The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-26
OUTLOOK FOR WAR
Germany Is Expected to Inaug-
urate HOstilities
AS Soon as V0n Waldersee As
sumes Command.
HURRYING TO GET OUT
United States Anxious to Avoid
a Mix Up
In Case of Further Trouble in
the Chinese Empire.
HURRYING TO GET OUT

London, Sept. 26-The news from
China indicates that events are rapidly
drifting in the direction of war between
|. China and Germany.
There is the best reason for believ-
ing" says the Shanghai correspondent
of the Morning Post, that Count Won
Waldersee, on arriving at Taku, will
present an ultiInatum demanding the
surrender of five leaders of the anti
foreign uprising. After a few hours
grace he will formally declare war, and,
taking advantage OF Germany's posi-
tion as belligerent, he will proceed to
seize everything available with the Ger
man forces and fleet
1T is expected that Germany will take
the WI Sung forts and the Kiangan
arsenal, thus dominating Shanghai It
is also believed that she will attack the
kiangwin forts on the Yang Use from
the land side and endeavor to seize the
Chinese fleet, including the valuable new
cruisers. Failing in this she will at least
occupy the province of Kiang Su north
of the Yang Use.
1.-THE French will support Germany.
This is not runlor, but reliable infOrma-
tion, and will probably be confirmed a
the foreign office. Prompt action is
necessary to prevent a, coup which will
constitute a serious menace to British
interests.
Russia has handed over the Taku-
Pelxin railway to Germany"
The Shanghai correspondent of the
Standard telegraphing Monday, says:
Chinese officials report that Prince
Tuan has issued a secret edict in the
name of the Empress Dowager to the
effect that the imperial court has de-
cided to continue the war against the
powers at whatever cost. The edict
threatens that any official failing to
support the Mancilus will be beheaded
as a traitor, his whole family executed
and the tombs of his ancestors demol-
ished.'
CHAFFEE'S ORDERS.
Washington, Sept. 26-The text of the
order to General Chaffee for his with
drawal from Pekin is as follows:
ITO General Chaffee, Pekin, Sept. 25.
No. offending negotiations for a set
tlement, the secretary of war directs
that a legation guard of a regiment of
infantry, four troops of cavalry, with
rapid fire guns and light battery with
complete equipment and reserve supply
of ammunition adequate for any
emergency, be retained in Pekin under
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 you
deem necessary. All stores, transporta-
tion and materials not required for the
legation guard send to Manila Place
yourself in close relations with our min
lister, acting with him on the lines that
will best Subserve our interests, keeping
this department fully advised. 1t is i'm
pOrtant that you have the confidence of
the generals of the other powers Cen
era1 Wilson with his aides will remain
in Pelxin for the present. Special in
structions may be sent him. Gable Mac
Arthur concerning requirements to carry
these instructions into effect. Inform
general commanding forces of other
powers of our intention to withdraw part
of our forces Show this to Conger."
BRIGANDS ARE ACTIVE.
HOMO Tonr Sent 05-Tba GomnoT
transport Gera and three German tor
pedo boats have arrived here.
Advices from the West River report
that piracy and brigandage are increas-
ing and it is considered probable that
the river will relapse into its old state
of insecurity during the winter unless
active measures are taken. Several
minor piratical acts are reported and it
is also stated that villages near KuIn-
Chuk have been burned by brigands.
GRAVEYARD DESECRATED.
New York, Sept. ga Herald dis
patch from Hong Kong says mob des-
troyed the Catholic church at Toksa-
hang, a few miles from Canton and af-
terward desecrated the American Bap-
tist mission graveyard yesterday.
Rowdies also destroyed the American
Presbyterian church just outside Can
ton.
Feeling at Fatshan is intensifying.
HURRYING TO GET OUT.
Washington, Sept 26-It is believed
that Gen. Chaffee being at Tien Tsin
has by this time received instructions
cab1ed him yesterday relative to the re-
duction of his force in China If he re-
turns to Pekin to execute the order, it
will be Monday at least before he can
begin the movement toward Tien Tsin.
1t is thought here that with a view to
preventing any possible misunderstand-
ing he already has acquainted the mill
tary representatives OF the powers at
Tien Tsin of the projected withdrawal
of the American forces. This is deemed
more necessary, because of the posi-
bility of the appearance of Field Mar
shall Won Waldersee at Taku, or Tien
Tsin at any moment 1t is desirable
that the change of the status of the
American troops shall have taken place
before he appears on the scene
The rapid trend of events in China
toward actual and formal war, which is
regarded as certain to follow a refusal
on the part of Germany and some of
the other continental power to enter into
negotiations for settlement with
China, is regarded here as justifying the
decision of the state department to i
withdraw the American troops, now
that the purpose for which these troops
were sent into China has been accom-
plished The department has held from
the first that state of war did not ex-
list with the Chinese government, and it
secured the assent of every one of the
powers to that proposition It still does
not believe there is sufficient ground
for changing that position and refuses
to be drawn intowar without such
ground
What effect, if any, a declaration of
war upon China by Germany alone, or
in alliance with others powers would
have upon the negotiations which Mr..
Conger has in hand, can only be conjec-
tured. Mr. Conger was to arrange the
preliminarieS for a meeting between the
representatives of the powers and China
with view to effecting a harmonious