The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-27
WAR NOT DECLARED
ALL POWERS TECHNICALLY AT
PEACE WITH CHINA.
NO FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
NOT EVEN RUSSIA HAS ASSUMED
THAT ATTITUDE.

News From Their Representative
In China-From japanese Sources
the Latest News Was Obtained.
Russia's Objects in Her Chinese
observation-disclosures a state of
Siege I'm Three Provinces.
Washington, Aug. 26.-Russia, Germany
and Japan have not declared war upon
China, either separately or in concert
This statement is made upon authority
of the highest character. What those ma
tions may do within the next forty-eight
hours, or within the next fortnight, is a
question which no one in Washington is
prepared to answer.
brief dispatch from Che Foo, con-
veying a rumor current there that Rus
sia, Germany and Japan had joined in a
declaration OF war upon China, aroused
iEgton officials and among diplomatic
representatives of foreign governments
resident here In neither official nor
diplomatic circles. however, was the ru-
NOR taken seriously. No information of
such action has reached either the De
governments primarily interested. That
fact alone is accepted in official circles
as sufficient refutation of the rumor.
NO Word From Representatives.
Officials of the State, War and NAVY
Departments were at their desks early
to-day but up 10 the hour of closing for
the day not a word had been heard from
Minister Conger, Gen Chaffee or Admiral
Remey Since the dispatch from Consul
Fowler was received late last Thursday
night the Department of State has re-
ceived no advices from any source in
China, except brief cablegram from
Minister Conger inquirng how he should
route his messages The text of the dis
patch. which, it is explained, was very
brief and purely administrative in charac-
ter, was not made public.
The War Department has received no
dispatch from Gen. Chaffee, known to
have come directly from him, for about
week. Cablegrams signed "Chaffee" have
been received. but as they contained only
lists OF casualties, it is assumed they we're
sent by some subordinate officer in Gen
Chaffee's name. From no official source
has the department learned of the depart
ure of forty Americans from Pekin for
Tien Tsin. as reported in a special dis
patch to London newspaper under date
of Aug. 10.
Advices from Gen. Chaffee are expected
hourly, as the military telegraph line be-
tween Tien Tsin and Pekin, which has
been interrupted, presumably. is being or
has been repaired. Imperative instructions
were sent yesterday to the comman ander of
the United States forces at Tien Tsin to
have the line restored at once under the
protection of a cavalry detachment.
A suspicion exists here that the delay
in messages. both from and to Wash
ington, is rather between Che Foo and
Shanghai than between Tien Tsin and Pc
kin. From Che Foo to Shanghai the line
is in control of the Chinese authorities,
and it is suspected they are not so prompt
in the transmission of messages as they
might be.
The japanese Dispatch.
Late in the day dispatch was received
at the japanese legation from the for
eign Office of Japan. conveying the latest
and most authentic information of the sit
uation in and around Pekin. In meas
ure, the advices were of a disquieting ma
ture, as they indicated that the Chinese
had rallied their forces and were preparing
for an attack upon the allies in Pekin. If
1t should prove true that the alb ed forces
were besieged in Pekin. it would account
for the lack of advices from Gen. Chat
fee. AS made public by Minister Taxa
hra. the dispatch from the Japanese for
eign Office al Toxic is as follows:
AN official telegram. da ted Pekin, Aug
Is, was received at Toxic from Gen. Yam
aguchi, commander of the japanese
forces, TO the following effect:
The capital is now entirely cleare
of the enemy. A cavalry regiment, which
had been sent to Wan Shau Shan (whers
the Empress Bowagers palace is locat-
ed), reports that the Imperial Hmily, who
had left Pekln Aug II, s.arted after a
short rest at Wan Shau Shan. for the
west, and were under the escort of Gen.
Ma and his troops, cons sting OF only
about 200 horsenen and 20 carts. 7 he Jap
anese forces occupied the treasury de-
partment, In which over two million taels
in silver and a large quantity of rice were
found.
"'Aro. her telegraphic dispatch, dated
Taku, Aug. 20, states that as the Chinese
troops and Boxers, who had gathered at
Nan Yuen. we've about to attack the for
eign forces at Pekn, japanese and Rus
them On the 9th. The dispatch further
states that Chinese iafan ry, SINE 5000
strong, wi h fifteen guns are advancing
northward from Shan Turg TO make a
rear attack on the allies"
A copy of the dis atch was transmit
ted TO Act ng Secretary Adee at the de-
partme M of state, end by him furnished
to the president. While the news CT a
possible rear attack upon the compara-
lively small force OF the allies was not
received with surprise it generally was
not regarded as serious, as the foreign
forces are believed to be abundantly able
to take care OF themselves agai. s. any
force of Chinese likely to be sent against
them.
The Attitude of Russia.
In the absence OF official information
from China or from United States officers
the interest to-day centered Ia the diplo-
matte phases of the existing trouble. The
rumor OF declaration of war by Russia.
II Is explained, may have grown out OF
the operations OF the troops OF the Car in
the protection OF the southeastern frontier
OF his empire: or Il may have arisen from
the reported statement OF the commander
of the Russian forces at Pekin that his
government was al war with China, and.
therefore, he must prohibit comm unicatlon
with the Chinese. Neither the ope erations
OF Russia on her frontier nor the prohi-
billion by a Russian general N communi-
cation with the Chinese would constitute,
n Is SAID, q declaration OF war by Russia.
No general, BY a mere dictum. could de-
clare war Even his statement that his
government had declared war would not