The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-27
Circulation Statements



The Chinese situation. as viowel in the
little light the press here has at the mo-
ment. is TOO much under cover TO discuss
very intelligently. A despatch was re-
ceived at the War Department from Gen
eral Chafiee this morning, and il is posi-
BILE that it may be of a character to clear
up the mystery which for several days has
rrounded events in Pekin- AS the con-
nts of the message are withheld we are
b the dark as to that. The latest news
Ymade public is TO the effect that the Chi
nese apparently were preparing TO attack
the allied forces at Pekin in the hope of
being able to retake the capital Nine
thousand Eurcpean-driIled troops. armed
with modern rifles and with fifteen guns,
were reported at Nan Yuen ready to move
on the city. and they were supposed TO be
supported by thirty thousand irregulars.
The japanese and Russian cavalry had
started out 10 meet them expecting to en-
gage on August 20. At the same time the
American and British artillery had been
posted on the south wall of Pekin to re-
pulse a threatened attack in rear.
Various other disquieting reports have
been received. 1t is learned that the com
munications between Pekin and Tientsin
are being interfered with by the Chinese
and that there is urgent need for re-sn-
fcreements 10 keep them open. Again,
the general disruption along the line is
producing serious famine conditions. which
premise to become acute before many days.
What the American Executive will do in
of he II hs
seen, but there is a probability that the
six thousand troops ordered diverted TO
Manila, may be now ordered 10 proceed
TO Tsku as originally intended Conditions
in the southern treaty ports are me1acng,
and altogether the military situation is
the reverse of encouraging
Answers TO the circular note OF the
State Department TO the British, Euro
pean. and Japanese Governments. asking
for a definition of their position and rec
ommending an international conference
are beginning to come in, but the nature
or the replies is suppressed by our execu-
tive authorities. 1t is believed, on the
basis of the private admissions of de-
paTtment officials, that they are not sat
isfactory. The probable response of Ger
many was forecasted in despatch from
Berlin TWO days ago, which asserted thai
the German Foreign Office did not consider
the present time propitious for confer
ence, and that the allied commanders
should hold Pekin and other occupied
parts of China. until Count Won WalIerset
should have assumed command and tad
time to report upon the situation
The indications are that the war is By
no means over. that the Chinese are re-
covering from their recent panic, and, I'M
der the influence of the Imperial Govern
ment, which doubtless has placed itself al
a safe distance from the zone OF hostilft1es
by this time. are getting ready to make Z
stand against the foreigners not only be-
tween Tientsin and Pekin, but on the Ton
kin and Amur frontiers, and perhaps
everywhere else. If such conditions. which
now appear imminent, should materialize
1t is hard 10 see how this country coult
about a "seuttling policy" in China, o.
conUariwise how the President could avoit
"scuttling' unless he were willing 10 in
woke the war-making authority OF III,
Constitution which, so far, he has ignored