The age-herald., 1900-08-27
Trouble Thought to be Between
 Shanghai and Che Foo.
CHINESE MAY MAKE REAR ATTACK
It is Possible That the Allies Are Re- sieged in Pekin, and This May Account for Lack ofNews
 from Gen. Chaffee

Washington, Aug. 26-Russia, Germany and Japan have not declared war upon Chi- na either separately or in concert This statement Is made upon authority of the highest character.
 What those nations may do within the next forty-eight hours, or within the next fortnight, is & question which no one in Washington Is prepared to answer.
 brief dispatch from Che Foo conveying rumor current there that Russia, Ger. many and Japan had joined in a declara- ton of war upon China is not taken se- rously in either official or diplomatic cir- cles
 From no official source has the war de- pertinent learned of the departure of forty American from Pekin for Tien Tsin, as re- ported in a special dispatch to a London newspaper under date of August 19. Ad- vices from General Chaffee are expected hourly as the military telegraph line be- twen T1en Tsin and Pekin, which has been interrupted presumably is being or has been repaired Imperative instructions were sent yesterday to the commander of the United States forces at Tien Tsn to have the hne restored at once under the pro- lection of cavalry detachment suspicion exists here that the delay in messages both from and to Washington Is rather between Che Foo and Shanghai than between Tien Tsin and Pekin From Che Foo to Shanghai the telegraph line is in control of the Chinese authorities and it Is suspected they are not so prompt In tho transmission of messages as they might be-
 Latest Authentic Information
 A dispatch received at the Japanese lega- tion from the foreign office of Japan con- veys the latest and most authentic infor- nation of the situation in and around Pe- kin. In a measure the advices were of dis quieting nature, as they indicated that the Chinese had rallied their forces and were preparing for an attack upon the allies In Pekin. If 1t should prove that the allied forces were beseiged sn Pekin. 1t would ac- count for the lack of advices from General Chaffee. As made public by Minister Ta- kahira, the dispatch from the Japanese for- eign office at Tokio is as follows; An official telegram, dated Pekin Au- gust IS. was received at Tokio from Gen. eral Yamaguchi, commander of the Japan ese forces, to the following effect: The capital Is now enteirely cleared of the enemy A cavalry regiment which had been sent to Wan Shau Shan (where the Empress Dowager's palace is located) re- ports that the Imperial family who had left Pekin August IA, started, after a short rest at Wan Shau Shan, for the West, and were under the escort of General Ma and his troops, consisting of only about 300 horsemen and twenty carts. The Japanese forces occupied the trasury department In which over two million taels in silver and a large quantity of rice was found." Another telegraphic dispatch form Taku states that as the Chinese troops and Boxers, who had gathered at Nan Yuen, were about to attack the foreign forces at Pekin, Japanese and Russian cavalry were expected to encounter them on the 9Oth The dispatch further states that Chinese infantry, some 5000 strong, with fifteen guns, are advancing forward from Shan Tung to make rear attack upon the allies.
 Not Regarded Seriously
 While the news of possible rear attack upon the comparatively small force of the allies was not received with surprise, it generally was not regarded as serious as the foreign forces are believed to be abundantly able to take care of themselves against any force of Chinese likely to be sent against them.
 The rumor of a declaration of war by Russia may have grown out of the opera tions of Russian troops in the protection of the southeastern frontier of the Em- pire; or 1t may have arisen from the ported statement of the commander of the Russian forces at Pekin that his govern ment was at war with China and there- fore, he must prohibit communication with the Chinese Neither the operations of Russia on her frontier, nor the prohibition by a Russian General of communication with the Chinese, would constitute, 1t is said, declaration of war by Russia No General, by mere dictum, could declare war. A declaration of war is perfectly distinct and obvious proceeding In this country a declaration of war may be made only by Congress.
 Only once in the present century has such a declaration been made, namely in 1872 against Great Britain. War may ex- ist actually between the United States and another country, as was the case between this country and Mexico. without action by Congress. The Mexican war had pro- gressed fourteen months before action was taken by Congress Troops of the United
 Scontinued on sscond PaSs,S