The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-18
Confirming Reports First Circulated at Ber-
lin, Shanghai and Elsewhere.
President Mckinley and All Members of the Admins
tration Greatly Pleased at the Success
of the Relief Expeditions

sagacious manner in which the State De-
rartment has at all times measured up to
the necessities of the situation, and un-
stinted praise for the prompt and decisive
way in which General Chaffee and the
allies acting with him performed their part
IN the most amazing international affair
known to this century.
LAST NIGHTS DISPATCHES.
An Associated Press dispatch says: The
Peking in the face of obstinate resistance.
and the members of the foreign legations
are safe. Ofiicial confirmation of the fall
of the Chinese capital came to the United
States government tonight in the shape Of
two cablegrams. one from Admiral Remey
and the other from Consul Fowler, at Che
Foo. The cahlegram ssor.. Asmirai Remey
came to hand first, early in the evening,
followed very soon after by that from Con-
sui Fowler and the officials. realizing the
great public interest in the events which it
was believed had happened in Pelking, at
once made them public.
Previous information which had been re-
ceived here showed that the allied armies
took possession of Tung-Chow on the 18TH
inst From that city to Peking the distance
is not very great-not more than a dozen
miles. 1t seems evident, therefore, that the
armies halted for time at Tung-Chow,
probably for the purpose of giving the men
rest and prepare for the attack on the
capital city in force, after waiting until
the rear of the advancing host should ar
rive at the front. Possibly also the delay
was the result of negotiations inaugurated
by the Chinese officials looking to the de-
livery of the ministers with Chinese or
ether escort. If negotiations were attempt
ed they must have failed. as the army
continued on its march and attacked the
capital three days after reaching Tung-
Chow.
The officials here were aware of the fact
that the stronghold of the Boxers was i'm
the Chinese city. and that for the allies to
attempt to force their way through it into
the Tartar city, in which the legation COM
pounds are located. might mean a great
loss of life and possibly defeat. 1t was
also known that the imperial troops. which
have sided with the Boxers. were, many of
them, in or near the Chinese city, and that
much of the artillery and rifle fire which
has been poured into the legations had
been from the walls separating the two
cities. These facts evidently were commu-
nicated to General Chaffee and the other
commanding officers of the allies. Realiz-
ing these obstacles. it appears the allies
decided to attack the city by the east gate.
There are four entrances to the city on the
east. two leading 20 the Chinese city and
two to the Tartar city. Just which one of
these was selected as the attacking point
Consul Fowler's dispatch does not disclose.
STRONG RESISTANCE
Contrary to the press reports of to-day,
Consul Fowler's dispatch shows that the
attack on the city met with strong resist
ance- The Japanese force engaged with
the advance. according to the understand
ing of the officials here. numbered 10000
men. so that the loss suffered by them
was over / per cent. Allowance is made
for losses in the forces of the other armies.
but 1t is presumed that it was in pro-
portion 10 that suffered by the Japanese.
The President was ovcrjoyed on hearing
the news of the safety of Minister Coneer
and his associates. He has been hopeful
all along that their rescue from the peril
Gus position in which they have been for so
long time would be successfully accom-
plished To-night's news confirms that
hope and brings a feeling OF great relief
TO him. The President entertained a num-
Der OF friends formally at dinner tonight.
among whom were several asquaintances
from, Canton. Later in the evening, as
soon as he heard of the news. Secretary
Root came I'm from the Country Club and
remained for some time with the Presi-
dent. discussing the latest Information
which had come 70 hand
Nothing has come 10 the War Depart
ment directly from General Chaffee but
the adjutant generals office is momentariIy
expecting advices. The officials were on
hand during the evening and waited until
a late hour before leaving for home with
out receiving any dispatches.
CHINESE MINISTER ELATED
The Chinese minister was elated when
word reached him OF the press dispatches
announcing that the lesationers had been
rslieyed. Not word had come to him