The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-24
so 1T is THOUGHT HERE
London Hears of Incendiary Fires and
Fighting in the Streets.
GERMANY REFUSES TO TREAT With Ii
Doubts His Authority to Act For Emperor and
Empress Whom the Powers Will Doub.-
less Continue to Recognize
Supreme Rulers in China
CBy the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Washington, August 23.-The important
development in the Chinese situation to-
day was the decision Of the Government
not to send anv more troops to China
All the troops now at sea- amounting
to 4,000 together with those under or
ders for service in the Far East. which
have not sailed, amounting to about 5000
more, will be sent to Manila. These troops
touching at Nagasaki, will go on to Ma
Mia, unless there are developments in
China, not now expected, which would
make their presence in that country nee
essary. Secretary Root said today that
no more troops were being sent to China,
because thew were not needed. With the
arrival at Taku Of the Hancock and the
troops she carried. General Chaffee will
have 5000 available men, which is deem
ed sufficient for all present purposes.
The decision of the Department was not
, based upon any recommendation made
by General Chaffee, but upon reports
received by him, which made it apparent
that no more troops were needed.
The announcement of the diversion of
the troops was made in the following
official bulletin which was posted at the
War Department this evening:
"The Government ha decided that un.
less required by future developments no
more troops are to be sent to China.
Orders have accordingly been cabled to
Nagasaki for the Meade. which is due
there today, with four troops Of the Third
cavalry, four companies of the Fifteenth
| infantry and Company E, battalion of en-
gineers, to proceed directly to Manila.
Similar orders will be given to the other
troops which are under orders for China,
via NaGasaki."
1t was stated at the Department that
the encouraging condition in China was
the main reason why the orders of today
regarding the troops were issued. Besides
the troops on the Meade there is now
al sea the Warren. with two squadrons
of the Ninth cavalry and recruits; the
Sherman, with one battalion each of the
End, 5th and Sth infantries. The Logan
is scheduled to sail on September 1st
with two battalions of the First and one
battalion of the Second infantry 1t
was said at the Department that six
or seven thousand troops would be af-
| fected by the order.
J dispatch was received from General
Chaffee today, dated Pekin, August 18th,
which was in response to the request
sent him few days ago to report the
conditions and requirements. General
| Chaffee did not report further fighting
in Pekin. and for that reason the Wash
off
tile demonstrations in the Chinese capi-
tai have ceased. The dispatch related
largely to transportation conditions and
stated that the railroad between Taku
and Pekin could not be used at the pres
ent time as portions of it had been de-
stroyed by the Chinese. General Chaffee
will CO. operate with the other command
crs in China in reconstructing the road
for the use of the allied forces. General
Chaffee also reported that the telegraph
line, which was constructed by the signal
corps from Tien Tsin to Pekin is fire.
quently interrupted, being cut, probably
by hostile Chinese.
At conference at the White House
today in which the President, Secretary
Root and Acting Secretary Adee partici-
pated, careful instructions were prepared
lof MT. ROcknlH, the Onlleu SldleS
Special Commissioner to China to be for
warded at once to him for his guidance.
The State Department received a dis
patch from Mr.. Rockhill today at Yoko-
| hama, briefly announcing his arrival
there. This brought about the White
House conference and the preparation of
instructions. Before Mr.. Rockhill left he
was advised very fully as to the pur-
pose of this Government, but since his
departure the situation has so changed
at Pekin as to make it desirable to suple-
ment the instructions he already had re-
ceived. Mr.. Adee stated that as the in
structions related to pending affairs it
would be inexpcdient to make anything
| in reference to them. The United States
has taken the lead in replying to China
| that there will be no temporizing nege-
tidtions, and there is every reason to
believe the powers will be united in this
same policy. The answer of the United
| States was quickly followed today by
! similar action on the part of Germany,
| the Berlin Foreign Office delivering to
the Chinese Minister an answer refusing
| to enter into negotiations on the ground
| that there was no evidence that Ii Hung
| Changes credentials gave him sufficient
| power to act and that nothicg short of
| complete authority from the responsible
rulers of China, the Emperor and En-
press Dowager, could be regarded as suf-
| ficient. Soon after this action at Berlin
the German Charge d'Affaires, Baron