Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-09-05
REPORT FROM CHAFFEE,
Sheds Some Additional Light on the
situation In China.


situation In China.
Washington, Sept. 5.-A very inter
esting dispatch has been received at the
war department from General Chaffee.
1t described the military situation as
cminently satisfactory and would have
been of greater value but for the omis-
sion common to all of the other official
dispatches from China-namely, the date
line.
However, taking into consideration the
fact that cabegram was received by
the state department dated five days ago
from Mr.. Conger, the conclusion was
reached that General Chaffee's dispatch
also was sent from Peking about Aug.
30 or 80. General Chaffee asks a very
important question as to the withdrawal
of the American troops. The answer to
that question, it is said, might have been
found in the state departments answer
to the Russian evacuation proposition.
But that answer, or rather a synopsis of
it, was not cabled to General Chaffee un-
til the 30th ult, and it is assumed that,
allowing for the same time in transmittal
as was consumed by General Chaffees
dispatch received yesterday, the synopsis
has just reached him. When the Amer
made public, it was stated here that Gen
eral Chaffee had been instructed some
time before by telegraph just what course
to pursue in the matter of retiring from
Peking in the event of the emergency
that afterward arose This being so, this
application for instructions might be re-
garded as an indication that he had not
received the original instructions when
he sent his message.
Not Ordered to Leave Peking.
1t is stated that no order has been sent
to General Chaffee to leave Peking as the
result of any recent development. In fact,
it would seem that the war department
is not able to instruct him more specific
ally on this point until the decision of the
powers relative to general evacuation is
known. 1t was stated at the war depart
ment that our position was unchanged.
If Russia withdraws her troops, then
General Chaffee will do the same. Mean
while it is gathered that conditions are
still disordered and foreign life and prop
erty are still unsafe.
The dispatch received from Minister
Conger was gratifying to officials in that
it contained the date of Peking, Aug. 30,
as an integral part of the message and
this part cipher. Aside from bringing
the information up to a recent day it
satisfied the officials that the minister at
last had received the instructions to in
clude the place and date of each mes
sage as an integral part of it. This
promises to do away with the great con-
fusion caused thus far in datcless mes
snges.
The text of the Conger dispatch was
not made public, but it was authorita-
lively stated that it did not change the
situation and was devoted somewhat to
expressions of opinion. 1t was authori-
tatively stated in this connection that
Minister Conger will remain at his post
until further orders. Up to this time he
has expressed no wish to be relieved,
and the state department holds that since
he has passed through the pcrilous or
deal of the siege he is not likely to de-
sire n relief under the present more ia
vorable conditions.
Russia Not Yet withdrawn.
In view of the statement of Count
Lansdors. Russian minister of foreign af
fairs, in the Official Messenger that or
ders already had been issued to NJ. de
Giers and to the army to leave Picking
the statement was made at the state de-
partment that no such determination had
been communicated to Washington. Prob
ably nothing short of an official statement
from Picking to the effect that the Rus
slams have moved would he regarded by
our government as sufficient basis for
such important action as the withdrawal
of our troops.
In diplomatic quarters Russia's motive
continues to be a fruitful theme. The
theory advanced by NJ. BlowitZ in the
London Times that it was an offset to
France for Russia's supposed nomina-
ton of Count Waldersee is regarded as
purely fanciful. A much simpler and
more reasonable explanation is advanced
by one of the diplomatic ofiicias who has
taken an active part in the negotiations.
He says that Russia recognizes the OBJ
vious fact that it is to her advantage to
have a weak neighbor instead of having
a partition of China, which would range
a number of the powers alongside of Rus
sa. For this reason, it is said, Russia's
chief aim is to maintain the present ter
ritorial conditions.
The report that the Chinese minister
at St. Petersburg, Mr.. Yang Yu, was
obliged to give up his palatial residence
and seek cheap quarters because of the
lack of remittances from Peking is dis
posed of by Mr. 81, one of the Chinese
officials who has recently arrived here
from st. Petersburg. He says that Mr..
Yang Yu gave up his house because the