Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-26
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kilograms from American consuls in China
on the situation in that nation. One of
these was from Consul Fowler at Chefoo.
None of the kilograms, however, threw
any light on the mystery of the fate Of
the foreigners in Pekin. The news was dis
appointing in this respect. 1t was better
as to Tientsin. Secretary Long presenting
a telegram from Admiral Kempff saying
that the relief column had reached there.
1t is understood that there was a heavy
mail from China yesterday. and that the
State Department received mail reports
from all over the empire. Most of these
were from southern China. where the insur-
rection has not developed. 1t is peculiar
that none of the communications throw any
light on the situation at the time the re-
ports and letters were written The consus
did not even appear to have suspected an
uprising, and say nothing about the Boxers
or any anti-foreign feeling.
Army of Invasion.
1t Is asserted that there was no talk Of an
army to be sent to China. The President
and Secretary of War have the matter in
charge, and the President is proceeding as
during the war with Spain, largely on his
own responsibility. Another cabinet meet
ing will be held before the President leaves
for Canton. After that time the American
part of the invasion of China will be direct
ed from Canton. The President will tele-
graph all orders here. If the situation
should become serious enough to tend to-
warn d u6CistTdtlOn OF WAR, the fT6SlQeHL
would return to Washington, but unless
there Is some grave change in the situation
he will not change his program.
Regret and Concern Felt.
The officials here received with mingled
regret and concern the reports from Chefoo
that discord existed between the Russians
and the so-caled Anglo Americans. Com
ing from the officers of the Terrible. 1t is
considered as largely sailor talk" At the
same time it has been recognized from the
outset that such heterogeneous force gave
opportunities for serious division 1t is we'll
known that the sailors and soldiers of GER
tain countries do not like to serve under
British commanders, and that British sail
ors and soldiers have the same disinclina-
ton to take orders from foreign superior.
But 1t has been hoped that the peril of the
moment would lead all differences to be
sunk in order that common purpose might
be executed against common enemy.
One of the chief dangers apprehended has
been that the foreigners would separate
into factions. not only reducing their power
against the Chinese, but opening up the
more serious possibility of an international
breach between the forces Of the foreign
powers. Besides this, 1t is felt here that
the Russian authorities, always sensitive,
will quickly resent this imputation of bar
barism and cruelty. AS to the facts of
cruelty asserted, the officials here accept
them with great allowance. and they par
ticularly express their displeasure at hay
ing the Americans brought into an apparent
disruption with the forces Of another power.
Thus far the United States has acted con-
currently with the powers, with one
more than any other, and the authorities
here will use every effort to control and
prevent chickering's and backbitings.
Immense Army Around Pekin.
An idea of the immensely of the task
which the allied powers have assumed is
given in a dispatch from Shan Hal Kwan,
about 200 miles northeast of Pekin. This
dispatch states that the Chinese army
around Pekin alone numbers 5000 men,
and with modern weapons. But for the
fact that this army is badly drilled and
disciplined, it would form an almost insur-
mountable barrier to the advance of the
STA, Japan and England are sending large
reinforcements to the seat of the trouble,
but considerable time will necessarily
elapSe before these troops can be in po-
sition to render practical service.
The United States is also said to be ar
ranging for the concentration of about 5000
troops in the vicinity of Tien Tsin. 1t Is es-
timated at the War Department, however,
that movement of that extensive charac-
present conditions in less than two or three
months.
A Belated Dispatch.
The Secretary Of the Navy has received
a belated dispatch from Admiral Kempff
should cooperate with the other naval
forces In the assault on the forts at Taku.
This dispatch was sent before the capture
of Taku and the instructions asked for were
never sent. This explains to some extent
why the American navy took no part In