The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-27

Francisco July 10. 1t is expected that many
other retired officers will be called back to
active service if the emergency hscomes
pressing
CHAFFEE STARTS TO-DAY.
General Chaffee, who is staying at the
Arlington. given a serenade tonight
by the Third Cavalry Band, Of which regi-
ment he was lieutenant colonel before the
war with Spain. He said he would leave
for San Francisco tomorrow morning.
whence he is to sail on the Grant for
Japan and China. The only person ac-
companying him will be Lieutenant Har-
per. one of his aids. The two travel on
the Gran, simply as passengers. The ves-
sci also is to take two squadrons of the
Sixth Cavalry, which are intended for serv-
ice in the Philippines. but will be diverted
to China If the present condition of af-
fairs continues TO exist when the Grant
reaches Nagasakf. Ar- that place General
Chaffee will receive what further orders
the War Department may have for him. He
fully expects to go to Che-Foo, but as to
whether he will go further into China
or not he was not willing to say tonight
Much stress is laid by the officials on the
fact that the present alarming condition
in China may change materially before
General Chaffee reaches Nagasaki or Che
Foo or even before he arrives in San Fran
cisco preparatory to sailing for the Orient
For this reason the administration is not
willing to discuss the probabilities of an
increase from the military forces from
the United States In that country beyond
that already contemplated by orders here
tofore given. The Ninth Infantry already
has been directed to proceed TO China and
is probably now on its way there. Then
the vessel conveying the Sixth Cavalry,
which is soon to leave San Francisco is
to stop at Nagasaki, Japan, for orders. and
II the presence of more troops in China
is necessary when she arrives at Naga-
sah they will be sent direct to Che-Foo.
This will make two regiments for that
service. force hardly commensurate with
the rank of a major general of volunteers.
which General Chaffee now holds.
The assignment of the general to his
new duty inferentially carries with it
therefore the probability that there may be
more troops placed under his command.
General Corbin. however. stated emphat-
ically tonight that Notwithstanding pub
lished reports to the contrary, no addi-
tional details of regiments for China had
been ordered. His statement had specific
reference to the Fourth and the Twentieth
Regiments of Infantry, which 1t was
stated had been ordered to China, but the
general said that neither these nor any
other regiments had been ordered there. nor.
he added, in response to further question,
was the ordering of any further regiments
now in contemplation.
The situation in China Is being watched
closely by the officials here and their future
action will depend entirely upon develop
ments. If further troops are needed they
will be ordered promptly and force suf-
ficient to protect American interests will
be dispatched If occasion demands. General
Chaffee will be in command OF all the
American military forces in the Chinese
empire, but in view OF the fact that con-
oitions may change materially before he
arrives there is a reluctance In official
quarters TO indicate just what his powers
are. Should nothing be heard from Peking
before General Chaffee arrives at Che
Foo there seems no doubt but that he will
be directed to start for the beleaguered
city with the full force under his COM
| n.and. but IL is believed here that news
will be received from Peking before that
time.