Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-09-06
CHAFFEE ASKS
FOR INSTRUCTION
Whether He Shall Leave the Chinese
Capital.
HAS NO ORDERS TO WITHDRAW.
Evidently lie Had Received No lnfOrma-
tiOn Regarding the American Re-
ply To Russia.

Washington, September A very in
teresting dispatch was received today at
the War Department from General Chat
fee. 1t described the military situation as
eminently satisfactory and would have
been of great value but for the omission
common to all of the other official dis
patches from China, namely, the date
line. However, taking into consideration
the fact that a cablegram was received by
the State Department today dated five
days ago, from Mr.. Conger, the conclusion
was reached that GeneIAl Chafiee's dis
patch also was sent from Pekin about
August 29 or 30.
General Chaffee asks very important
question as to the withdrawal of the Amer
ican troops. The answer to that question,
it is said, might have been found i'll the
State Departments answer to the Russian
evacuation proposition. But that answer,
or rather a synopsis of it, was not cabled
to General Chaffee until the 30th ultimo,
and it is assumed that, allowing for the
same time in transmitts' rs was consumed
by General Chafee's dispatch received to-
day, the synopsis has just reached him.
PROBABLY DID NOT REACH HIM.
When the American answer to the Rus
sian proposal was made public, it was
stated here that General Chaflee had been
instructed some time before by telegraph
just what course to pursue in the matter
of retiring from Pekin in the event of an
emergency that afterwards arose. This
being so, today's application for instruc-
tions might be regarded as an indication
that he had not received the original in
structions when his message was sent.
1t is stated that no message has been
sent to General Chafiee to leave Pekin as
the result of any recent development. in
fact, it would seem that the War Depart
ment is not able to instruct him more spe-
officially on this point until the decision OF
the powers relative to general evacuation
is known. 1t is stated by the War De-
partment that our position is unchanged;
if Russia withdraws her troops, then Cen
eral Chatfee will do the same. But we
will not act unless there is a general agree
ment, or Russia actually does withdraw
her troops
Meanwhile, it is gathered that condi'
tions in China are disordefed, and that
foreign life and property are still unsafe.
The dispatch received from Minister
Conger was gratifying tc officials in that it
contained the date of Pekin, August 80,
as an integral part of the message and la
cipher. The text of the Conger dispatch
was not made public, but it was autborita-
lively stated that it did not change the
situation, and was devoted somewhat to
expressions of opinion.
1t is authoritatively stated in this con-
nection that Minister Conger will remain
at his post until further orders. Up to
this time he has expressed no wish to be
relieved
In diplomatic quarters, Russia's motives
continue to be a fruitful theme. The
theory advanced by M. De Blowitz in the
London Times, that it was an offset to
France for Russias supposed nomination
of Count Waldersee, is regarded as purely
fanciful.