Evening journal., 1900-08-14
lnt0rnatiORalS Have Seized HO
81 WI, on Pei River
YANKEE LOSSES AT YANG.TSUN
Position Of United States Has Ap-
prOVal and Support Of the
Great Powers

Washington, Aug. 1.-THE Ameri-
can commander In China, in dispatch
Of three words, received at the war de-
partment late yesterday afternoon, sent
thrill of exultation and expectancy
throughout official quarters by an
nouncing his arrival at Ho 81 WI, only
80 miles from Pekin, last Thursday.
The dispatch from Chaffee, dated Aug.
10, is as follows: Arrived HO ST Wu
yesterday"
The battle Of Yangtsun was fought
on the 9th-a march of 10 miles in
three days. This was four days ago,
and at the same rate Of progress, Chat
fee is even now fairly within striking
distance of the walls of Pekin. It was
a communication which the war de-
partner had awaited calmly, and stir
ring as the news was that the Ameri-
can force was now nearing the gates
of the imperial city, Secretary Root
and Adjutant General Corbin evinced
no surprise as it accorded with calcu-
lations, although the advance has been
more rapid than was expected.
1t was deemed hardly likely that the
march TO Pekin could have been made
since last Thursday. At the rate Of
progress, six miles a day, made from
Yangtsun to Ho 81 WI, about 81 miles
would have been covered in the last
four days, and up to yesterday this
would still leave the international
forces nine miles from Pekin. Viewed
from any standpoint, the advance to
Ho 81 WI was of the utmost import
ance, not only strategically, but also
in showing that communication from
Chinese hordes had not been sufficient
10 prevent the steady forward move
ment, and in the influence 1t would ex-
ert upon the Chinese government.
Although it is not stated what force
has arrived, the war department ac-
cepts It to mean that this is the inter-
national force which first took Peit-
sang and then Yangtsun. It has gone
steadily forward along the left bank OF
the Pei river, keeping on the main
road which skirts the river bank. At
Yangtsun the railway crosses the river,
and branches off to the west Now the
forces have left the railway far in the
rear, and are depending upon the high
way and the river
Ho 81 Wu is a place Of considerable
size, and the largest town between Tien
Tsin and Ching CHA Wan. The latter
place and Tung Chow are the two cities
of considerable size in the line of adj
vance after leaving Ho 81 WI II is sur
rounded by orchards and gardens and
is not a place likely to have afforded
opportunity for strong defence It is
the highest point on the Pei 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.
One Of the chief sources Of congratu-
lation among officials is that the fam
cied hordes of China has not materia-
lized or at least have not prevented the
international column from drawing
close to the gates Of Pekin.
Shortly after this dispatch arrived.
another message from Gen. Chaffee far
more lengthy. gave the melancholy re-
suit of the fight at Yangtsun. The
casualty list was given in detail, with |
the additional information that the
dead had been buried at Yangtsun 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 of peace |
shows that a firm and final position /
has been taken. A specific statement Of |
what the United States expects as a
condition precedent TO a cessation of
hostilities, is that a body of the relief |
force be permitted to 'enter Pekin un-
molested" and escort the ministers
back to Tien Tsin. Exchanges between
the various powers have been going on
constantly, and as a result the officials
have the satisfaction of knowing that
the position of the United States had
the approval and support of all the
great powers.