The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-18
DETAILS WILL FOLLOW
Pekin Captured on the Fifteenth.
Hot Fighting.
WAsHINGToN's LONG DAY OF SUSPENSE
Remey's Dispatch Did Not Arrive Until After
the Close Of the Departments, and the
Officials Feared to Credit the
Shanghai AdyiceS.
Shanghai Adyices.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, August 17.-The allied
armies have captured and entered
Pekin in the face of obstinate resist
ance and the members of the foreign
legations are safe. Official confrma-
ton of the fall of the Chinese capital
came to the United States Govern
ment tonight in the shape of two
cablegrams, one from Admiral Remey
and the other from Consul General
Fowler at Chez Foo. The cablegram
from Admiral Remey came to hand
first early in the evening, followed
very soon after by that of Consul Fow-
Ter, and the officials, realizing the
great public interest in the events
which it was believed had happened
in Pekin, at once made them public.
Admiral Remey's dispatch is as fol-
lows:
"Taku, August II, 1 a. M, Bureau Navi-
cation, Washington:
lust received telegram from Tien Tsin
dated 10th, 10 p. M:
'Pekin was captured on August 18th
Foreign Legations are safe. Details fol-
lew shortly.
(signed) REMEY.'" 4"
That from Consul Fowler, giving
important details of the concurrences
at the time of the capture of the city
was given out in the subioined Off
cial statement:
The Acting Secretary of State makes
public the following telegram received
this (Fniday) evening from the United
States Consul at Che Foo:
"Che Foo, August 17.-(Received 18th,
1856 p. m)-Secretary of State, Washing
ton. observation-disclosures admiral re-
ports allies attacked Pekin, east, 18th.
Obstinate resistance. Evening Japanese
entered capital with other forces. I'M
mediately surrounded legations In
mates safe. Japanese loss over 100. Chi
nese 300.
(SigneO FOWLER"
Previous information which has
been received here showed that the
allied armies took possession of Tung
Cilow on the 18th instant From that
city to Pekin the distance is not very
great, not more than a dozen miles.
1t seems evident therefore that the
armies halted for time at Tuno
chow probably for the purpose of Civ
ing the men a rest and to prepare for
the attack on the capital city in force
after waiting until the rear of the
advancing host should arrive at the
front. Possibly also the delay was the
result of negotiations inaugurated by
the Chinese officials, looking to the
delivery Cf the Ministers to the allies.
If negotiations were attempted
they must have failed as the army
continued on the march and attacked
the capital three days after reaching
Tung Chow.
The officials here were aware of the
fact that the strongholds of the Box
ers were in the Chinese city. and that
for the allies to attempt to force their
way through it into the Tartar city
In which the legation compounds are
located might mean great loss of life
and possibly a defeat 1t was also
known that the imperial trops which
have sided with the Boxers were
many of them in or near the Chinese
city and that much of the artillery and
rifle fire which has been poured into
the legation has been from the walls
separating the two cities. These facts
evidently were communicated to Gen
eral Chaffee and the other command
ing officers of the allies. Realizing
these obstacles, it appears the allies
decided to attack the city by the east
gate. There are four entrances to the
city on the east, two leading to the
Chinese city and two to the Tartar
city. just which of these was select
ed as the attacking point Consul Fow-
ler's dispatch does not disclose Con-
trary to the press reports of today
Consul Fowler's dispatch shows that
the attack on the city met with strong
resistance. The Japanese advance en-
gagged with the Chinese according to
the understanding of the officials
here, numbered 10000 men, so that
the loss suffered by them was over
one per cent No mention is made
of the losses of the forces of the other
armies, but it is presumed that it
was in proportion to that suffered by
the Japanese.
The President was overjoyed on
hearing the news Of the safety of
Minister Conger and his associates.
He has been hopeful all along that
their rescue from the perilous position
in which they have been for SO long
would be successfully accomplished
Tonight's news confirms that hope
and brings feeling of great relief
to him.
The President entertained num-