Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-08-09
THE RECENT BATTLE
American Troops Engaged in the
Fight At Pietsang.
CABLECRAM FROM MINISTER COyCER


| Washington, Aug. s.-The informa-
ton which came yesterday that
American troops were engaged in the
battle at Pietsang, established posi-
lively, for the first time, that notwith-
standing the difficulties which Gen.
Chaffee had encountered in debark-
ing troops and supplies, at least
part, and a considerable part, of our
force was in the vanguard of the for
ward movement Gen. Chatfee's dis
patch to the war department con-
veyed the most satisfactory evidences
that the commanders had thoroughly
agreed in advance upon plan OF ac-
ton and that there is every indica-
ton that this plan had been fol-
lowed, as Gen. Chaffee on Friday sent
the cable saying that the attack up
on the Chinese at Pietsang would be
made on Sunday, the day when Ad-
miral Remey and the press corre-
spondents say the fighting occurred.
Gen. Chatfee's announcement that the
present objective of the international
column is Yang Tsun is interpreted
by the officials at the war department
to mean that this point, where river,
railroad and wagon road meet, is to
be made the advance base for the
operations on Pekin.
The most positive addition to the
news of the day was the brief line
from the Associated press correspond
ent at Tien Tsin stating that the
Ninth and Fourteenth infantry,
Reilly's battery, and the marines
were in the battle of Pietsang. 1t
was this force which, with the Brit
ish and Japanese, bore the brunt of
the attack on the left flank, which
was to turn the enemy's position.
This plan had already been made
clear by Gen. Chaffee's dispatch, al
though he did not mention what
American troops would be engaged.
In view of the participation of the
American troops, the war and navy
departments are anXiously expcctant
of report of the part taken by our
troops and of any losses which the
Americans may have sustained No
light has yet been thrown upon the
subject of whether the commanders
of the international forces have
agreed upon commander The Chat
fee dispatch would seem to Indicate
that none had been agreed upon The
movement was planned evidently by
the commanders in conference and
the part which each command was
to play agreed upon in advance. 1t
is perhaps noteworthy and significant
that in this plan of attack upon the
enemy at Pietsang the American,
British and Japanese were Joined in
the movement to turn the enemy's
flank, while the Russians and French
operated together on the opposite side
of the river against the enemy's left.
This may indicate the line of cleav-
age among the allies, whose general
dissensions were reported at Tien
Tsin. 1t is also exceedingly signiii-
cant that Gen. Chaffee does not men-
ton the German force at all. The
war department officials no not be-
lieve that this could have been DE to
an oversight on his part If it was ar
ranged that they were to participate
in the movement. 1t, therefore,
seems likely that the Germans were
not. engaged at Pietsang 1t is
thought possible that they may be
acting independently.
The Dictum OF Ii Hung Chang.
London, Aug. Sin case the
troops advance the Chinese must
fight. The suggestion that the allies
should be allowed to enter Pekin in
order to escort the ministers to Tien
Tsin is absolutely impossible This
is the dictum of Ii Hung Chang. 1t
was transmitted Monday evening to
Mr.. William Pritchard Morgan, mem
Der of parliament for Merthyr Tydvil,
by his agent at Shanghai. The agent
had carried to Earl Ii message from
Mr.. Morgan urging that the allied
troops be allowed to enter the capital,
and stating that settlement could
be made at Tien Tsfn, whereby war
of the world against China would be
nverted; but even the optimistic Ii
failed to hold out the slightest hope
of its feasibility, although he reiter-
ated to Mr.. Morgan's agent his Alec
Iaration that the ministers had left
Pekin, fixing the date of their de-
parture as August 2.
Cablegram from Minister Conger'
Washington. Aug. s.-The follow
ing cablegram from Minister Conger
was received last night by the state
"Tsi-Nan-Yamen, Aug. ITO
Secretary of State: Still besieged.
Situation more precarious. Chinese
government insisting upon our leav-
ing Pekin which would be eitain
death. Rifle firing upon us daily by
imperial troops. Have abundant
but little ammunition or
Two progressive yamen
ministers beheaded. All connected
-" legation of the United States