Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-23

Tor more Hard Work Before the
Chinese Are Cleared cut Between
Peixin and the Sea.
WASHINGTON, August 22.-The
War Department announced early to-
cay that Il was in receipt of a casu-
atty list from General Chaffee. and this
was made public about noon. 1t was
learned however. that the Chaffee dis
patch contained a considerable amount
OF matter beside the list of killed and
wounded, and it was the subject OF
an extended conference at the White
House among the President, Secretary
Root and acting Secretary OF State
Adee. 1t was hoped by the officials
that the receipt Of detailed news from
General Chaffee would simplify the
situation considerably and enable thn
Government to map out, in a large de-
gree, its future line of action in China
This was not the case. however. GEN.
eral Chaffees telegram indicated that
that there may yet be considerable
heavy fighting around Pekin and be-
tween that city and the coast. 1t was
impossible to make any prediction as
TO the date of ratification on the infor-
nation thus furnished, and the admin
istration is not able to fix even an APP
proximate date for the withdrawal OF
our troops from Chinese territory.
While the White House conference
was in progress, the Chinese minister
arrived at the State Department Mr..
Adee was absent, and the
The Minister waited Patiently
for two hours, the expectation being
that the reply of the United States
Government to Ii Hung Changes peace
application would be handed TO him.
At u O'Clock Minister WI had heard
nothing as to the return OF the acting
Secretary of State, and he returned 60
the Chinese legation. expecting to call
tomorrow unless advised before then
that his presence was desired.
Bloody work has been going on IN
Pekin. according to a despatch receiv-
ed to-day by the Navy Department
from Admiral Remey. dated Taku, tho
GOTH and Pekin. the 18th. The mes
sage shows that the American forces
were then fighting, along with the al
lies, and that progress had been made
which could only have been accom-
plished after military efforts of
novel character
officials OF the War Department
who are familiar with the physical
conditions of the defenses of Pekin,
say that the fact that all but the i'm
perial city had been cleared OF Chi
nese troops is evidence enough OF the
severe fighting which must have oc-
Cured In order for the American
troops to penetrate TO the gates Of the
palace they must have stormed a wall
about thirty feet high, which no doubt
was stuboornly defended.
1t Is Il source OF Satisfaction
to the military officials here that the
aIliede commanders succeeded in clear
ing the region outside OF the imperial
city of Chinese troops, as thereby the
danger OF attacks In the flank and The
rear, while the invaders were stOrming
the imperial city would be obviated
Every one is glad. OF course. that the
Americans were the first 70 enter the
imperial city, and her testimonial 10
the galiantry and industry Of the Amer
lean forces.
Admiral Remey's dispatch, In stating
that all but the imperial city had been
cleared Cf the Chinese soldiery, left
the impression that a force OF defend
era was still entrencned In that sec
ton OF Pekin and would have 20 20
routed out. Undoubtedly there have
been brisk engagements since the Re-
mey dispatch was sent, but the off,
Gals Of the department here are In 10
way concerned about the result OF ths
fighting.
General Chanee's brief report stated
that he entered the legation grounda
at ; O'Clock OF the evening Of the 18th.
and that eight OF his men we're wound
ed IN the days fighting. admiral Re-
mey's dispatch shows that within ths
next two days General Chafiee lost
six men killed. including Captain Reil-
ly, Of the Fifth artillery. and thirty
men wounded.
To ali appearances, therefore. the
fighting in Pekln was
More severe After the Entry
into the city than during the move
ments which brought the Americans 70
the legation gates.
This may be explained by the eyi-
dent fact that the rescuing parties we're
engaged n clearing the outer city OF
the Chinese soldiery. Such a task
could not have been light one owing
TO the presence OF large bodies Of Chin
csc troops IN the city. and the means ~
hand Of terrifying Themselves IN ths
narrow streets Of the main city. and
behind the waIl Of the Imperial city.
Admiral RsIley's despatch also
shows that there Is further fighting
outside ri Pekin and that the Boxers
have not been dispersed. but are STA
Inclined to hang on tbe outskirts q
the invaders and harrass them as mucA
as possible.
Il also would seem TO prasage more
fighting for the allies II they should
attempt 70 return from Pekin. and for
the reinforcemenfs which will be send
forward 10 Tien Tssn and Pekin. Evil