Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-17
A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK
Encouragement 0ccasioned by Admiral
Remey's Dispatch.
CHINESE DRIVEN FROM SHELTER
Funds for Carrying on BeIIigerent
Operations.
TIL BASE OF SUPPLE
THE BASE OF SUPPLIES

frightened this morning upon the receipt
of Admiral Remey's cable report of the
capture of Tien Tsin by the allies. The
press dispatches making 1t clear that this
was the native walled city, cleared up an
ambiguity that was contained in the adnli-
rails dispatch and swept away the last
doubt in the official mind as to the impor-
lance of the victory. 1t was at first sup
posed that the allies had done nothing
more than retake what they had already
possessed. In fact they had been confined
to the foreign concession and never did
dominate the native city. which being wall
ed and fortified. menaced the very existence
of the allies. Having begun this last en-
gagement, 1t was absolutely necessary for
the allies to make it a success. They had
no base to fall back upon and defeat by
the Chinese would have meant their ex-
termination.
Now. according to the experts here. the
situation is reversed The hostile Chinese
have been driven out of the shelter of the
city into the open plain. and the allied
force has quadrupled its efficiency in COM
bat by placing the Chinese in that position.
1t is not doubted that the forward move
ment on Pekin will begin as soon as a cav
airy contingent has arrived from Japan,
which should be within day or two.
Effect of AIIies' Defeat.
The moral effect of the defeat of the allies
at Tien Tsin would have been terrible, ac-
cording to army officers, and would have
been followed by the extension of the Boxer
revolt to all parts of China. Even the Chi
nese minister now thinks that this blow
has done much to crush the rebellion. He
already talks of peace commissions in a
most significant way.
There was no change IT. the official situa-
ton this morning. Pending the arrival of
the President, 1t was not deemed proper to
issue any orders to the troops in Cuba.
The impression gains ground that the good
news of the morning has relieved the situa-
ton to that extent that the cabinet meeting
called for this afternoon will not be obliged
to deal with emergency measures.
Mr.. Goodnow. at Shanghai, sent a routine
cable to the State Department this morn
ing, which the officials said was of no inn
pOrtance, relative TO the conditions at Han
kow.
Ravages Near COrean Border.
The Secretary of State received this
morning a dispatch from Mr.. Allen. the
American minister in Corea, to the effect
that the Boxers had destroyed. Saturday.
the 18th. a Catholic mission three miles
from the Corean frontier and fifty from
the American mines.
1t is believed in the State Department
that the American mines referred to are
certain gold mining concessions in the
province of Ping Yang, the most northern
province of Corea. and one which abuts on
Manchuria. While the dispatch is not
plicit. it is thought that the disturbance
occurred on the Manchurian side of the
border, and, therefore, more than fifty
miles from the nearest American settle
ment. 1t probably means an extension of
the northern Boxer movement, and portends
additional trouble for Russia in keeping
open her lines of communication in Man
churia and northward from Port Arthur.
Troops Entitled to War Pay.
An important question in connection with
the payment of troops on Chinese service
has been decided by the paymaster gem
erals office in the War Department. II
will be recollected that an act of Congress
last May provided for a 10 per cent increase
of pay for officers engaged in service in our
insular possessions. and 20 per cent in
crease for enlisted men over and above
the amount provided for in times of peace.
1t has been understood that this increase
would not apply TO troops in China, be-
cause 4 state of war was not officially sup
posed TO exist in that country. The pay
department will hold. however that the
troops now in China are actually on war
service. the explanation being that where q
regiment Is getting - per cent of its men
disabled in single engagement 1t Is doing
war duty for all practicable purposes what
ever may be the diplomatic view of the
situation.
This decision will secure for the enlisted
men In China their ~ per cent increase, al
though 1t will not affect the officers. But
this latter is regarded as a minor considera-
ton. as the officers can easily be provided
for by congressional action. while the en-
listed men probably need the additional pay
more than their sCperiors.
In the matter of finances no great aprre-
hension is felt in the War Department as
to a lack of funds whether an extra ses-
sion Is called or not. 1t is true that the
S13.HD.G9 remaining from the emergency
appropriation for the Spanish war has re-
verted to the treasury, but this is just the
beginning of the fiscal year and all depart
ments of the governments have at their
command the appropriation which it is sup
posed would carry them over until the first
of next July. Even should the Chinese
situation develop an extraordinary demand
for funds ii is thought there is abundance
of money on hand to serve until the next
regular session of Congress can provide for
the emergency.
The Proposed Base.
No more transports have been chartered
shipment of quartermaster's and commits
sary supplies of all sorts is proceeding with
undated vigor. The officials of these two
departments have expressed the nope that
the American base will be allowed to re-
main on United States soil at Manila rather
than be shifted to Nagasaki, as there has
been some talk Of doing. All plans for
supplying the troops in China have been
made on this superstition. and it Is felt that
change of base for the Chinese opera
tons would involve unnecessary confusion
and hardship.
Our Quota of Troops.
Sixty thousand men for the march TO
Pekin and 10000 more to keep open the
lines of communication and If necessary
to defend the basis of operation at Tien
Tsin and Taku is the estimate of the total
Eumber of troops that will be required in
the Chinese campaign. Upon the basis OF
these figures. which It is said are those
furnished by the commanders of the allied
forces In China, this government will fur
nish between 10,OO and 1900 soldiers.
Available Troops In This Country.
The decision to send 5000 10000 addi-
tional troops to China. if literally executed
will divest the United States OF troops, save
for the artillerymen in sea coast garrisons
While 1t is impossible at the present mo-
mcnt to designate the particular organiza-
TORS likely TO be sent. an inspection of the
records of the War Department shows the