Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-08-10
Ii Hung Chang Makes Positive
Announcement.
HE DECLARES CHINESE MUST FIGHT.
Entrance of Allies to the Capital Inn
possible, and VIII BE Strongly OPP
posed-Another Message from
Minister ConEcr.

Gfltcnafd Morgan. member OF parlla
ment for Merthyr Tydvil. by his agen
at Shanghai. The agent had carrie,
to Earl Ii a message from Mr.. Nor
gan urging that the allied troops b
allowed to enter the capital, and stat
ing that a settlement could be mad
at Tientsin whereby war of tn
world against China would be averted
but even the optimistic Ii failed t.
hold out the slightest hope of it
feasibility, although he reiterated t,
Mr.. Morgan's agent his declaration
that the ministers had left Picking
fixing the date Of their departure as
August 2. The agent makes this com
ment: THE consuls are without con
firmati ton
Message from Conger.
Washington, Aug. e.-The following
cablegram from Minister Conger wa:
received Tuesday night by the state
department:
i-Nan-Yamen, Aug ITO Score
tary of State: Still besieged. Situation
more precarious. Chinese government in
s1sttng upon our leaving Picking, which
would be certain death Rifle firing upor
us daily by imperial troops Have abun-
dant courage, but little ammunition or pro-
VISIONS. Two progressive yamen ministers
Deheaded. All connected with legation OF
the United States well at the present mo-
5 ment. CONGER."
Latest from Picking.
Shanghai, Aug. s.-The japanese
consul here received by wire Tuesday
message to the effect that the for
elgn ministers at Picking were safe
August 1, but that they expected re-
newal OF the attack by the Chinese at
any moment. 1t was added that only
Rs cartridges each and six days pro-
VISIONS were left. 1t was also said
that the Japanese secretary had died
of his wounds.
Germany Approves.
Berlin, Aug. s.-The United States
embassy in Berlin has informed, -tlia
German foreign office that the Amer
ican government desires, under all
conditions, that the Yangtse-Kiang be
left open for American trade. and that
Washington will also oppose all
schemes for the division of China, no
matter from what power they may
proceed. 1t is understood that this
attitude is fully approved by the Ger
man government, since it comedies
with the wishes of Germany.
A Chinese Version.
London, Aug. s.-A special dispatch
from Shanghai, dated Tuesday, says.
1T is reported that heavy lighting took
place last Sunday east of Peitsang, the al
lies losing 400. Of whom 65 were British The
Japanese artillery did splendid service in
the face of calling Chinese cross fire, un-
DER which they lost heavily. The Chinese
We're forced to retreat. but saved their guns.
Their rear guard was attacked and practi-
caily deeimated.''
Tells of Intended Fight.
I Washington, Aug. s.-The war de-
partment has received the following
eablegram from Gen. Chaffee:
"Chefoo. Aug. Z. = Adjutant General,
washington: Tientsin Sd, conference to-
DAY decided battle Sunday. Chinese in
Left of Chinese protected by flooded
ground practically unassailable japanese,
Englfsh, American forces about 10000
strong attacked Chinese right, west of
river in flank. Other forces, Russian,
ffench, about 1900 strong, opposite side be-
Tween river and railroad
Chinese position apparently strong.
Army reported 10000 between Pebang and
4 ang Tsun or crossing of road over Pei Ho.
Yang Tsun objective. Our force 1000 and
battery. Conemaugh arrived. Sixth cav
airy left Cat Tientsim for guard of city
TH KY awaiting mounts. Ministers safe on
2Sth of July. "CHAFFEE.
Confirms Story of Battle.
The dispatch of Gen. Chaffee, written
before the battle of Sunday. confirms
Che dispatches received at the navy de-
partment Monday, and also the press
dispatches received Tuesday concern
ing the attack on the Chinese at
Peltsang. Gen. Chatfee's dispatch.
gated Friday, was not sent from Che
zoo until Tuesday, an inexplicable de-
lay. The most interesting feature of
The dispatch is the information regard
Ing the positions of the Chinese army.
ana the fact that the advance upon Pc
king is made by two columns, one on
each side of the Pei river.
Only $4,000 Men.
! Ihe international force, as given by
ten. Chaffee, would aggregate about
14,0O0 men, while the other dispatches
say 10000, but this difference can easily
be accounted for, as more men might
nave been available when the move
ment began than when the conference
was held on the Sd instant. This con-
ference is supposed to have been be-
Tween the several commanders present
at I1entsin. 1t is evident that the for
e1gn commanders do not underesti-
mate the task which they have before
Them, as the dispatch shows that n
thorough reconn oisance of the Chinese
position had been made and that even
before the advance of the international
force from Tientsin the commanders
were in position of full information
relative to the Chinese position. This
as one of the most welcome features of
the dispatch, as it proves conclusively
1hat the international column did not
plunder upon an intrenched position of |
fhe enemy.
/. American Troops Engaged,
The most positive addition to the |
news OF The day was the brief line
rom correspondent at Tientsin
= 'stlhg mat the Ninth and Fourteenth
infantry, Reilly's battery and the ma
zines were in the battle of Pietsanp.
NJ was this force which, with the
brand Japanese, bore the brunt of the
attack on the left flank, which was to
6urn the enemy's position. This plan
1ad already been made clear by Gen.
Chaffee's dispatch, although he did
not mention what American troops
would be engaged. In view of the par
acipation OF the American troops, the
var and navy departments are anx-
OuslY eXpectant of q rennrt Of thu