The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-08-08
AMERICAN SOLDIERS
IN THE BATTLE,
Continued From Page One.

It is felt that the representation of the
United States was disproportionately small
and there seems very little prospect that It
will be increased during the expedition. The
Sixth was left to do guard duty at Tien-
Tsn, an assignment which the men dislike.
1t was held back because its horses were
not disembarked at Taku in time for
the advance There Is some dissatis-
faction that so excellent a body should not
have been sent ahead on foot TO act as in
fantry, particularly as the United States
was not represented in great force OFF,
GERS here are chagrined at the plight of the
Sixth. 1t Is said that General Chaffee
might have offered to have disnounted his
cavalry, as has often been done before.
rather than allow the men to remain be-
hind to act as police in filthy Chinese
town. His force is small enough at best,
and 1t is not thought that he acted wisely
In not sending the men ahead on foot
1t is said at the War Department that ona
of the most valuable organizations in the
fighting column IS Reilly's Battery. 1t is a
magnificent body Of 800 men with the finest
guns and it is believed that these played a
very important part in the reduction OF the
mud forts with which the town was de-
Tended.
Dispatch Was Delayed.
General Chaffee's dispatch was sent Au-
gust 8. but 1t did not arrive here until late
last night, or to-day, so that unofficial news
of the battle was received before the out
line of the plans sent three days In ad-
vance came to the department.
According to this basis. It is not known JUST
when the news of the fight will be officiallys-
confirmed. 1t is hoped that a cablegram
may be at hand tomorrow conveying intei-
}igence of the combat in detail. Already
Relatives of those who were in the battle
6{re importuning the department for news.
but there Is little information at hand
, The message of General Chaffee demon
strates that the allies are working In har-
mony The fact that no supreme head has
been selected. despite the fact that battle
has been fought, indicates that the inter-
nationals have decided to conduct the cam.
paign upon a concurrent basis rather
than place any one man at the head.
1t is not believed that the first serious
clash of the armies was followed by inac-
tivity. 1t is assumed that the internationals
followed up their victory by pressing the
Chinese closely and no doubt inflicted great
loss. 1t Is said at the War Department that
before now another engagement may have
taken place on q larger scale than that of
Pei-Tsang. In fact, army officers feel as
sured that the victorious columns have
given the natives not a moment to recover.
but pressed them hard from the moment
their lines broke and the fight began.
Great Battle Expected.
General Chaffee makes mention Of Yang
Tsun s the objective point Of both the Chi
nese and the invaders. Here great battle
will. or by this time may have been. fought
The town is about twenty-five miles north
of Tien-Tsin and is on the point at which
the Pei-Ho River IS crossed by the railroad
which runs to Pekin. The possession Of the
place is absolutely essential to the success
of the campaign. and must be taken at
whatever cost. With this knowledge. tre-
mendous battle Is looked for at this place.
According to General Chaffee. the Chinese
Army is composed of $1,000. but the in
vaders. it Is said. had but 5000 in the ad-
vance at the beginning. and over LOCO Of
these have been put out of the fight at this
early date.
The War Department and State Depart
ment officials are overjoyed at the report OF
General Chaffee that Minister Congcr was
safe on July %. 1t is known that he would
not have cabled this information unless he
knew as a certainty that what he said was
fact, and 1t is believed that he obtained ec-
curate information from the legation.
1t Is now hoped that the American Min
lister can hold out until the allies reach
Pekin. The Government officials seem 10
believe that the imperial authorities will
never allow the city to be bombarded, but
will capitulate when the allies near the
gates and all hope of preventing the ad-
vance has been lost.