Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-25
EVIDENTLY CUT OFF
No Communication Appears to Be
= Possible With Pekin.
CABLES TO CHAFFEE UNANSWERED
Administrations Course Awaits
information From Him.
EMB ARASSING CONDITION

I'D to noon today the War Department
had not received from Gen. Chaffee the
report requested of him a few days ago
upon conditions in Pekin. In fact, several
recent cablegrams of inquiry addressed TO
Gen. Chaffee have not been answered.
In this situation 1t was found necessary to
again call upon Gen. Chaffee for a 1uil re-
port for the guidance of the officials OF
this government. 1t is supposed that the
uncertainty of communication between
Pekin and Tier Tsin is responsible for Gen.
Chaffee's silence.
The wires have been cut between the
capital and Tien Tsin, and ii is probable
that the messages were sent by courier
from Pekin. 1t is regarded as very unfor-
tunate that there should be such difhcuity
of communication at this time The de-
partment is depending in large measure
upon Gen. Chaffee for information which
will guide the administration in the move
ments of the Immediate future.
The War Department this afternoon de-
MED the report that Gen. Chaffee haa
recommended the withdrawal of United
States troops from Pekin.
1t has been more than week since Gen.
Chaffee has been heard from. The last dis
patch from him at Pekin was dated August
Is although two casualty lists were re-
ceived yesterday, one dated at Tien Tsin the
.lst and the other the I'D. 1t is not be-
ueved that either of these was sent by
Gen Chaffee in person. but his name was
signed as a matter of form. More than
week ago two dis pa atches were received from
Gen. Chaffee, but they were in such shape
that they cannot be deciphered at the de-
part-nent.
They are regarded as very important from
the belief that they relate to conditions in
Pekin. the number of persons under the
protection OF the allied forces and the sup
plies for the army, as well as for these peo-
pie. orders have been sent him directing
him TO repeat the message.
Cable Companies InterrOgated.
The War Department has also taken up
the matter OF cable communication and has
asked the cable companies TO see If the
Chafee messages can be Strengthened out,
and also 10 ascertain if the messages sent
TO Gen. Chaffee can reach him. and If they
cannot be delivered why. 1t is. of course,
recognized that the Boxers are interrupting
the line constructed by the Signal Corps
from Tien Tsn to Pekin. At the same time,
with communication by cable to Shanghai,
thence overland 10 Chefoo,by cable to Taku,
and protected line TO Tien Tsin. it is felt
at the department that communication
should be more expeditions.
The fact that General Chsffee has not
been heard from is decidedly embarrassing
TO the War Department regarding its oper-
ations and movements as regards China.
The department desires to have not only
information as to conditions but also the
latest advices as to any recommendation
General Chaffee may have to make.
Rnssia's Position Indicated.
1t was stated today that Admiral Remey
had informed the Navy Department that 1t
was reported that the Russian commander
had forbidden any communication between
his troops and the Chinese, which reports
were also carried in the press spatckes,
thus indicating that the Russian commander
considered a state of war existing between
Russia and China.
Events in Pelin Disclosed.
Acting Secretary Adee last night made
public the following dispatch from Consul
Fowler at Chefoo. giving additional infor-
nation bearing on events in Pekin:
"CHEFOO Undated),
Received August %. Midnight.
Secretary of State. Washington:
''Twenty-third. japanese report emperor
(andJ empress left Pekin 14th. rested at
Wau-shOu-shan. Supposed destination Tai
Yuan-fu CTai-yuen-fu?J, Shen-si. Prince
Ching believed to be in Pekin. Li-Ping-
heng died. Half population left.
FOWLER"