New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-10
NAY MOVE TO SHANGHAI.
UNITED STA T'ES LEGA TON TO
LEA We PE'KJNG.
MAIN AMERICAN FORCE WILL PROB
ABLY BE WITHDRAWN-TRANS-
PORT PREPARED.
rsr TELEGRAPH TO -aE TRIBUNE


Washington Sept. 9-JTnless Minister Conger,
in reply to questions sent by cable TO him nearly
week ago by direction Of the President gives
better reasons than are now conceived here for
his continuance az Picking he will he instructed
20 remove the American Legation without delay
70 Shanghai. General Chaffee's troops will
escort the Minister and Legation to Taku, and
Admiral Remey will take them the Brooklyn
10 the Chinese metropolis. making that port the
meeting place for his fleet The main American
military force will probably not remain on Chi
nese territory after October I, and its with
drawal from Picking may be matter of less
than ten days
General Chaffee has already informed the War
Department of his readiness 70 leave Picking at
s days notice while he is fully prepared IL nee
essary. TO remain all winter The last investi-
cations on the subject We're sent TO him just
two weeks ago when three days before the
presentation IF the Russian note he was in
formed that transportatio arrangements would
be made to bring away his troops their mission
having been accomplished and he was TO make
such dispositions would facilitate prompt
withdrawal and to inform the Department to
the length OF time he should require between
the receipt of orders and embarking Taku.
Although not yet officially admitted, sufficient
marine transportation for the entire force is
under orders to assemble at Taku by Sep
tenber 20 and at least two steamers will be at
the mouth of the Pei-Ho to receive the first
troops next Saturday.
II is not expected by the authorities that Min
lister Conger will present any reasons to affect
the disposition OF this Government to have him
leave Picking temporarily and TO remove the
troops from Chinese soil. No conceivable adj
vantage occurs TO the Presidents advisers Of
maintaining the Legation in a city where there
are no Imperial officials with whom negotia-
tons can be conducted. and where IT is hardly
likely there will be any Improvement in this
respect for many months, while at Shanghai
there is constant intercourse with the rulers OF
four-ffths of the Empire. and perfect security
of person and property
As to the further maintenance Of General
Chaffee's forces in Pe-Ch-Li the authorities
here are satisfied that nothing whatever is
10 be gained and much. perhaps. to be risked or
lost 1t is fully agreed that the purposes for
which the troops were landed have been fully
accomplished. These, stated in the Hay
circular to the Powers were as follows:
To act concurrenty with the other Powers:
First in opening up communication with Peking
and rescuing the American officials missionaries
and other Americans who are in danger; second,
in affording all possible protection everywhere
in China to American life and property; third IN
guarding and protecting all legitimate American
interests. and, fourth. in aiding to prevent a
spread Of the disorders 10 the other provinces
u Empire dIlu d OF suCn us
8sters.
With the exception OF the last clause Of the
message, relating to the recurrence OF such dis
asters in the future. which the United States
could never undertake TO prevent by the con-
tinued establishment Of a part Of its Army, the
four purposes have been gained and there is not
to-day anywhere in Northern China within the
range of action Of General Chaffee's force any
American person interest to be protected, or
any Chinese authority TO be coerced into pro-
tecting Americans or indemnifying them for
losses On account Of the anarchy that has ex-
listed in this part Of China since last May, and
the consequent failure of crops and neglect to
store food at Picking for the coming winter 1t is
impracticabe improve these conditions for
many months. and expects that the
Chinese Court can under any circumstances be
re-esta blished at Picking within that period.
Under the circumstances the retention Of the
American Legation there is regarded as un-
necessary. and with the removal Of the Legation
nothing viii remain for the American troops to
protect