The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-10-04
ARE ORDERED AWAY
American Troops Will Get Out Of
China.
OUR PLEDGE To RUSSIA full FILLED
The Beginning of the Disappearance
of Our Army From Chlna-SmsH
Guard to Remain.

washington, ID. T.. Speclal.-Ihe
United States government Tuesday
took the first step towards the re-
demption Of its pledge mae to the
Russian government August 2Sth last
by cabling an instruction to General
Chaffee to reduce the American forces
in China to the proportion of lega-
tion guard. Nearly a month ago the
Russian government was told, through
NJ. de Wollant, its charge d'affaires
here, that If the Russian forces and
ministry were withdrawn from Pekin,
I'VE shall give instructions 20 the COM
mander of the American forces in
China to withdraw our forces from
Pekin, after due conference with the
other commanders as to the time and
manner of withdrawal"
That time has now come and this
action marks the beginning Of e dis
appearance OF the American army
from China, for, although some mill
tary force is to remain, it will not be
vi the character of an army, but under
the conditions in the order to General
Chaffee, and under its official designa.
tion as 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 Marshal Count Won Waldersee, the
commander-in-ch chief The text Of the
order to General Chaffee Is as follows:
"Adjutant Generals Department,
Washington, Sept. %.
ITO General Chaffee, Pekin:
September 25th, No. Al. Pending
negotiations for settlement, the
Secretary of War directs that legation
guard OF a regiment Of infantry, four
troops Of cavaly, with apid-fre guns
and light battery, with complete equip
ment and reserve supply Of ammuni-
tion adequate for any emergency, be
retained in Pekin under your COM
mand, and that you send the remain
der of your force in China to Mania,
to report 10 Macarthur. The guard
should be amply provisioned, ETC., un-
til navigation opens next spring. .-e-
tain such officers for staff duties as
you deem necessary; all others OF
whatever corps or department will be
sent to Macarthur for duty as soon as
possible All stores, transportation
cation guard should be 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
present. Special instructions may be
sent him. Cable Macarthur concern
ing requirements to carry these in
structions 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. CORBIN."
Much thought has been given to the
proper number Of troops to be allotted
for this purpose and it is believed that
the ] 400 men selected will be quite
sufficient to protect the American le-
cation against any force lnat could be
brought against it. 1t IS noteworthy,
too, that the most complete arrange
ments have been ordered for the main
tenance of the men, while care has
been taken that there shall not be
shortage of ammunition as there was
In the British legation during the siege.
1t is estimated that about week will
be required to bring the $500 soldiers
away from Pekin, but as the start can
not be made Immediately. 1t will be at
least about the end Of the first week
in October before the movement can
he cOmDleted