St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-08-22
THE EASTERN WAR.

ANSClNSu OllCldI OIL the 1dll
of Pekin and the rescue of the besieged
legationers. The dispatch of the Ameri-
con commander was not long and con-
tanned few details, but the unconcealed
satisfaction with which it was received
by officials of the administration in
dicated clearly the anxiety that had
been engendered by his prolonged sir
ence. His last communication TO the
| government prior to the receipt of Sun
days advices was dated Aug. IL, at
Matow, almost 80 miles from Pekin. The
explanation of his silence is suggested
in advices received by the navy de-
partment from Admiral Remey, who,
telegraphing from Taku on the 18TH says
the telegraph line between that point
and Pekin is interrupted.
The cablegram from Admiral rSemey
contains some important information
not mentioned by General Chaffee. He
makes the startling statement, on Japan
csc authority, that the inner city of
Pekin was being bombarded by the al
lied forces. Admiral Remey says also
that the dowager empress is detained in
the inner city by Prince Yungedo.
Following is the text of the dispatch
from General Chaffee, as made public
by the war department.:
"Chefoo, Aug. 10. Adjutant General,
Washington:
"Pekin, Aug. 1--we entered legation
grounds at o'clock last night with
Fourteenth and light battery. Eight
wounded during days fighting; other
wise all well. Chaffee."
1t will be noted that the dispatch in
dicates that the American troops en-
tered the legation grounds at o'clock
on the evening of the 14th By the
Washington officials and by the several
legation officials to whom it was shown
the date of General Chaffee's communi-
cation is regarded as an error of trans
mission. All previous advices, official
and unofficial, have indicated that the
legations were relieved on the evening
of the 18th after day of sharp fighting.
The fact that only the Fourteenth in
fantry and Riley's battery entered the
city, as shown by General Chaffee's dis
patch, does not indicate that the Ninth
infantry and the marines, who were so
conspicuously gallant throughout the
advance upon the capital, did not par
ticipate in the engagement which re-
suited directly in the rescue of the be-
sieged legationers.
Admiral Remey's dispatch, which con-
tains much interesting information in
few words, is as follows:
"Chefoo (no date). Bureau Of Naviga-
ton, Washington:
"Taku, 1Sth.-Telegraph line to Pekin
interrupted. Information, Japanese
sources, empress dowager detained by
Prince Yungedo inner city, which being
bombarded by allies. Chaffee reports
entered legation grounds evening 14th.
Eight wounded during days fighting;
otherwise all well. Remey."
The startling feature Of the dispatch
is that fighting within the city of Pekin
was continuing, according to the adj
vices of Admiral Remey. The inner or,
as it is popularity known, the forbidden
city, evidently had not been taken. 1t
is surrounded by a massive wall of solid
masonry, more than 20 feet high, and 1t
is not regarded as surprising that the
Chinese should make their final stand
within it's shadows. Prior to the receipt
of the dispatch it was accepted generally
as a fact that the dowager empress, in
company with the emperor and a large
suite, had left Pekin. While nothing is
said in Admiral Remeys advices as to
the whereabouts of the emperor, it is
deemed scarcely probable that he left
the city without the empress dowager.
Some doubts of the accuracy of the
information received by Admiral Remey
is expressed. particularly as the Chinese
minister Mr.. WI, is very positive that
the emperor, empress dowager and the
entire Chinese court left Pekin before the
arrival at the gates of the allies.
Minister WI said there was no Chinese
Prince Yungedo. 1t is not a Chinese
name. 1t might be, the minister
thought, a japanese name, but, per-
sonally, he knew of no such person.
At the Japanese legation the dispatch
of Admiral Remey was read with deep
est interest There too, it was said
that Yungedo was not a Chinese name.
No Japanese official of that name was
known to the legation attaches. Their
solution VI TIE queollOll, EdlS5u ny the
dispatch, was that the name should be
Yung Lu. He is the commander-in-
chief of the imperial Chinese troops, and
is said to have strong pro-foreign in
clinations and sympathes. No con-
lecture was offered as to the reason for
the detention of the dowager empress
by him.
Among Washington officials it is re-
garded as hardly likely that the empress
dowager is being detained by any Chi
nese official. If she be in Pekin at this
time she is there, probably, of her own
accord. The assertion of Minister WI,
based upon official advices from his gov
ernment, however, is most positive that
she is not in the city Of Pelin.
, While no surprise was evinced at the
statement of Admiral Rmey that the in
ner city was being bombarded, some
concern was expressed lest the final
stand Of the Chinese troops within what
/, they regard as most sacred precincts
should prove very serious affair. The
imperial city is occupied only by the
highest Chinese officials and members
and attaches of the imperial court. Fur
Their information as to the reported
bombardment will be awaited with keen
interest.
Anti lmperiaIsts For Bryan.
, indianapolis, Aug. H.-The candidacy