The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-20

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the landing of German and French
forces. AS a result of the conferences
held today it is believed that despatch
was forwarded to the commander of the
New Orleans advising him of the course
to be pursued. The general situation at
Shanghai, caused by the proposed land
ing of British troops and the protests OF
Germany and France, continues to be
strained, although the authorities are
rather more hopeful of satisfactory ad-
justment than heretofore. The State De-
Dartme Mt does not treat the matter as at
all grave and regards it rather as a mis-
understanding. one side holding that
British activity is confined to Shanghai
while the other insists that this activity
is designed to cover the whole Yang Use
region. 1t seems to be accepted that if the
British troops land, German and Trench
and possibly Russian troops also will
land About HOO French troops have ar
rived at Hong Kong destined for Shang-
hal and German ships are now on their
way to the same point.
The German, French and Russian
charges d'affaires called separately at the
State Department To-Day. The situation
was discuss ed but no important changes
developed.
The general policy Of the government
toward China heretofore has been made
known both to General Chaffee and to
Minister Conger and 1t was stated au-
thoritatively tonight that there was no
L.,
tional instruction on the subject.
The espatch from General Yamaguchi
giving the details of the capture of Pc
kin was accepted by the War Depart =
ment officials as giving the most salts
factory account thus far received. Gen
eral Yamaguchi is in command of the
fifth army corps with the rank Of Major
General and is regarded as one OF the
fighting generals Of the Japanese army
His report discloses for the first time
that the Americans shared in the assault
on the city and that they marched with
the British troops to the south gate while
the Japanese and Russians operated
against the east gate What was more
noticeable in the Japanese report was
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and the Chinese killed at 400. This
makes no account OF the wounded and
indicates that when the detailed casualty
list is received it win be very heavy
one as the wounded always far exceed the
killed. Furthermore the report states
that the loss OF the allies had been ascer
tanned. This is the first intimation tina t
4E,cuo xzvoro foccoc Ofko7 thow &horo c15c.
tanned by the Japanese. The entire ten
or Of the report indicates that the engage
ment was a fierce one, lasting through
out the day of August Is, as the attack
began early in the morning and the
blowing up of the gates did not occur I'M
til njghtfaIl.
Even with the Chinese capital occupied
by the allied forces, it is realized that
there is still serious business for the
forces inside the city. While they have
preached the outer walls which encircIe
the city, yet there are walls within walls,
and it remains to be seen whether an at
tempt viii be made to enter the imperia
city forming a distinct section of Pekin
proper. The inner walls are comparative
ly light, however, not being above TWEEN
ty feet high, and the military authorities
say they cannot withstand even light ar
tiIlery, If there was any disposition to
breach them. Moreover, as the allied
troops have preached the great outer
wall, fifty feet high and far more formid-
able than the inner walls, they would
have comparatively little difficulty in
moving where the commanders desired
Inside the city.
Aside from the question of the with
drawal of the troops from China. there is
the further question of the withdrawal
of the troops from Pekin. Both OF these
questions ara for the present in abey
ance, pending definite news from Gener-
al Chaffee and Minister Conger. Certain
ly there can be no immediate Withdrawal
from Pekin and the government is yet to
learn what plans will be devised for es-
cort1ng the Iegationers and the several
thousand native Christians to the coast.
LOOKING TO SHANGHAI.
London, August Whatever of inter
est might attach to the events reported
in the nights dispatches is destroyed by
the capture of Pekin, as most of the mes
sages relats to matters preceding and
eading up to the capture of the Chinese
capital.
Gen. Linevitch, commander Of the Rus
sian troops in Pc Chi Lii, reports to ST.
Petersburg that on August 10, the Chinese
intended to give battle at Chon Che
Sin, where were concentrated so bat
talions of the best Manchu troops, COM
manded by Gen. lung FUN Slang, but
that. losing courage, they reiterated hur-
riedIy, not waiting for an attack to be
made.
The eyes OF the world, which have been
fixed hitherto on Pekin, are turning to
Shanghai where an imbroglio resulting
from the jealousy and suspicion OF the
powers Will possibly shortly assume a
serious aspect. The British landed Gurkas
and Bombay reoimBnts on Friday and