The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-07
AMERICANS IN BATTLE.
CONTINUED from page one)


according to the map, there is lake
five miles from the river at this point.
and the ground may have been flooded
from this lake through the dykes and
canals which gridiron the country there
about. The Russian and French forces
were to attack the enemy's left on the
right bank of the river between the river
and railroad.
This makes IL probable that the flooded
district only extended to the line OF the
railroad which at this point is about a
mile and a half from the river.
Gen. Chaffee's dispatch also shows an
other important feature of the plan of
campaign. 1t Is that the present objec-
tive point OF the column is Yang Tsun,
town about fifteen miles beyond Peitsang.
at the point where the railroad crosses
the Pei river from the right on the way
to PelSin.
GOOD LINE OF COMMUNICATION.
Once I'm possession OF this point the in
ternational force would have both the
railroad and river In its rear to keep
open communication with Tien Tsin.
II naturally WOULD become the advance
base from which the operation on Pekin
could be projected. At this point the riv
er veers TO the right and from IL the
column would have to move over land
along the line OF the railroad
The Chinese evidently are as much i'm
pressed with the strategic advantages OF
Yang Tsun as the international command
ers themselves. as Gen. Chaffee says in
his cable that the enemy is reported thir-
~ thousand strong at the crossing OF the
road over the Pei river.
Without doubt after the fight at Petit
sang the Chinese force there III the re-
port of Admiral Rcmey that 1t was forced
To retreat. proves correct, retired 10 Yang
Tsun.
There is no information as 10 The nl'm-
her OF the enemy which met the advance
at Peitsang. but judging from tho cas-
ualties to the international force, IL must
have been large and may perhaps double
the Chinese army which the column must
encounter when II reaches Yang Tsun.
The general feeling at the war depart
ment In that unless the Chinese generals
have been completely demoralized by the
Peitsang attack there Is very severe fight
ing ahead for the international forces
and that the ground will be disputed all
the way TO Pekin.
LITTLE NEWS AT LONDON.
London. Aug. THE special dispatch
OF the Associated Press from Tien-Tsin
d lted Sunday, Aug 8, s a. m, via Shang-
hal. Aug. lis the only press message
which has been got through from Tien-
Tsil since the battle at Peitsang.
Various Tien-Tsin dispatches OF earlier
dates alludo to reconnoitering encoun-
ters with the Chinese. preparatory TO a
general attack on the Chinese positions,
which arc five miles long. The recon-
noissance has developed that the Chi
nese are In greater strength than ex-
pccted. and the allies, according TO n
news agency dispatch from Tien-Tsn
dated August ?. arc each day pushing
nearer to the Chinese positions.
RUSSIANS FIGHTING.
The Russians who have been fighting
around Tasi Chow are reported. according
to- dispatch from Shanghai. dated Au-
gust 9Th. tn have killed 5000 Chinese.
The Taotai OF New Chwang has refused
the Russian demand to give up the forts
there.
\ dispatch from Hong Kong. under to-
days date. says trade with the west river
Is at stand still
II is now fully confirmed that fourth
brigade OF Indian troops has been or
dered TO China.
The Parliamentary secretary Of the for
cign oficc, MIR. Broderick. In the House
of Commons today, arguing n question,
said Her Maiesty's government had in
formed the Chinese government that its
members will ne held personally RESPONSE
ble NJ The members Of the foreign lega-
tions or other foreigners NJ Pekin suffer
injury.