The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-08-28


advices up to the most recent date. There
are indications that the principal delays in
the lines of communication are encountered
between Tien-Tsin and Pekin. a fact eX-
planable by the newspaper advices that
small bands of Boxers are operating on the
line of communication of the Pekin cam
paign force. Just such interference with
the work of the Signal Corps men was ex-
perienced by the United States forces in
the Philippines and by Lord Roberts 8
troops in the Transvaal campaign. Usually
these Interruptions are very short, the
marauders being driven off and the lines
restored within a day or two. The fact
that more than n week was covered by the
last interruption gives rise to the belief
here that these attacks upon the lines or
communication by Boxers are more formi-
dahle than was supposed to be possible after
the heavy losses inflicted upon them by the
international forces in their advance.
COnEer's Message.
The important dispatch of the day was
one from Minister Conger relative to the
military situation in Pekin. Unfortunately.
1t lacked date. the Minister presumably
not having yet received the department
instruction to include the date in the body
of his dispatches. The State Department at
first undertook to have the cable companies
correct this serious omission, but. finally,
concluding from internal evidence that Mr..
CongeTs message was certainly later than
any official emanation from the Chinese
capital. the message was allowed publicity
for what 1t was worth.
Conger's reference to the arrival OF 1900
fresh German troops caused some surprise,
no one apparently having closely watched
the movements of the German contingent,
which is now arriving with fairly regular
frequency in China and which consequent
ly may be expected soon to equal in nu-
nlerical strength the military contingents
of any of the European nations there rep
resented.
significant statement in Minister Cong
er's dispatch is that respecting the expect
ed appearance in Pekin of some of the
members Of the Tsung Ii Yamen. The nat
ural construction to be given to this state
ment Is that the Ministers wish to under
take to represent the Chinese Government
formally in the negotiations with the Pow
ers. 1t has been found impossible up to this
moment, according to Mr.. Conger's state
ment. to meet any representatives of the
Chinese Government in Pekin who were
competent to open negotiations. 1t may be
inferred that II these Ministers actually
appear. with proper credentials, one OF the
problems connected with the present diff
cult situation in China will be solved With
some responsible person or persons to
Geai with, 1t may be possible for the United
states to come to some agreement as to a
settlement OK the Chinese trouble
another statement in Mr. Congers dis
patch. relating to the decision of the Gem
erals not to enter the imperial palace. an
pears to explain the movement Of the Amer
lean troops in relaxing the attack on the
palace gates after capturing all but one of
them. VI
Little Castine Goes to Amor.
another event of the day of some interest
was the order dispatching the Castne from
Shanghai to Annoy. distant about 400 miles
hpD cho
about two days under favorable conditions
Her force Is small but sufficient to serve
the moral purpose, II there be need for such
II appears that she is ordered to Annoy
quite Us much on account Of representations
from well-informed business circles as from
any official advice. The Consul at Amoy
agreeing with the representa- tons of the
business interests 1T was decided to be prop
er 10 SEND gunboat to Annoy not because
or any particular apprehension, but to pre-
vent riotlnB at this dangerous point
Chnffee's Dispatch.
the following dispatch from General
Chsffee has been received at the War De-
partment:
"Taku, Aug. N.-Adjutant General, Wash
inston: Colonel Wint on the 18th reports
marched Mt a. m and engaged large force
OF enemy seven miles from city; dispersed
them, killing about 100. Americans lost Ave
wounded. VIII cable names wounded as soon
as ascerta:ned.
(SignedD "CHAFFEE
Colonel Wint Is Lieutenant Colonel of the
Sixth Cavalry. but is acting as Colonel In
the absence Of Colonel Sumner. who Is in
Europe
General Chaffee's cable adds nothing to
the Information in possession of the depart
ment relating to military movements as II
is simply General Chaffee's belated official
report Of an engagement previously report
ed by Admiral Remey in a cable dated
Taku. August 20, in which he said:
Morning. 1p.-Sxth Cavalry and about
400 English and Japanese dispersed about
1,000 Boxers outside of T1en-Tsin. About 100