Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-26


WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.-The fol-
lowing statement is posted at the War
Department.:
THE Instructions Of the Secretary of
War were cabled to General Chaffee to-
day that pending negotiations for set
tlement, legation guard of a regiment
OF infantry, under the command af Gen.
eral Chaffee will remain in Pekin for
the protection of our minister and
American interests. and that the re-
mainder of General Chaffee's force,
along with staff officers not required,
stores and material, will be sent TO Gen.
Macarthur at Manila.
The text of the order is not made
public for diplomatic reasons. 1t is OBJ
served that the force left under General
Chaffee constitutes legation guard
and is maintained for the purpose of
protecting American interests. This
means that the United States forces will
not in any sense be under the command
OF Count Won Waldersee, the German
Field Marshal, as there Is not suffi-
Gent force lett in Pekin for military
operations.
there are about 400 troops in China.
1t is expected that 1900 will remain.
The marines, about 1,00e in number,
also will be withdrawn and sent aboard
the ships of the Asiatic station.
WASHINGTON, September 25.-The
United States Government to-day took
the first step toward the redemption of
its pledge made TO the Russian Govern
ment August rs last by cablegram in
struction to General Chaffee to reduce
the American forces in emma to the
proportions of legation guard. Near
ly a month ago the RUSSIAN Government
was told through NJ. De Wollant, its
charge here, that If the Russian forces
and ministry were withdrawn from
Pekin, we shall give instructions to
the commander of the American forces
in China TO withdraw our forces from
Pekin. after due conference with the
other commanders as to the time and
manner OF withdrawal" That time has
now come, and to-day's action marks
the beginning OF the disappearance Of
the American army from China, for, al
though some military force is to re-
main, it will not be OF the character of
an army, but under the conditions laid
down in the order to General Chafree,
and especially under its official desig-
nation as legation guard" will be
rather OF the nature or civil guard.
This small force will not be included in
any military operations which may be
conducted by the allied armies, and 30
will not fall subject to the direction OF
the Field Marshal, Count Won Valdez
see, the ommander-in-chief.
1t is estimated that about week Will
be required to bring the $500 soldiers
away Irom Pekin, but as the start can
not be made Immediately, it viii be at
least about the end of the first week in
October before the movement can be
completed.
1t is stated at the quartermaster's de-
partment that there are enough trans
ports available to bring off the force
which Will come out or China.
Gen. Chaffee is authorized to take
from the ships now at Taku such stores
as will be necessary to last him through
the winter.
There were no developments in the
diplomatic side of the Chinese ques-
ton to-day, and although Baron Stern
berg, the German charge, and Minister
WI called separately at the State De-
partment, they brought no commune
cations which were made public. The
instruction to Minister Conger relative
to establishing relations with the Chi
nese ENJOYS is still withheld, presuma-
bly, to allow the President TO administer
some finishing touches.
This instruction is regarded as OF
much Importance, and will make part
of the case OF the Government and be
laid before Congress at the next SEES
sion. 1t Is settled that Minister Con-
ger is to be a member of the commits
sion to settle the various questions re-
naming to be adjusted.
The reported adhesion of the British
government to the position assumed by
the United States Government present.
ing the proposition TO make the surren-
der of the Chinese leaders a precedent
to negotiations, has given the greatest
satisfaction in official circles here.
Consul General Goodnow has advised
the State Department that the Tao I'll
at Shanghai has been disregarded and
that this is believed TO be due 10 the
favorable attitude OF that official TO-
wards foreigners.
The State Department has also re-
ceived several dispatches from Mr.
Rockhill relative to his conferences With
Minister Conger and the progress OF
his inquiries.