The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-10

WASHINGTON, Aug s-The capture
of Yangtsun. the first objective point of
the international forces, was the supreme
news OF importance received today on
the Chinese situation. The first work
of this capture, effected last Monday.
came to the signal office at the war de-
partment from Col. Scriven, the general
officer at Chefoo. saying:
Chefoo, Aug g.
Signals Washington: Aug. s-Yang-
tsun captured today Wire up. Need
own transportation. All well
Half an hour after this message a
cabiegram came from Gen. Chaffee Civ
ing additional details of the capture and
showing that II had been at the cost of
about sixty casualties among the Ameri-
can troops. Gen. Chaffee's dispatch is
as follows:
'Yangtsun, Aug. g.
"Yangtsun occupied today. Wound
ed. Second Lieut.. Frank r. Long,
Ninth infantry. Casualties about six
" men Ninth United States infantry.
Fourteenth United States infantry
artillery. Nearly all from Fourteenth
infantry. Names later. Many men
prostrated by heat and fatigue
"CHAFEE."
Important Information.
from Gen. Terauchi, second in command
of the Japanese stan. sent to the war Of
flee OF Japan and transmitted TO the le-
CATION here stating that the interna-
tionai army would total $4,000 men on
August Is. to advance on Peking This
dispatch stated that on the 4th. when II
was forwarded. the advance had not
begun. This was at first incomprehen-
sble, in view of the fact that fighting
l. al rn1
statement, that the international force
would total 5000 men on the 18th APP
pears to make clear Gen. Terauchfs
meaning and to reconcile It with Gen.
ChafYee's dispatches.
The present movement of some $1,000
men doubtless is viewed IN the light OF
a reconnaissance in force. the main
movement OF the army of $1,000 to follow
on the 18th. This makes clear the mean
ing OF Gen. Chaffee's dispatch that
Yangtsun was the objective point The
war department has been puzzled on this
point II would appear. however. from
Gen. Terauchi's dispatch that the first
force OF 1900 men. having opened up
communications to Yangtsun. brought
forward supplies and established this adj
vance base, the way would then be clear
for the advance Of the larger force on
the 18th. The capture of Yanstsun IL.
therefore. an important strategic branch
of the fast maturing military plans.
The place Is about eighteen miles be-
yond Tientsin and "a little less than A
quarter of the way to Peking. Col. Scri-
ven's statement. wire up contains
much meaning. as Il Is explained as
showing that there is telegraphic COM
munication with the army In the field.
Aside from the assurance this gives OF
speedy transmission Of news from the
front. 1, gives the additional assurance
Visibility OF the demand. The use OF the
word demand In the note thoroughly IN
dicates the urgency OF the message. In
the technical pariance of diplomacy, II
differs from an ultimatum. which usually
Axes date or sets time within which
there must be compliance, the failure OF
compliance during the stated time being
a ground for war While a demand Is
less specific as TO time OF compliance, Il
none the less asserts positive right
which the government will enforce II the
right be not conceded.
owing 10 the difficulties Of communica-
ton with Peking. Il Is expected that some
DAYS must clause before an answer can
that the line Is intact back 10 the first
base OF operations.