The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-08-07
FIGHT

Near Tien Tsin reported at the War
observation-disclosures of Ii Hung
chang's Suicide-Minister WI It
Cape May.
WASHINGTON. August 6.-The an
nouncement received through Admiral
Remey and Commander Tausslg. OF re-
ported heavy fighting on the road be-
yond Ticn Tsin. was the news OF inter-
est In the Chinese situation to-day. Lit
tie doubt was expressed at the navy de-
partment that the news was substan-
tally correct. It is probable that a
later report may. reduce the list OF cas-
ualtles among the International forces
but It is evident that the move on Pc
kin is at last fairly under way. and tina;
strong opposition has been encoun-
tered. The war department officials,
who have been exceedingly retlcent for
several days as to news from the seat
OF war, admitted to-day when the naval
dispatches were received that the an
nouncement OF the battle was not unex-
Pccted.
Opinions are Divided.
Opinion among the various officials
now in Washington Is somewhat diyld.
cd as to just what is presaged by to-
days events. The more optimistic are
inclined to think that such i severe
blow as the Chinese must have re-
celved at Pelt Sang will result in the
speedy dlsintesration of the forces
now opposing the march Of the inter-
national column. In line with this
prediction, 1t was prophesied that the
Chinese government would find means
to send the ministers from Pekin under
escort, and thus stave of the advance
upon the capital. On the other hand,
there was a number OF officers In posi-
ton to Judgerqually well who held that
the fight at PeIt Sang was only the be-
ginning OF a strenuous resistance that
would be continued to the gates OF Pc
kin or beyond 1t was urged in sup
port OF this view that the Chinese had
q hundred men to lose against one OF
the allies: that they were well armed
with modern guns. and had apparent-
ly an abundance Of ammunition. 1t is
stated that considerable apprehension
exists among those conversant with
oriental affairs at tho rc-appearance in
Pekin OF that rabld anti-forcign fauat-
lc. L! Ping Hung.
Rumors of LIPS Suicide. :"
II IS understood that his appearance
in Pekln may have had something to
do with the Shanghai rumors OF Ii
Hung Chang's suicide. It Is certain
that with Il Ping Hung and Prince
Tuan In control OF the de facto govern
ment In China, religious war OF der
vIsh-llke fanatlclsm probably will be
waged against all foreigners. and
friends OF the more liberal Chinese
statesmen are exceedingly anxious as
TO their fate under the Tuan-Li
regime.
The war department Is In receipt OF
n dispatch from General Macarthur.
announcing that he has shipped addl-
tlonal artillery supplies to Taku for use
In the Chinese campaign. These sup
piles include several Calling guns now
in Manila, which, up to date. have re-
mained useless In that country. on ac-
count OF the bad roads. How much
better General Chaffec may be able to
handle these. monster guns through the
nlnost lmpaasablc rlce swamps OF
China no ont at the war department
was willing to guess, but his recent
dispatch contained an urgent appeal for
some artillery. and he Is getting Il.
Be Effective Weapons.
The ordnance experts at tho war de-
partmcnt say that II II comes to boni-
bardment OF PckIn these ilyc-lnch rifles
md Seycn-lnch howitzers, with their