The age-herald., 1900-09-26
Soldiers Will be Sent to the
 Philippines.
ARRANGEMENTS ALREADY BEGUN
Negotiations for Settlement With China Will be Carried Forward-Rumor- ed Appointment of Prince
 Yuan Not Confirmed

Washington, September 25.-The United States government today took the first steps toward the redemption of its pledge made to the Russian government August 2o last by cablegram instructions to Gen eral Chaffee to reduce the American forces in China to the proportion of a legation guard
 Nearly month ago the Russian govern ment was told through M. de Wollent, it's charge here, that if the Russian forces and ministers were withdrawn from Pekin we shall give instructions to the commander of the American forces in China to with draw our forces from Pekin after due con- ference with the other commanders as to the time and manner of withdrawal" That time has now come, and the diplomatic action marks the beginning of the disap- pearance of the American army from China, for, although some military is to rt- main, it will not be of the character of an army, but under the conditions laid down In the order to General Chaffee and espe- cially under its official designation as "le- gation guard" will be rather of the nature of civil guard This small force will not be included in any military operations which may be conducted by the allied armies and so will not fall subject to the direction of Field Marshal Count von Wal dersee, the commander-in-chief
 Much thought has been given to the proper number of troops to be allotted for this purpose, and 1t is believed that the 14Oo men selected will be quite sufficient to protect the American legation against any force that could be brought against it.
 Arranging to hvaouate
 It is noteworthy, too, that the most com- plete arrangements have been ordered for the maintenance of the men, while care has been taken that there shall not be q shortage of ammunition, as there was ir the British legation during the siege Ii Is estimated that about a week will be re. quired to bring the $500 soldiers away from Pekin, but as the start cannot be made immediately, it will be at least about the end of the first week in October before a movement can be completed.
 It is statd at the Quartermasters De- pertinent that there are enough transports available to bring off the forces which will come out of China. Three or four vessels will be at Taku by the time the troops are ready to move. Besides this, a number oi animal ships will take away the horses and mules which will not be needed ir China. General Chaffee Is authorized tc take from the ships now at Taku such stores as will be necessary to last hin through the winter.
 It Is settled that Minister Conger Is tc be a member of the commission to settle the various questions remaining to be ad justed
 The reported adhesion of the British government to the position assumed by the United States government respecting tho proposition to make the surrender of the Chinese ringleaders a condition precedent to negotiations has given the greatest sat. isfaction in official circles here. The re. ports that Prince Yuan has been signally honored by the Chinese government have not yet been officially confirmed, although the authorities have received word of Chi nese rumors that some such action had been taken.
 Report Not Credited
 "The matter was referred to today in the talk between Acting Secretary Hill and Minister Wu, and the latter stated that he did not credit the report, for the reason