The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-23
ALLIED FORCES TO
REMAIN IN PEKlN
Continued from pase oneo

considerably and enable this govern,
ment TO map out In a large degree, Ia
future line Of action In China, This
was not the case, however General
Chaflee's telegram Indicated that theN
may be yet considerable heavy fighting
around Pekin, and between that city
and the coast, II was impossible tc
make any prediction as TO the da,J
OF the paeihoation on the information
thus furnished, and the administration
is not able TO fix an approximate date
for the withdrawal OF our troops from
Chinese territory.
While the White House conference
was in progress the Chinese minister
arrived at the state department, Mr..
Adee was absent. and the minister
waited patiently for two hours. the ex-
pectation being that the reply Of the
United States government TO II Huns
Chang's peace application would be
handed to him. AT ls o'clock minis
ter WI had heard nothing as to the
return OF the acting secretary OF state
and he returned TO the Chinese Legal
ton, expecting to call tomorrow. un-
less advised before then that his pres
enee was desired.
Bloody work has been going on in
Pekin. according to dispatch receiv-
ed today by the navy department from
Admiral Remey. dated Taku, the Goth,
and Pekin. the 10th. The message
shows that the American forces were
then fighting, along with the allies.
aud that progress had been made which
could only have been accomplished at-
ter military efforts OF severe char
acter.
officials OF the war department who
are familiar with the physical con-
ditions Of the defesses Of Pekin, say
that the fact that all but the imper-
ial city had been cleared Of Chinese
troops is evidence enough OF the severe
fighting which must have occurred. In
order for the American troops to pene-
trate the gates of the palace they must
have stormed wall about 80 feet high
which no doubt was stubbornly de-
Tended.
1t is a source OF satisfaction to the
military officials here that the allied
commanders succeeded in clearing the
region outside of the imperial city OF
Chinese troops. as thereby the dan
ger Of attacks in the flank and in the
rear. while the invaders were stormlng
the imperial city. would be obvlated.
Admiral Remey's dispatch. in stating
that all but the imperial city had been
cleared OF the Chinese soldlery. left
the impression that force OF defend
ers was still intrenched in that sec
ton Of Pekin. and would have to be
routed out.
General Chaffee's brief report stated
that he entered the legation grounds
at 5 o'clock on the evening Of the 14th.
and that eighty men were wounded in
the days fighting. Admiral Remey's
dispatch shows that within the next
two days General Chaffee lost six men
killed. including Captain Reilly. Of the
Fifth artillery, and 80 men wounded.
To all appearances. therefore, the
fighting in Pekin was more severe az
ter the entry into the city than dur.
ing the movements which brought the
Americans to the legation gates. This
may be explained by the evident fact
that the rescuing parties were engaged
in clearing the outer city OF Chinese
soldiery. Such a task would not have
been light one, owing to the presence
Of large bodies Of Chinese troops in
the city and the means at hand Of for
tifying themselves in the narrow
streets Of the main city and behind
the walls Of the imperial city.
Admiral Remey's dispatch also
shows that there is further fighting
outside Of Pekin. and that the Boxers
have not been dispersed, but are still
inclined to hang on the outskirts
Of the invaders and harrass them as
much as possible. It would also seem
to presage fighting for the allies If
they should attempt to return from
Pekin, and for the reinforcements
which will be sent forward to Tien
Tsin and Pekin. Evidently, according
to the military authorities, the coun-
try about Tlen Tsln and between that
city and Pekin still harbors hostile
forces which win have to be overcome
by the allies before the road can be
opened from Pekln to the sea.
M