The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-10
TROOPS FOR THE EAST.
Six Thousand Troops Ordered to the
Far East-For Use In China or the
Philippines a. Occasion May Require.

Washington, July As a result OF
a through consideration on the sub
ject by the secretary OF war, Lieu;en-
ant General Miles and Adjutant Cen
eral Corbin. orders were issued by the
var department for the dispatch OF
s.25i regular troops 10 the Philippines
with view 10 their utilization in Chi
ma The forSe is made up OF two
battalions each Of the Fifteenth. Sec
ond, Fifth and Eighth infantry TWO
squadrons each OF the First and
Third cavalry and = company OF engi-s
neers.
These troops will be forwarded As
rapidly as transportation arrangements
can be perfected. AMI the entire fleet
q. transports at SaE Francisco am
New York will be employed In t-.e
work
The issue OF the formal orders or
the dispatch 10 the east OF more than
1900 troops from the army posts in the
United States in manifestation
OF the energy with which ne govern
ment is now about To act in the Chi
nese matter. True. these troops are
nominally destined for the Philippines.
10 replace the volunteers now out there
but it is admitted that they are being
sent out by = route that viii easily
admit of detection 10 Taku or some
other governmental Chinese port.
When these troops are landed in China.
together with the Ninth infantry. sup
posed To be now at Taku and the Ma
rine and naval contingent, the United
States will have force in action COM
mensurate with our interests and in
proportion 10 the European force.
Japan Is 10 begin the movement on
Pekin, according 10 todays advices.
with the full consent OF the powers,
and il is calculated that the foreign
reinforcements, including our own, will
arrive in China. if they are landed ar
all, in season to finish the work that
may be left by the japanese.
The order of today to the troops
Will, it is believed at the state depart
ment, have an indirect but most impor-
tant effect on the situation as a whole
| in China Once the great viceroys Of
central and southern China became
| satisfied that the foreign legions are
| actually coming in force, they may be
| counted upon TO take the warning 10
| themselves and continue to observe
| neutrality, at least. Evidently Consul
| General Goodnow's suggestion yester-
| day has had its effect, for he pointed
| out himself the beneficial effect that
| the addition of troops 10 the soldiers
/ now in China would have
Quarter Master General Ludington
| has Just shipped 10 Japan for service
| either in China or the Philippines, two
complete American pack trains. oi
fifty packs each. The animals and. at
tendants sailed today on the steam
ship Lenox from Portland, Oregon
direct to Kobe, Japan, where furthe.
orders will be sent as to the ultima. q
destination of the outfit. The pacl
trains are similar to those that prov.
| ed so useful in the Luzon campaigns
. representing the type OF transporta
tion developed on the prairieS OF th'
west, and are expected to prove Of IN.
greatest service in case United State.
troops are required TO operate in north
ern China during the rainy seasol
, when the poor native roads are impas
sible for wheel transportation.