The Portland daily press., 1900-09-26
Will Not Take Part in Operations
Of Allied Armies.
Reported Advancement of Prince Tuan
Not Officially Confirmed.

Washington, September 25.-The
United States government today took the
first step towards the redemption of its
pledge made to the Russian government
August 2Sth, last by cablegram instruc-
tions to General Chaffee to reduce the
American forces in China to the proper
tions of legation guard. Nearly a
month ago the Russian government was
told through NJ De Wollant, It's charge
here, that if the Russian forces and min
1stry were Withdrawn from Pekin, ''We
shall give Instructions to the commander
OF the American forces in China to
Withdraw our forces from Pekin, after
due conference with other commanders
as to time and manner of withdrawal"
That time has come and today's action
marks the beginning of the disappear
ance OF the American army from China,
for although some military forces are to
remain, it will not be of the character of
an army but, under the conditions laid
down in~the order to General Chafee and
especially under it's official designation
as Legation guard" will be rather of
the nature OF a civil guard. This small
force will not be included in any military
operations which may be conducted by
the allied armies, and so will not fall
subject to the direction of Field Marshal
Count Won WaIdersee, the commander
in chief.
Much thought has been given to the
proper number of troops to be allotted for
this purpose and 1t is believed that the
fourteen hundred men selected Will be
quite sufficient to protect the American
legation against any force that could be
brought against 1t.
1t is noteworthy, too, that the most
complete arrangements have been ordered
for the maintenance of the men, while
care has been taken that there shall not
be a shortage of ammunition as there
was in the British legation during the
siege. 1t is estimated that about week
viii be required to bring the $500 soldiers
away from Pekin, but the start cannot
be made Immediately. 1t will be at least
about the end of the first week in Octo-
Der before the movement can be COM
pIeted, There were no developments in
the diplomatic side of the Chinese ques-
tion today .and although Baron Stern
berg, the German charge, and Minister
WI called separately at the State Depart
ment. they brought no communications
which were made public. The 1nstruc-
tions to Minister Conger relative to es-
tablishing relations with the Chinese
ENJOYS is still withheld. 1t is settled that
Minister Conger is to be a member of the
commission to settls the various ques-
tions remaining to be adjusted.
The repor ted adhesion of the British
government to the position assumed by
the United States respecting the PROPOSE
tion to make the surrender of the Chinese
ring-leaders condition precedent to
negotiations has given the greatest satis-
faction in official circles here.
The reports that Prince Tuan has been
signaIly honored by the Chinese govern
ment, have not yet been officially con-
firmed, The matter was referred to today
in the talk between Assistant Secretary
Hill and Minister WI and the latter
stated that he did not credit the report
tor the reason that the place OF grand
secretary, Salu TO nave peeu oOAAo1AoNt Va
Tuan, is one OF comparative unimportance,
mainly a sinecure, and is not held by a
prince Of the blood as Prince Tuan is
In view of this information the State De-
partment is not disposed to attach serious
importance to the reports, but II 1t
should prove true that Prince Tuan has
been advanced to high station, it doubt
less viii be taken cognizance OF by the
State Department and may lead to seri-
Gus consequences.
The State Department has received
several dispatches from Mr.. Rockhill