The sun., 1900-08-27
ENEMY THREATENS PEKIN.
JAPANESE REPORT A HOSTILE FORCE
or 5000 IN THE FIELD

Russian and Japanese Cavalry We're Expected
10 Engage II on the 7Oth-May He Yuan's
Army-EmpreS DowsEer Was Not Capt
ured-No News From Pekin Since the Ieth.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 2o.-The only Official
news in regard to affairs in China m ade public
here to-day came through Japanese sources.
Advices received by the Government Toxic
show that there is lkeli lood of more fighting.
the Chinese not having abandoned the hope
OF retaking Pekin. These advices bear Pekin
date Of Aug. is eight days ago. A. that time
japanese and Russian cavalry had gone out
to meet Chinese troops and Boxers who were
threatening Pekin and expected to encounter
them on the 10th
A Chinese force Of 1900 was reported TO b
advancing on Pekin from the Province Of Shan
tnnR. adjoining on the south and southeast
the province Of Chilli, In which Pekln II situ-
ated despatch received al the Japanese
legation here contained the above Informs
tion and the additional news that the japanese
cavalry that started after the Empress Dowaeer
and the Emperor apparently abandoned the
chase The despatch follows:
"ToKfo. Aug. rs An official telegram. dated
Pekin. Aug. IS. was received at Toxic from
Yamaguchi, commander OF the Japanese forces,
TO the following effect:
The capital Is now entirely cleared OF the
enemy. A cavalry regiment which had been
sent to Wau shau Shan where the Empress
Dowagers palace is locatedl reports that the
Imperial family. who had left Pekin Aug. IL.
started after a short rest at Wau Shau Shan
for the west and We're under the escort Of Gen.
Ma and his troops. consisting Of only about
Ave hundred horsemen and twenty carts.
The japanese force occupied the Treasury
Department. in which over 2oOO.ooo taeh In
silver and large quantity Of rice were found
Another telegraphic despatch. dated Taku.
Aug rs. states that a. the Chinese troops and
Boxers who had gathered at Nan Yuen were
about to attack the foreign forces at Pekin.
japanese and Russian cavalry were expected
TO encounter them on the 2oth. The despatch
further states that Chinese infantry. some
1900 strong with fifteen guns, are advapdns
northwrd from shantung TO make . rear
attack on the allies"
The finest body of armed men in China ts
said to be the army Of Yuan Shih KAT. Governor
OF Shantung. II consists Of O0o0 soldiers.
armed with modern rifles and trained by Ger
man officers. II was through Yuan that the
messages sent out from Pekin by the Chinese
A. IT..
transmitted. He established a courier servtos
that could cover the 400 miles between Pektn
and Tsinan, the provincial capital OF Shan
tung, In two DAYS. For time Yuan was ap-
parently undecided whether TO regard q state
OF war as existing between China and the
Powers or TO cultivate the friendship OF
the foreigners. He apparently decided
in favor Of the latter course and on his own
responsibility conducted correspondence with
the foreign Consuls at Chefoo. which showed
q desire on his part to bring about peace Re-
Gently nothing has been heard from him. Binos
the fall OF Pekin IL has been reported from
Shanghai that he Is dead. II Is not unlikely
that the 1900 Chinese foot troops reported
to be advancing on Pekln from Shantuns are
Yuan's army.
Al the State, the Navy and the War De-
partmsnts the responsible officials said to-
day that no news had been received from China
In the past forty-eight hours II is evident
that the telegraph line from Pekin 70 Tisn-
tain has been interrupted since about the 10Th.
The last despatch from Minister Conser bore
that Pekn date and no messages since 70
ceived we're sent from Pek ln later than the 18th.