Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-24
FIRE AND FIGHTING
Continued from page ~

today, was the decision of the gov
eminent not to send any more troops
to China. All the troops now at sea
amounting to about 1000, together with
those under orders for service in the
Far East. which have not sailed, amo
Far East, which have not sailed,
amount to about 5000 more, Will be sent
to Manila. These troops will sail on
the same route. and upon touching at
Nagasaki, will go on to Manila unless
there are developments in China not
now expected, which would make their
presence in that country necessary.
Secretary Root said. today. that no
more troops We're being sent TO China
because they We're not needed. With
the arrival at Taku of the Hancock
and the troops she carried, General
Chaffee will have 5000 available men,
which is deemed sufficient for all pres
ent purposes. The decision of the de-
partment was not based upon any rec
concentrations made by General Chat
fee, but upon reports received by him,
which made it apparent that no NOR"
troops We're needed.
The announcement OF the diversion
Of the troops was made in the following
official bulletin, which was posted at
the war department, this evening:
The government has decided that
unless required by future developments
no more troops are to be sent to China
Orders have accordingly been cabled 70
Nagasaki for the Meade. which is due
there, today, with four troops 81 Cav
airy. four companies 18th Infantry and
Company +, battalion Of the engineers
mi
orders will be given to the other troops
which are under orders for China Via
Nagasaki.'
1t was stated at the department that
the encouraging condition in China was
the main reason why the orders of to-
day regarding the troops, We're Issued.
Besides the troops on the Meade there
is now at sea the Warren, with Two
squadrons of the 9Th Cavalry and re-
cruits; the Sherman, with one battal-
ion each of the I'd. 9Th, and Sth lnfln-
try. The Logan is scheduled to sail
on Sept. | with two battaliOns of the
lst and one battalion of the % lnfan-
try. 1t was said at the department
that 6O00 or 1000 troops would be af-
fected by the order.
A dispatch was received from General
Chaffee. today. dated Pekin. Aug. 10,
which was not in response to the re-
quest sent him q few days ago, to re
port the conditions and requirements.
General Chaffee did not report further
fighting in Pekin and for that reason
the Washington officials feel assured
that hostile demonstrations in the
Chinese capital have ceased.
The dispatch related largely To trans
portation conditions ana stated that
the railroad between Taku and Pekin
could not be used at the present time.
as portions of it had been destroyed by
the Chinese. General Chaffee Will CO.
operate with the other commanders in
China in reconstructing the road for
the use of the allied forces. General
Chaffee also reported that the telegraph
line which was constructed by the sig
nal corps from Tien Tsin to Pekn, is
frequently interrupted, being cut prob
ably, by hostile Chinese.
At a conference at the White House
today, in which the President. Secre
tary Root and Acting Secretary Adee
participated, careful instructions We're
prepared for Mr. Rockhill. the United
States special commissioner to China.
to be forwarded TO him at once for his
guidance. The state department re-
ceived a dispatch from Mr.. Rockhill.
today, dated Yokohoma, briefly an
nouncing his arrival there. This
brought about the White House con-
ference and the preparation of instruc
lions.
Before Mr.. Rockhill left he was adj
vised very fully the purpose Of this
l.; 4.
the situation has so changed at Pekin
as to make it desirable to supplement
the instructions he already had re-
ceived. Mr.. Adee stated that as the
instructions related to pending affairs
it would be inexpedient to make public
anything in reference to them
The United States has taken the lead in
replying 10 China that there will be no
temporizing negotiations. and there Is ev-
cry reason to believe the powers will be
united in this same policy. The answer
of the United States was quickly fol-
lowed. today. BY similar action on the
part of Germany, the Berlin foreign Office
delivering to the Chinese minister an an
swer refusing 10 enter into negotiations
on the ground that there was no evidence
that Ii Hung Changes credentials gave
him sufficient power to act and that moth
ing short OF complete authority from the
responsible rulers OF China. the Emperor
and Empress Dowager. could be regarded
as sufficient Soon after this action at
Berlin. the German charge daffaires
Baron Speck Won Sternburg, was advised
by cable and he called at the state de-
partment to inform the authorities OF
Germany's course.
The japanese officials expressed their
full conviction that Japan would take
similar action. if, indeed, such action al
ready had not been taken. The course
of France and Great Britain has not been
made known here, but there is thought to
be no doubt that these governments will
decline to treat with China at this time.
The United States acted entirely on its
own initiative and, as it has turned out,
acted first and In such a way as to have
other governments take like action.
The German reply in one respect is re-
garded as having significance beyond that
of the United States. in that il is based
on the theory that there can be no SOW
ereign authority in China other than that
emanating from the Emperor and En-
press Dowager. Among diplomatic Off
Gals this is said to be equivalent to an
ion,