The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-18

bivouacked outside the walls The
total Chinese force at Pekin is 10000.
U. S. GOVERNMENT NOT YET SAT-
ISFIED.
Washington, Aug. 1S.-Official con-
firmation continued to pour in today
that the allied armies had taken Pekin
and that the IegatiOners We're safe The
first dispatch came from Brigadier Gen
eral Barry who had just arrived at Che
Foo to become chief of staff Of General
Chaffee.
About the same time the state depart
ment received a cipher cable message
from Consul General Goodnow at
Shanghai, stating substantially the
same thing as to the arrival of the allied
forces at Pekin and the safe deliverance
of the legatiOnerS. These dispatches to-
gether with those of last night from Ad-
miral Remey and Consul Fowler dis
Sipated the slightest veStige of doubt as
of the legations, but there is still an
eagernesS among officials for the details
of the momenteous event. The Barry
dispatch spoke or Pektn as beng
taken" which to a. man of military
training clearly meant that it was not
without a struggle. This tailed with
the Japanese statement of fierce resist
ance and q considerable number of cas-
ualtieS among the japanese attacking
party. Admiral Remey uses the express
sion that Pekin was captured. 1t is
therefore accepted among officials that
an engagement occurred in the shadow
of the great walls of Pel<in. The war
department as well as the navy depart
ment is expecting almost momentarlly
from Admiral Remey, the details of this
engagement. General Chaffee being at
the front and in the midst of the trials
at Pekin is hardly expected to be able
to get thorough information with tnaC
facility which Admiral Remey can
command. The admiral has stated that
he had sent Lieutenant Lattimar, one
of his staff officers to the front for the
express purpose of furnishing accurate
information. His dispatch last night
came from Tien Tsin, only eighty miles
from Pekin and gave promise that wire
communication with the front was open,
at least in part.
The Chinese minister, feeling that the
crisis was relieved, took days rest,
leaving at 10 o'clock for Chesapeake
Beach, a nearby resort. Before leaving
he provided himself with a bathing suit
intending to take a plunge in the salt
water. He was accompanied by two OF
the members of his staff. and by one OF
the ever present detectives. Up to the
time of his departure, Mr. Wu had re-
ceiVed nothing cOnfirmatOry or other
wise, concerning the situation at Pekin
but he accepted the announcement from
other sources as complete. He viii re-
turn later today. With the allied
armies at Pekin, and the legationers
rescued it can be stated that the Amer
lean administration considers one of its
most essential purposes has been
achieved, and that it now remains only
to carry out, with unreServlng fidelity
the purposes already clearly defined by
this government. Although these pur-
poses were made known some weeks ago
in Secretary Hays note of July 3, they
now assume special Importance in the
light of the work to be taken up. -Four
distinct purposes were laid down In
this declaration, viz:
The purpose of the president is,asit has
been therefore, to act concurrently with
the powers
First-In opening up communication
with Pekin and rescuing the American
officials, missionaries and other Ameri-
cans who are in danger
Secondly-In affOrding all possible
protection everywhere in China to Amer
lean life and property.
Thirdly-In guarding and protecting
all legitimate American interests, and,
Fourth-In aiding to prevent a spread
of the disorders to other provinces of the
empire and a recurrence of such dlSaS-
terS.
1t can be stated authoritatively that
the foregoing declarations stands today as
ted. The government considers that the
purpose enumerated, namely, opening
up communication with Pekin, and res
cuing the American officials missiOnar-
les and other Americans, who are in dan
ger' is now achieved. There may be
details of this rescue still to be carried
out, but doubt it entertained that the
rescue will be accomplished. That leaves
the three remaining purposes set forth
still to be carried out and these are
chiefly in the line of restoring order,
quiet and security to the disturbed coun-
try.
The intention of this government as to
| the withdraw Of troops from China can