The Portland daily press., 1900-08-24

Washington, Auugst s8.-The impor-
tant development IN the Chinese situa-
tion today was the decision OF the govern
ment not to send any more troops to
China. All the troops now at SEA,
amounting to about 1900, together with
those under orders for service in the far
east which have not sailed, amounting to
about 5000 more, will be sent to Manila.
These troops viii sail on the same route
and upon touching at Nagasaki, will go
on to Manila unless there are develop
ments in China now expected, which
would make their presence Ia that coun-
try necessary. Secretary Root said today
chat no more troops were being sent to
China because they We're not needed
With the arrival at Taku Of the Hancock
and the troops she carriee., Gen. Cha nee
win have 5000 available men, which is
deemed sufficient for all present pur
poses, The decision of the department
was not based upon any recommended
tion made by Gen. Chaffee, but upon re-
ports received by him, which made it
apparent that no more troops were need
ed. The announcement of the diversion
OF the troops was made in the following
bulletin which was posted at the war
department this evening:
ssThe government has decided that un-
less required by future developments, no
more troops are to be sent to China.
Orders have accordingly been cabled
to Naqasaki for the Meade, which is due
there today with four troops, Sth cavaI-
rv. four companies 10Th infantry and
Co. e, battalion of engineers, to proceed
directly to Manila Similar orders will
be given to the other troops which are
under orders for China via Nagasaki.
1t was stated at the department. that the
encouraging condition in China was the
main reason why the orders of today, re-
garding the troops, were issued.
Beside the troops on the Meade there are
now at sea, the Warren, with two squad
rons Of the 9th cavalry and recruits; the
Sherman, with one battalion each of the
Cd, 9th and 8th infantry. The Logan is
scheduled to sail on September 1st with
two battaIions of the first and one bat
TALON of the second Infantry. 1t was said
at the department that six or seven thou
sand troops would be affected by the
order.
IA despatch was received from Gen,
Chaffee today dated Pekin, August IS,
which was not in response to the request
sent him few days ago to report the
conditions and requirements. Gen.
Chaffee did not report further lighting in
Pekin and for that reason the Washing
ton officials feel assured that hostile de-
monstrations in the Chinese capital
have ceased. The dispatch related large
Iv to transportation conditions and stat
ed that the railroad between Taku and
Pekfn could not be used at the present
time, as portions of it had been destroyed
bv the Chinese. Gen. Chaffee will CO.
operate with the other commanders in
China IN reconstructing the road for the
use OF the allied forces. Gen Chatfee
also reported that the telegraph line
which was constructed by the signal
corps from T1en Tsin to Pekin, is fre-
duently interrupted, being cut, probably
by hostile Chinese. At a conference at
the White House today. in which
the President, Secretary Root and
acting Secretary Adee particiDated,
careful instructions were prepared
for Mr.. Rockhil1, the United States special
commissioner to China to be forwarded to
him at once for his guidance.
The State Department received a des-
patch from RockhilI today dated Yoko-
hama, briefly announcing his arrival
there. This brought about the White
House conference and the preparation OF
instructions. Before Mr. Rockhill lef the
was advised very fully of the purpose OF
this government, but since his departure,
the situation has SO changed at Pekin as
to make 1t desirable to supplement- the
instructions he already had Ieceivs1. Mr..