Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1900-08-19
NEWS OF FALL OF
PEKINC CONFIRMED;
AMERICAS POLICY
Later Dispatches Indicate
Severe Struggle In the
Shadow of the Walls.
DETAILS ARE AWAITED

the Attitude Assumed When the
Troubles Began-AIl Future Efforts
Will BE Directed Toward Protecting
American Interests.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19.-Official con-
firmation continued to pour In today
that the allied armies had taken Picking,
and that the legationers were safe. The
first dispatch came from Brigadier Gen.
eral Barry, who had just arrived at Che
Foo to become chief of staff to General
Chaffee
About the same time the state depart
ment received cipher cable message
from Consul General Goodnow, al
Shanghai, stating substantially the same
thing as to the arrival of the allied
forces at Picking and the safe deliver
ance of the legationers. These dis.
patches, together with those of last
night from Admiral Remey and Consul
Fowler, dissipated the slightest vest
ige of doubt as to the arrival at Picking
and the safety Of the legations, but there
is still an eagerness among officials fol
the details of the momentous event.
The Barry dispatch spoke of Picking
as being "taken, which to a man Of
military training, meant there was a
struggle. This Tailed with the Japanese
admiral's statement Of fierce resistance
and considerable number Of casualties
among the Japanese. Admiral Remey
also uses the expression that Picking was
captured" It is, therefore, accepted
among officials that an engagement oc-
CURED in the shadow of the great walls
of Picking. The state department., as
well as the navy department, Is expect.
ing momentarily from Admiral Remey
the details of this engagement. The
admiral has stated that he had sent
Lieutenant Latimer, one of his staff Off
GERS, to the front for the express purpose
Of furnishing accurate information. His
dispatch last night came from Tien
Tsin, only 80 miles from Peking, and
gave promise that wire communication
with the front was open, at least In
part.
Policy of Our Government.
With the allied armies at Picking, and
the legationers rescued, it can be stated
that the American administration con-
siders one of It's most essential purposes
has been achieved, and that now ~ re-
mains only to carry out, with unswerv-
ing fidelity, the purposes already clearly
defined by this government. Although
these purposes were made known some
weeks ago in Secretary Hays note of
July they now assume special impor-
lance in the light of work to be taken
up. Four distinct purposes were laid
in the declaration, viz:
''The purpose of the president is. as it
has been heretofore, to act concurrently
with the other powers.
'"First-In opening up communication
with Picking and rescuing the American
officials, missionaries and other Ameri-
cans who are in danger.
'Second-In affording all possible
protection everywhere in China to
American life and property.
"Third-In guarding and protecting
all legitimate American interests.
''Fourth-In aiding to prevent
spread of the disorders to the other
provinces of the empire and recur-
renee of such disasters.
It can be stated authoritatively that
the foregoing declarations stand exactly
as they die on the day they were enun-
ciated. The government considers that
the first purpose enumerated. namely,
"opening up communication with Pc
king and relieving the American off,
cials, missionaries and other Americans
who are in danger" is now achieved.
There may be details of this rescue
still to be carried out, but no doubt is
entertained that the rescue will be ac-
complished. That leaves the three re-
manning purposes set forth still to be
carried out, and these are chiefly on the
line of restoring order, quiet and secu-
rity to the disturbed country.
Awaiting Advices From Conger.
The intention Of this government ns
to the With rawal of troops from China
cannot be ated at this time and any
statement bearing on this point is con-
jectural. The fact is that the military
situation at Picking is yet to be clearly
developed by the adyices from those on
the ground. What course Is to be adopt
ed concerning the troops will depend
largely on these advioes, and upon the
exigencies Of the situation. Tt Is stated
that there can be no immediate with
drawal of the troops that have been OPP
Grating in China, at least to the extent
of giving them opportunity to rest and
recuperate. The fresh forces will guard
the line of communication between Pc
king and the seacoast.
Until information is received from
Minister Conger and General Chaffee,
no definite steps can be taken In the ne
gotiations for carrying out tia purposes
of this government in China. IL will
depend on advices from these officials as
to where and when such negotiations
will take place.