Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-06
of provisions upon which the city of Pekin
would have to depend in case of siege.
An Optimistic View.

of provisions upon which the city of Pekin
would have to depend in case of siege.
An Optimistic View.
From the fact that the engagement last
ed seven hours and half, 1t is argued in
the department that either the Chinese
must have been heavily intrenched or that
there was an immense horde of them to so
stubborniy contest the advance of the
10000 international troops. 1t is figured
by military experts that a loss of 1900
killed and wounded on the part of the allies
probably means loss of from three to six
times many by the Chinese. 1t is possi-
BILE that a blow of this magnitude may
break the resistance of the Chinese to the
advance of the foreign column, but, on
the other hand it is probable that this
may be but one of large number of places
on the road that have been fntrenched,
with a view to falling back and ccntesting
the foreign advance, so as TO delay as long
as possible the attack on Pekin. few of
the War Department officials who take a
most optimistic view of the situation say
that they would not be surprised to hear of
this engagement being followed by an ap-
peal for terms from the Chinese govern
ment. This opinion is by no means gen.
eral, however. as there are many others
equally Well posted who look for series
of stubborn contests in the westward
march of the internationals Unless the
opposition breaks down suddenly on the
back of this defeat, the military experts
look for a desperate engagement when the
troops reach the walled city of Tung Chow
which is said to be even more favorably
located for purposes of defense than was
Tien Tsin.
Diplomatic Position Unchanged.
The position of the United States diplo-
maticaily remains unchanged This govern
ment will not consent to abandon the at
tack onyPekin until there is free communi-
cation by the powers with their ministers.
Nor is this government likely to consent to
communication in plain language alone but
to insist that cipher messages must pass
freely between Minister Conger and our
department of State. 1t is emphatically
stated that unless such messages We're ex-
changed the United States could not know
beyond question that the messages had not
been garbled and both the United States
government and the ministers misled.
There seems to be no doubt about the
safety of the ministers at Pekin for the
present, and that they will remain where
they will be able to protect themselves and
''4'i 44ot pe ~ accept OHeTS Oh Ine
Chinese government to escort them to Tien
Tsin until they have had communication
with their governments. Confidence is ex-
pressed, however that the Chinese govern
ment will soon see the necessity of accept
ing the terms laid down in Secretary Hay s
note to Consul General Goodnow
1t is stated that If all the international
forces In the vicinity of Taku can be land
ed and the supplies brought up, there will
be sufficient force to overcome any army
which the Chinese may bring forward to
prevent the march to Pekin
Chaffee EncOuntering Difficulties.
Gen. Chaffee is encountering difficulties
that are proving serious in the operations
of the United States troops The debarka-
tiol of troops and cavalry horses is being
accomplished with the utmost difficulty.
The big transports cannot get within eight
or ten miles of the landing at Taku. Yes
sels drawing more than fifteen feet of wa
ter are forced to lie far out in the gulf.
the transportation to the shore of both
men and horses. making the debarkat ton of
considerable force a task surrounded with
innumerable obstacles. Added to the ac-
tual difficulties, chief of which is a lack of
lighters are the discomfort and incon-
vcnience placed upon the troops Rains are
almost incessant, heavy fogs are prevalent
| and the water Of the gulf is exceedingly
rough.
That the advance upon Pekin actually be-
gan no later than Friday Is well assured
now officials Of the War Department still
decline to discuss the latest message OF
Gen. Chaffee. dated Friday, in which he an
ncunced that the American, British and
japanese forces We're making the start
without the remainder Of the allies. While
no reasons for the reticence Of the depart
| mCnt are given, 1t is well understood that
Gen Chaffees dispatch contains informa-
tion which could not safely be given to
the Chinese at this stage of the campaign.
Artillery for Gen. ChaTee.
Information having been received from
Gen. Chaffee that he is in great need of
artillery. Instructions were sent to Gen.
Macarthur to forward him whatever guns
he could spare. a cable message was re-
Ceived from Gen. Macarthur today saying
that he has arranged to forward imme-
diately to Taku three gatlng guns and the
siege guns and carriages of Battery o. Ith