The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-14

surrounded by orchards and gardens, and
Is not place likely to have afforded op-
portunity for strong defense. Il is the
highest point on the Tel river, where
the river water is depended on as the
native wells are the source of supply on
the balance OF the route to Pekin. AS Il
mas taken five days for Gen. Chaffee 10
report the advance to Ho 81 WI. n a.
evident that wire communication Ia not
open to the front This was hardly To be
expected and the safe arrival of the mes
sage at least shows that a certain meas
ure of communication is open. One OF the
chief sources of congratulation among
officials is that the fancied hordes Of
China have not materialized, or at least
have not prevented the international COL
umn from drawing close to the gates Of
Pekin.
THE COST OF YANG TSUN.
Shortly after this dispatch arrived an
other message from Gen. Chaffee far
more lengthy gave the melancholy re-
suit of the fighting at Yang Tsun. The
casualty list was given in detail with
the additional information that the dead
had been buried at Yang Tsun and that
the wounded had been sent back to the
hospital at Tien Tsin.
The reply Of the United States gov
ernment to China's overtures for peace
was made public early in the day, show
Ing the firm and final position that had
been taken. While expressing satlsfao-
ton at this pacific step, the reply states
that 1t is evident that there can be no
general negotiations between China and
the powers" so long as the ministers and
legations are restrained and in danger"
Then follows a specific statement OF
what the United States expects as a con-
d1tion precedent tc a cessation Of hos
ullties, viz, that body of the relief
force be permitted to "enter Pekin un.
molested' and escort the ministers back
to Tien Tsin.
UNITED STATES POSITION SUP
PORTED.
1t developed during the day that the
reference to "the powers" employed in
the American reply was not without a
distinct meaning. Exchanges between
the various powers have been going on
constantly and as a result the officials
had the satisfaction Of knowing late In
States had the approval and support of
all the great powers.
While this had not been expected
In any formal manner by the parties yet
| the exchanges In the chancellories of Eu-
rope has through the foreign representa-
tives IN Washington made 1t positive that
| the powers were acting unItedly
In approval Of the course OF this govern
ment Several Of the foreign representa-
| tives, including Baron Speck Won Stern
berg, the German charge d'affairs, and
Mr.. Dewollant. the Russian charge DAFT
faires had extended conferences with
Mr. Adee during the afternoon Those
added TO the assurances Of unanimity
among the powers. The presence OF the
Russian representative was gratifying in
Clearing away some m apprehension
which was not shared by the govern
ment here as to Russias course in au-
| thorizing M. De Giers to leave Pekin
, under Chinese escort. 1t was pointed
out that this in no way brought about
a difference in the attitude Of Russia and
that as of the other powers that all were
acting on the theory that the Chinese
government must first give an absolute
guarantee for the safety of the ministers.
1t seems evident that this absolute guar
antee cannot be given by China unless
1t allows the international forces to en-
ter Pekfn, so that in effect the Russian
position does not differ materially from
that of the other powers. At least Rus
| sia Is included among those who fully
approve the course taken by the United
States.