New-York tribune., 1900-08-02
EAGER FOR THE ADVANCE
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS ANXIOUS FOR
NEWS OF THE START TO PEKING.
NO POSSIBLE DANGER OF NEEDING CHI
NEsE THREATS AGAINST THE EXPEDI-
TIoN-DIsPATCHEs FROM AMER
ICAN OFFICERS.
TBT TELEGRAPH TO TIE raIBUxE.I

T.
Washington, Aug. 1.-Not much official inteIn-
gence that was made public was received here
before the close Of Office hours today, but re-
ports which could not be verified we're plentiful
The officials did not try 10 conceal their anxiety
TO know when the advance on Peking would
begin, and they were awaiting with eager i'm
patience the receipt OF dispatch from Major
General Chaffee which would settle that ques-
ton. Shortly after + o'clock this afternoon Ad-
jutant-GeneraI Corbin said that nothing had
been received from General Chanee since yes
terday. In that dispatch General Cbaffee in
dicated that he would not be able to forward a
report until to-day. If he did so, it may reach
here late tonight or tomorrow.
The press dispatches indicating that an ad-
vance was to begin to-day were read with in
terest and commented on by officials in a tone
which indicated belief that the reports were
at least premature An Army officer Of high
rank observed.
You must remember that military command
ers on the eve of a movement not only dc rot
advertise their plans. bur do their utmost to
conceal them Again, signs OF military activity
may be easily misinterpreted by a non-niIitary
observer. I suppose that such signs are some
what numerous and distinct at Taku and Tfen-
Tsin just now, but have no idea that anybody
on the ground except the military commanders
themselves knows when the advance is to begin.
OF course. If it has actually begun. that is an
other matter"
EVERY CONFIDENCE IN CHAFFEE.
1t appears pretty certain that down 10 a late
hour this afternoon the War Department had
not been advised by General Chaffee either that
the forward movement had begun or as to when
it probably would begin. It may be worth
while again to repeat that General Chaffee's in
structions are Of such a nature that he is not
expected to ask advice Of Washington as to
when he shall move, or as to any other matter
relating to the military situat' n and proposed
operations in North China Everything has
been left to his own military judgment and dis
cretion. General Chafee is a most enterprising
and energetic officer, and a comma nder whose
prudence and sagacity and excellent judgment
have been too often demonstrated to allow his
superiors 70 feel any rnisgtvings concerning his
action. His second in command, Colonel Dag
getJ, Of the 14th Infantry. closely resembles him
in solderly qualities and judgment, and he also
enjoys and commands the fullest confidence Of
the War Department. which feels that under
two such officers the United States forces in
China will prove equal to every occasion, and
viii firmly uphold and protect the honor and
dignity of the Nation General Chaffee's OBJ
jective point is Peking, and the rescue and pro-
lection Of the United States Minister and other
American citizens there, and he viii not for
instant lose sight of il or neglect any oppor-
runity means 70 attain IT.
The fears which have found lodgrneut N some
quarters that the advance Of the international
forces on Peking will be the signal for the mas
sacre of Minister Conger and the other foreign
ers do not appear 10 be shared by the high Off
cials Of the Government here as they GER
tainly are not shared by Minister Conger and his
diplomatic associates in Peking who are urg-
ing a speedy advance It may be remembered
that dire forebodings were expressed in the
same quarters that are now agitated by fears
few weeks ago of the fate that would befall the
Ministers and other foreigners if the native city
Of Tien-Tsin should be assaulted and occupied
by the International forces. Well. Tien-Tsin
was carried by assault and occupied by these
forces, and within forty-eight hours afterward
the Chinese forces which had been bombarding
the foreign legations in Peking for month or
more suddenly ceased, after proposing truce,
which agreed TO by che Ministers.
TERMS LAID DOWN BY THE PRESIDENT.
The terms and conditions upon which Presi-
dent Mckinley agreed TO offer the good offices
of the United States in behalf OF China. with the
consent OF the other Powers were carefully
considered and framed They were duly trans
rnitted TO the Chinese Emperor. and so far as
the world knows he has not yet either accepted
or rejected them. II may be well 10 recall these
conditions in brief for the benefit OF those who
are now inclined 10 believe that the United
States is engaged in a game OF simple blur
with China The conditions were. first that the
Chinese Government should give public assur-
ance whether the foreign Ministers were alive,
and II so. in what condition; second. that it
should put the Ministers in Immediate and free
communication with their respective govern
ments and remove all danger to their lives and
property. and third, that the Imperial authoFi-
ties should place themselves in communication
with the relief expedition and cooperate with
IL for the liberation Of the legations, the pro-
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