The Bowbells tribune., 1900-08-17

Washington, Aug. 15.-The American
commander in China, in dispatch OF
just three words received at the war
department late yesterday afternoon,
sent thrill of exultation and expec-
fancy throughout official quarters by
announcing his arrival at Ho ST WI,
only thirty-three miles from Peking
last Thursday. The last heard from
him before this was at Yang Tsun.
which had been captured after hard
fight, and word of his mOvemnets since
then had been eagerly awaited. Thurs
day he was eighteen miles beyond
Yang Tsun. Lang Fang, the place
where the ill-fated Seymour expedi-
ton
Met It's Fate
and turned back had been left he-
hind. The battle of Yang Tsun was
fought on the 9Th, and the advance to
Ho ST WI was accomplished on the
9Th, a march of eighteen miles in three
days. This was four days ago, and at
the same rate of progress Chaffee IS
even now fairly within striking dis
tance of the walls of Peking. 1t was
a consummation which the war de-
partment had awaited calmly, and STIR
ring as the news was that the Amerl-
can force was now nearing the gates
of the imperial city, Secretary Root
and Adjt. Gen. Corbin evinced no sur
prise, as it accorded with calcula-
tions, although the advance has been
more rapid than was expected.
The Dispatch.
The dispatch from Gen Chaffee con-
veying so much in so few words is as
follows: "Chefu-Adjutant General,
Washington: Tenth arrived Hospiuw
(Ho ST Wu), yesterday"
Word of the advance soon spread
throughout official circles. In the en-
thusiasm of the moment a report got
about that this was the day for the
actual arrival at Peking, but the war
department had not word Of the ad'
vance beyond Ho ST Wu. 1t was
deemed hardly likely that the march to
Peking could have been made since
last Thursday. At the rate of prog
ress,
Six Miles n Day.
made from Yang Tsun to Flo ST Wu,
about twenty-four miles would have
been covered in the last four days,
and up to to-day this would still leave
the international forces nine miles
from Peking. Viewed from any stand
point, the advance to HO ST Wu was
of the utmost Importance, not only
strategetically, but also in showing
that communication was open back to
Chefu; that the expected opposition
from Chinese hordes had not been suf-
f1cient to prevent the steady forward
movement, and in in the influence 1t
would exert upon the Chinese govern
ment.
Result of the Fighting.
Shortly after this dispatch arrived,
another message from Gen. Chaffee,
far more lengthy. gave the melancholy
result Of the fighting at Yang Tsun.
The casualty list was given in detail,
with the additional information that
the dead had been buried at Yang
Tsun and that the wounded had been
sent back to the hospital at Tien-tsin.
The reply of the United States gov
ernment to hCina's overtures for peace
was made public early in the day,
that had been taken. While express
reply states that it is evident that
"there can be
No General Negotiations
between China and the powers" so
long as the ministers and legationers
are restrained and in danger. Then
follows a specific statement of what
the United States expects as condi-
ton precedent to a cessation of hos
tilities. viz, that a body of the relief
force be permitted to center Peking
unmolested' and escort the ministers
back to Tien-tsin. It developed dur
ing the day that the reference to "the
powers employed in the American
reply was not without a distinct mean
ing. Exchanges between the various
powers have been going on constantly,
and as a. result the officials
Had the Satisfaction
of knowing late in the day that the
position of the United States had the
approval and support of all the great
powers. While this had not been ex-
pected in any formal manner by the
parties, yet the exchanges in the chan
cellories of Europe through the for
eign representatives in Washington
had made it positive that the powers
were acting unitedly in approval of the
course of this government. Several Of
the foreign representatives. including
Baron speck Won Sternberg, the Ger
man charge d'affaires, had extended
conferences with Mr.. Adee during the
afternoon. These added to the assur-
ances of unanimity among the powers.
The presence Of the Russian represent
ative was gratifying in clearing away
some MisnpprehensiOn
which was not shared by the govern
ment here as to Russia's course in au-
thorizing NJ. de Giers to leave Peking
under Chinese escort. It was pointed
out that this in no way brought about
a difference in the attitud eof Russia,
and thst, as of the other powers, all
were acting on the theory that the
Chinese government must first give an
absolute guarantee for the safety Of
the ministers. 1t seems evident that
this absolute guarantee cannot be Civ,