The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-26
A SMALL GUARD REMAINS
The Forces Withdrawn Must be Rush.
ed to Macarthur.
LONDON FOLLOWS WAsHINGToN's LEAD
II Is Stated That She is Unwilling to Make the
Punishment Of the Chinese RingIeaders
Condition Precedent to
Negotiations.
(By the Associated Press

NeSOllall0nS'
(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Sept 25.-The United
States Government today took the first
step towards the redemption of it's pledge
made to the Russian Government August
2Sth last by cabling instructions to Cen
eral Chaffee to reduce the American
forces in China to the proportions of
legation guard. Nearly a month ago
the Russian Government was told through
M. De Wollart, it's charge here, that if
the Russian forces and Ministry were
withdrawn from Pekin 1--WE shall give
instructions to the commander of the
American forces in China to withdraw
our forces from Pekin, after due confer
ence with the other commanders as to
the time and manner or withdrawal"
That time has now come, and today's
action marks the beginning of the dis
appearance of the American army from
China, for although some military force
is to remain, it will not be of the char
acter of an army, but under the condi-
tions laid down in the order to General
Chaffee, and especially under it's official
designation as a Legation Guard" will |
be rather of the nature of a civil guard |
This small force will not be included in |
any military operations which may be |
conducted by the allied armies, and so |
will not fall subject TO the direction of |
Field Marshal Count Won Waldersee the |
communicating chief. The text of the or |
der to General Chaffee is as follows:
TROOPS ORDERED WITHDRAWN.
'Adjutant Generals Department,
Washington, d. c., September 25.
ITO General Chaffee, Pekin.
September 25th.-No. 41.-Pending
negotiations for a settlement, the Secre-
tary of War directs that legation guard
of regiment of infantry, four troops of
cavalry, with rapid-fire guns and light
battery, with complete equipment and re-
serve supply of ammunition adequate for
any emergency be retained in Pelxin un-
der your command, and that you send
the remainder of your force in China to
Manila, to report to Macarthur The
guard should be amply provisioned, ETC.,
until navigation opens next spring. Re-
tain such officers for staff duty as you
deem necessary; all others, of whatever
corps or department., will be sent to Mac
Arthur for duty as soon as possible. All
stores, transportation and materials not
required for the legation guard sent to
Manila Place yourself in close relations
with our Minister, acting with him on
the lines that will best SubServe our in
terests, keeping this department fully
advised. 1t is important that you have
the confidence of the generals of the
other powers. General Wilson, with his
aides, will remain in Pekin for the pres
ent. Special instructions may be sent
to him. Cable Macarthur concerning re-
quirements to carry these Instructors
into effect. Inform generals commanding
forces of other powers of our intention
to withdraw part of our forces. Show
this to Conger
BY order of Lieutenant General Miles.
(Signed) "CORBIN."
THE NUMBER TO GO $500.
Much thought has been given to the
proper number of troops to be allotted for
this purpose and it is believed the Four
teen hundred men selected will be quite
sufficient to protect the American lega-
tion against any force that could be
brought against it. 1t is noteworthy, too,
that the most complete arrangements
have been ordered for the maintenance of
the men. while care has been taken that
there shall not be a shortage of ammuni-
tion as there was in the British Lega-
tion during the siege. 1t is estimated
that about a week will be required to
bring the $500 soldiers away from Pekin,
but as the start cannot be made imme-
diately it will be at least about the end
of the first week in October before the
movement can be completed
1t is stated at the Quartermaster's
Department that there are enough trans
ports available to bring off the force
which Will come out of China. Three or
four vessels will be at Taku by the time
the troops are ready to move. Besides
the TRANSPORTS for the men a number of
animal SHIPS will take away the horses
and mules which will not be needed in
China. Geueral Chaffee is authorized to
take from the ships now at Taku such
stores as will be necessary to last him
through the winter.
There were no Developments in the di-
plomatic side of the Chinese question to-
day, and although Baron Sternberg, the
German Charge, and Minister WI called
separately at the State Department they
brought no communications, which were
made public. The instruction to Minister
Conger relative to establishing relations
with the Chinese ENJOYS is withheld pre-
sunably to allow the President to adj
minister some finishing touches. This in
struction is regarded as of much import
ance and will make part of the case of