be In force
by the countries; whereas @ declaration of
war or a declaration that state OF war
exists, would tear up all treaties
1t is pointed out, further, that Russia
has two objects in her present operations
IN China-the rescue and protection OF
the foreign legationers and the protection
OF her menaced frontier. The avowed
object Of the other powers is simply the
rescue and protection of the legationers
and other foreign subjects. In carrying
out her second object, Russia has seized
New Chwang. This was done to OBJ
tain a base of operations from which the
frontier could easily be reached, pre-
clsely as Taku was seized as base of
operations against Pekin.
Whether, in the event of a declaration of |
war by zone or more of the powers
az h4ASV CnA1Ae9 al AANIUGG4Oll
would be extended to the Unit
ed States to retire from China, as init
mated in the despatch from Che Foo is
open to doubt; and it is decidedly pro-
it is said, whether the invi-
tatlon would be accepted, even II it were
rendered. The United States forces are
in China protecting the personal and
rights of citizens of this ooun-
try and. in addition, the treaty rights OF
the United States. Under the most fa~
vored nation clause, this country has cer-
tain specific rights in China and 1t is
said on authority to be the purpose Of
the United States to protect and preserve
those rights. The attitude this govern
ment would assume In the event of de-