The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-20
CHAFFEE ENTERS LEGATION G

WASHINGTON Aug. 1e.-From Gen.
Charee today the war department re-
reived official confirmation of the fall Of
Peking and the rescue of the besieged le-
gationers.
The dispatch Of the American command
er was not long and contained but few
details. but the unconceaied satisfaction
with which II was received by officials OF
the administration indicated clearly the
anxiety that had been engendered by his
prolonged silence. His last communica-
tion to the government prior To the re-
ceipt OF today's advices was dated Au-
gust H. at Matow. about thirty miles from
Peking. The explanation OF his silence
Is suggested In advices received by the
navy department today from Admiral Re-
mey. who teiegraphs from THku on the
18th. saying the telegraph line between
that point and Peking is interrupted
Bombarding Inner City.
The cableerain from Admiral Remey
contains some important information not
mentioned by Gen. Chaffee. He makes
the startling statement, on Japanese au-
thority that the inner city Of Peiing was
being bombarded by the allied forces. A.
miral Remy says also that the dowager
empress is detained in the inner city by
Prince Yungedo.
Advices received last night from the
foreign office OF Tokyo, Japan, by the
japanese legation in this city. confirm
and amplify previous accounts OF the
capture OF Peking by the allied troops.
Gen. Chafee's dispatch which was re-
ceived during the morning. was trans
mitted Immediately 70 the president. al the
White House He expressed his Eratifi-
cation at the news contained. particularly
NJ the small loss sustained by the Ameri-
can troops
Mistake In Date.
II will he noted that the dispatch Indi-
Gates that the American troops entered
the legation grounds at 5 o'clock on the
evening OF the 18th snst. by the Washing
ton oficiais and by several legation otr-
clals 20 whom II was shown the date OF
Cen. ChaYee's communication is regarded
as an error Of transmission. II Is believed
that the word fifteenth should be six
teenth"
An previous aavices. eficial and unof-
ficiai. have Indicated that the legations
we're relieved on the evening Of the NJ
teenth. Wednesday. after a aay of sharp
nghting Minister Wa, the Chinese rep
resensatlve. and Minister Takahira. of
Japan. we're quite positive on this point.
ali their Official advlccs hcing that the
entrance 10 the city ~ peklug were ef-
fsctea early IN the evening ~ Wednesday.
the 18th inst.
Force Was Divided.
The fact that only the Four
teensh Infantry and Riey's battery
entered tho city. as shown BY Gen
tshanee's dispatch doss not tnsii-
cate that the Siaih infantrv and the
marines. who we're 20 rossplrgoa~ly sal
iant throughout the advance upon ths
earatai. aid not participate In the engage
ruent which resulted directly in ;he res
cue ~ the bes'exsa ieEstlonsrs Il IS
pointed out aA likely that Gen Charae.
acting in eonsonanee with tho other car-
rnanders. divided his force ieaving TIE
Ninfh Infantry and shs marines aithoaf
the walls ~ tho city te act ss a rear
guard go prevent the escape af tse Chi
ness troops ~ other gates than those
through which the ailses entered. Or far
some other excellent reason
only two naitalIous ~ the Fourteenth
rersr,rut are With Gel. Cnawee. Those
comprise about 40 men. This vyoula in
aieate that only ah0ut one-thir3 ~ Gen
Chanee's force actually had entered the
.lts At The tine ne sent his dispatch. The
fact that only s3ght ~ tbe American
farce were wounded none being killed. is
regarded as notably fortunate.
whereaheut. of the Empress
Admiral Rerneys dispatch. which con-
talns much interesting Information in a
few words - as fellows;
The startling feature % the dispatch Is
that fighting within the city % Picking
was continuing. according 20 the advises
Of Admiral Remsy. The inner, or. ss
Il is popalarly known. the FORBID