Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-06-27
.CHAFF[[ N COMMAND
Ell Caney Hero Will Direct Ameri.
can Forces in the Chinese
Empire.
Four Regiments Are Already Under
Orders to Proceed to the
Orient.
-- - ------
,ChafFse Will Sail at Once and Will
Act Independent Of Other
Powers.

00k AAu0p0uVouJ5VAO GuoE
Powers.
Washington June 1.-Maj. Gen.
Adna r. Chaffee has been ordered to
take command of the United States
land forces in China and to proceed to
Pekin by way of San Francisco and
Taku. This means that the govern
ment will not parley with the Chinese
yiceroys or wait on the action of the
powers, but will at the earliest posi-
BILE moment place a strong military
force in the Chinese capital for the pro-.
lection of American citizens and off,
Gals.
The earlier impressions, that the
lshed at Che Foo is thus disposed of.
and the purpose of the administration
to drive directly thru to Pekin by the
nearest road is made clear.
Gen. Chaffee's Immediate command
will consist of the Ninth, Fourth and
Twentieth Infantry, To be sent from
Manila, and the sixth cavalry. which is
said to be about ready to leave San
Francisco.
The Ninth Infantry which is 70 sail
today. is in fine fettle, 1,40t strong. the
men being in excellent physical condi-
ton and the regiment being perfectly
equipped both with clothing and ord
nance. Supplies Will be rushed to
CHINA with all pype1itior,sSs
Gen. corbin said of the Ninth that it
is provided with an ample supply OF
machine guns, tents and complete field
equipment. i; goes to China prepared
for active field service and is thorough
.ly equipped in the matter Of transport
3taticn and subsistence supplies for a
long campaign. The regiment is COM.
5manded by Col. Liscurn, one of the
sbravest and most discreet officers in
the army. The trip from Manila to
Taku will be made on the transports
Logan and Port Albert. the latte1'y car
rying transportation outfits and ma
chine guns. The vessels will proceed
at their highest rate of speed. and are
expected To reach the Chinese port by
next Monday on Tuesday.
Gen. Chaffee should be on the scene
of action by Aug. 1. He will sail on the
transport Grant. scheduled To leave
San Francisco July l.. and will be ac-
3companied to China by his aid. Lieut.
Roy H. Harper, Seventh Cavalry. The
general was seen last night and was
asked for statement concerning the
SORT of campaign our troops would
Wage in China.
Il start for San Francisco tomor-
row, replied the general. "and have
hardly time enough to pack up and get
away. have never fought the Chinese
before and am not familiar with the
ground that we may have 10 cover. We
must get there first, and the situation
being laid before us. our campaign will
present itself gradually as the ext
sgencies of the situation demand. We
do not know just what ordnance will
be sent there This question is an inn
sportant one and is being settled as ex-
peditiously as possible
The general was in consultation
with war department officials most Of
the day. He arrived in Washington
Yesterday. Gen. Corbin called to-
gether the chiefs of various bureaus on
Gen. Chaffee's request and all the
points relative 10 equipment and ord
nance, clothing. etc. We're gone into
The announcement of Gen. Chaffee's
assignment and the orders to proceed
70 Pekin came after the state depart
sment had declined to accede to a sec
ond proposition from six great viceroys
of China that foreign troops be kept
out of China until LII Hung Chang
reaches Pekin. In more formal man
ner, with the signatures of the six
riceroys representing the greater part
of the empire, Minister WI repeated
yesterday his plea that the foreign
troops be kept out of the country.
Secretary Hay laid the formal re-
quest of the Niceroys before the cabi-
net meeting. but there was no Gispo-
sition to vary from ths presidents de-
termination, already made known by
Secretary Hay to the Chinese minister
TO send our forces to such points as
We're menaced and where our officials
and citizens We're in danger.
While the .viceroys spoke for their
provinces, they could not speak for Pc
kin. and 1t is to Pekin that the officials
most anxiously look.
Minister Conger is still silent and the
latest advices have shown that little
r.liance can be placed on the dis
patches from Shanghai saying that the
ministers and legations at Pekin were
safe. For this reason the orders to
Gen. chaffee to proceed to Pekin took
on an added meaning.
Secretary Long received nothing dur
ing the day beyond the early dispatch
from Admiral kempff stating that the
combined forces had entered Tien Tsir
| and that the Seymour expedition was
reported ten miles from Tien Tsin
surrounded. This cleared UP one stu.
atioi only to present another condi.
ton which may prove even more grave
IL.