Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-20
WITHIN PEKIN.
The Allies Are Bonn
harding Inner City.
Empress Dowager Prevented
from Leaving the Capital.
Americans Have But Eight
Wounded in Taking City.
Anxiety as to Outcome Of Present
Resistance by Chinese.
Legationers Are Well and Glad to
See the Allied Army.
MIR. WI Believes Emperor and EN-
Legatoners Are Well and Glad to
See the Allied Army.
MIR. WI Believes Emperor and EN-
press Dowager Have Left Pekin.

WASHINGTON. Aug 19-From Gen.
Chaffce today, the war department re
ceived official confirmation Of the fall
Of Pokin and the rescue of the be
sicged IcGationeys.
Tho dispatch of the American COM
mander was not long and contained
few details. but the unconcealed salts
faction with which it was received by
officials Of the administration Indicated
clearly the anxiety that had been en-
gcniered by his prolonged silence. His
last communication to the government
prior to the receipt of today's cable,
was August II. at Matow. almost 80
miles from Pekin. The explanation Of
his silence is suggested in advices re-
ceivcd by the navy department. today,
from Admiral Rcmey, who. telegraph
ing from Taku, on the 18th, says the
telegraph line between that point and
Pekin is interrupted.
The cablegram from Admiral Rcmcy
contains some important information
not mentioned by Gen. Chaffee. He
makes the startling statement. on
Japanese authority that the inner city
of Pekin was being bombarded by the
allied forces. Admiral Remey says.
also. that the Dowager Empress is
detained in the inner city by Prince
Yungedo.
Advices received. late last night, from
the foreign office at Toxic. Japan. by
the Japanese legation in this city. con-
firm and amplify previous accounts of
the capture of Pellin by the allied
troops.
Following is the text of the dispatch
from Gen. Chaffee. as made public by
the war department:
che Foo, Aug. i9.-Adjutant General.
Washington. Pekin. Aug. 1--WE en-
tered legations grounds, at ) o'clock last
night, with 14th and light battery.
Eight wounded during days fighting:
otherwise all well. (Signed) Chaffee."
The dispatch, which was received.
during the morning, was transmitted
Immediately to the President at the
White House. He expressed his graft
fication at the news it contained par
ticularly at the small loss sustained
by the American troops. A copy Of the
dispatch likewise was sent to Adjutant
General Corbin, who is in New York.
1t will be noted that the dispatch
indicates that the American troops en-
tered the legation grounds at O'Clock
in the evening of the 18th instant. BY
the Washington officials and by the
several legation officials to whom IL
was shown, the date of Gen Chaffee's
communication is regarded as an error
of transmission. 1t was believed that
the word 18th" should be 18th" All
previous advices official and unofficial.
have indicated that the legations were
relieved on the evening of the 18th.
Wednesday, after a day of sharp fight
ing.
Minister WI. the Chinese representa-
tive, and Mr.. Takahra of Japan. were
quite positive on this point all their
official advices being that entrance to
the city Of Pekin was affected early
in the evening of Wednesday, the 18th.
The fact that only the 18th Infantry
and Riley's Battery entered the city,
as shown by Gen. Chaffee's dispatch.
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