The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-08-09
CANT ENTER PEkNG
Ii Hung Chang Makes Positive
Announcement.

allowed to enter the capital, and stat
| ing that settlement could be made
! a, 81 ielltsil,s whereby n war OF tne
world against China would be averted,
but even the optimistic Ii failed to
hold out the slightest hope of its
feasibility, although he reiterated to
Mr. Morgan's agent his declaration
that the ministers had left Peking.
fixing the date of their departure as
August 2. The agent makes this COM
ment: ''The consuls are without con-
firmation."
Germany Approves.
Berlin, Aug. s.--The United States
embassy in Berlin has informed the
German foreign Office that the Amer
lean government desires, under all
conditions, that the Yangtse-Kiang be
left open for American trade, and that
Washington will also oppose all
schemes for the division of China. no
matter from what power they may
proceed 1t is understood that this
attitude is fully approved by the Ger
man government, since IL comedies
with the wishes of Germany.
Chinese Version.
London, Aug. s.-A special dispatch
rom Shanghai, dated Tuesday, says:
'Tt is reported that heavy lighting took
place last Sunday east OF Peitsang. the all
lies losing 400 OF whom 65 were British. The
japanese artillery did splendid service in
the face of a calling Chinese cross fire, I'M
der which they lost heavily. The Chinese
were forced TO retreat, but saved their guns.
Their rear guard was attacked and practi-
cally decimated."
Tells OF Intended Fight.
Washington, Aug. s.-The war de-
partment has received the following
eablegram from Gen. Chaffee:
''Chefoo. Aug. T. = Adjutant General
Washington: Tientsin Sd, conference to-
day decided battle Sunday. Chinese in.
trenched east and west through Peltsang
Left of Chinese protected by flooded
ground practically unassailable. japanese
English, American forces about 10000
strong attacked Chinese right west OF
river in flank. Other forces Russian
French about 4 ana strong, opposite side be-
tween river and railroad.
Chinese position apparently strong
Army reported 10000 between Pebang and
Yang Tsun or crossing Of road over Pei Ho
Yang Tsun objective. Our force 1000 and
battery Conemaugh arrived. Sixth cav
airy left (at TientsiI) for guard of city
and awaiting mounts. Ministers safe on
18th OF July. ''CHAFFEE.'
Confirms story OF Battle.
The dispatch of Gen. Chaffee, written
before the battle of Sunday, confirms
the dispatches received at the navy de-
partment Monday, and also the press
dispatches received Tuesday concern
ing the attack on the Chinese at
Peitsang. Gen. Chaffee's dispatch,
dated Friday, was not sent from Che
foo until Tuesday, an inexplicable de-
lay. The most interesting feature of
the dispatch is the information regard
ing the positions of the Chinese army,
and the fact that the advance upon Pc
king is made by two columns, one on
each side of the Pei river.
Only $4,000 Men.
The international force, as given by
Gen. Chaffee, would aggregate about
14,9O0 men. while the other dispatches
say 10000, but this difference can easily
be accounted for, as more men might
have been available when the move
ment began than when the conference
WAS held on the Sd instant. This con
ference is supposed 10 have been be-
tween the several commanders present
at Tieutsin. 1t is evident that the for
eign commanders do not underesti-
mate the task which they have before
them, as the dispatch shows that a
thorough reconnaissance of the Chinese
position had been made and that even
before the advance of the international
force from Tientsin the commanders
were in position of full information
relative to the Chinese position. This
is one Of the most welcome features of
the dispatch. as it proves conclusively
that ihe international column did not
blunder upon an intrenched position Of
the enemy
American Troops Engaged.
The most positive addition to the
news of the day was the brief line
from a correspondent at Tientsin
stating that the Ninth and Fourteenth
infantry, Reilly's battery and the ma.
rines were in the battle of Pietsang.
1t was this force which, with the
brand Japanese, bore the brunt of the
attack on the left flank, which was to
turn the enemy's position. This plan
had already been made clear by Gen.
Chaffee's dispatch, although he did
not mention what American troops
would be engaged. In view of the par
tieipation o. the American troops, the
war and navy departments are anx-
iously expectant of a report of the
part taken by our troops and Of any
losses which the Americans may have
sustained.