The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-23
Leads News Circulation

reported early in the morning, bringing
the story of the Pekin operations up to
the 10th in Pekin, and confirming the
press report already printed of the death
of the gallant Captain Reilly in the final
assault Oh the outer walls of Pekin.
The text of Admiral Remey's dispatch
is as follows
DEATH OF REILLY.
"Che Foo, August 21-Taku, August
2O-Dickens' command is landing today.
Pekin 10th, all except Imperial City clear
ed of Chinese troops. American troops
first to enter Imperial city; have pene
trated ito the gates of the palace. Cap
tain Reilly with artillery, killed on 10th.
Morning 18th Sixth cavalry and about 400
English and Japanese dispersed about
1000 Boxers eight miles outside of Tien
Tsin. About 100 Chinese killed: five
Americans wounded. Chaffee's losses six
killed, thirty wounded; two days fight
ing.
(Signed) "REMEY."
The Navy Department understands from
the reference to the palace that the
American troops after penetrating the
Imperial City were when the dispatch was
sent, attacking the Forbidden City. This
is the inner enclosure of the Imperial City.
The signal office contributed it's quota
of news in the following dispatch from
Major Scrven, Chief Signal officer of the
expedition, dated Pekin, August 18th:
"City occupied. All well.
(Signed) ''SCRIVEN."
The signal office says that while this
dispatch was several days in coming
through to Washington, there is reason
to believe that the military telegraph line
is now working into the Chinese capital
Some delays are expected at first, as the
line is simply insulated wire laid on the
ground, there being not enough timber
in that section to erect it on poles, until
lumber iron poles are shipped in.
Notice also was received at the Depart
ment today that the TakuChe Foo cable
is in working order. 1t is thought there
will soon be direct and reliable line
of wire communication from the War De-
partment to General Chaffee's headquar-
tiers at Pekin.
The most important dispatch of the
day was not made public by the War
Department but was the subject of an
extended conference at the White House
this morning between President, Secre-
tary Root and Acting Secretary of State
Adee. 1t was from General Chaffee and
arrived about the same time as the
casualty list of the Pekin fight. 1t was
dated the 18th and therefore was not
a reply to the message of inquiry sent
to General Chaffee by the War Depart
ment On Monday night
Still it answered a number of the in
quiries contained in that message. 1t
NTH hon
and conditions. While it cannot be said
to have contained any bad news and re-
corded the brilliant successes of the
American troops who have borne them
selves so CALAMITY in the assault on Pc
kinf it contained enough as to the un
settled conditions in China, and the pros
pect of long and arduous work in re-
storing peace, to form the subject for
a consultation of some hours between
the President and his advisers.
1t was hoped in official circles that
when General Chaffee should be heard
FROM he would report that the work
of the American expeditionary force had
been accomplished by the rescue of tho
Ministers and that the blow struck at
the Boxer insurgents by the Foreign COL
umn had dissipated these revolutionists
and left China with hands free to moke
her peace with the civilized world. In
stead of this, however, General Chaffee
had to report an utterly chaotic condi-
ton of affairs, and the capture of a
capital whence all the heads of Gov
eminent had fed. There was nothing
for the victors to do but to prevent an
archy by administering on this derelict
of empire which had fallen into their
hands. Therefore, the prospect opened
up by Chaffee's dispatch is that the
American contingent of necessity will be
detained in China for some time to come
probably for the whole winter. This will
necessitate the hurried completion of
preparations that already have been be-
gun comfortably to subsist out army
through the severe winter weather which
will soon close in on Northern China.
CHAFFEE is CONGRATULATED.
Washington, August 22.-The War De-
partment has made public the following:
"War Department. August 22d-to Ma
jcr General Chaffee, Pekin, via Taku:
The President Joins me in congratula-
tions ito you and the officers and men of
your command on the brilliant achieve
ment in which the courage, fortitudc and
skill of the American forces i'm China have
played so honorable a part. While mourn
ing for your fallen comrades, the whole
country is proud and grateful for your
great success.
(Signed ELI ROOT.
''Secret of War
A REPLY MADE TO EARL Ii.
The State Department mas made public
the following statement:
1.-The Acting Secretary of State author
ICES the statement that a reply has been
made today to Minister Wu's communi-
cation of two kilograms from Earl Lii
Hung Chang, dated respectively the 10Th
and 21st instant, relative to a cessation
of hostile demonstrations and the APP
pointment of representatives to negotiate
with China. The correspondence will not
be made public until tomorrow CThurs-
day. morning
THE FORWARDING OF SUPPLIES.
The War Department received the fol-
lowing cablegram:
'Tien Tsin. August 10Th, Adjutant Gen