Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-26
Gen. Chaffee Ordered to Reduce
American Force in China.
ON. A LEGATION GUARD. "
The Remainder of the Force to Report to
General Macarthur at Manila for Duty
in tho Philippines Reported Adhesion
of British Government to Our Position
Russians Said to Have Again Repulsed
the chinoso-Rumor That Manchuria
Had Been Annexed to Russia.
tBy Telegraph to virglnion ,,,ot,

lBy Telegraph to Virginan- Pilot)
Washington. Sept. 25.-The United
states Government to-day took the
iirst step towards the redemption or
It's pledge made to the Russian Co.
eminent August 2Sth last by cal
an instruction TO General .Chn!ie.
reduce the American forces in O..
to the proportions Of legation qua.
Nearly a month ago the Russian Go,
eminent was told through NJ. de Vol
liant. Its charge here. that if the Rus
sian forces and Ministry were with-
drawn from Pekin, 1--WE shall give in
structions to the commander OF the
American forces in China to withdraw
our forces from Pekin. after due con-
ference with the other commanders as
to the time and manner of with
drawal" That time has now come,
and to-day's action marks the begin
ning or the disappearance of the
american army from China, for, al
though some military force is to re-
main, 1t will not be OF the character
OF army, but under the conditions laid
down in the order to General Chaffee,
and especially uhder it's official desig-
nation as Legation guard" will be
rather OF the nature OF n 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 droc-
ton of Field Marshal Count Won vel
dersee, the COMMUNICATIVE Chief.
THE ORDER.
The text of the order to General
Chaffee is as follows:
AdJutant Generals Department
Washington, ID. c., Sept. rs.
TO General Chaffee. Pekin:
Sept. 25th.. No. Al. Pending nego-
tiations for n settlement, the Secretary
t,Nt Iatr, i.Ny, 4
regiment of infantry. four troops or
cavalry, with rapid fire guns and light
battery, with complete equipment and
reserve supply of ammunition adequate
Tor any emergency. he retained in Pe-
kin under your command, and that you
send the remainder of your force In
China TO Manila to report to NlacAa-
thur. The guard should be amply pro-
visioned, etc, until navigation opens
next spring. Retain such officers for
staff duties as you deem necessary; all
others of whatever corps or department
will be sent to Macarthur for duty as
soon as possible. All stores, transport
tations and materials not required for
the legation guard sent to Manila
Place yourself in close relations with
our minister, acting with him on the
lines that Will best subserve our inter-
ests, keeping this department fully adj
vised. 1t is important that you have
the confidence of the generals of the
other Powers. General Wilson, with
his aides, will remain in Pekin for the
present. Special instructions may be
sent to him. Gable Macarthur con-
corning requirements to carry these
instructions into effect. Inform gen.
erals commanding forces of other Pow
crs of our intention to withdraw part of
our forces. Show this to Conger.
by order of Lieutenant General
Miles. CORBIN.
QUITE SUFFICIENT.
hoe civ IN n
proper number of troops to be allot-
ted for this purpose, and 1t is believed
that the fourteen hundred men select
ed will be quite sufficient to protect
the American legation against any
force that could be brought against it.
1t is noteworthy too, that the most
complete arrangements have been Or
dered for the maintenance of the men,
while care has been taken that there
shall not be a shortage of ammuni-
ton, as there was in the British lega-
ton during the siege. / is estimated
that about week will be required to
bring the $500 soldiers away from
Pekin, but as the start cannot be made
Immediately 1t will be at least about
the end of the first week in October
before the movement can be completed.
TRANSPORTATION.
1t is stated at the Quartermaster's
Department that there are enough
!orce, which will come out of China.
Three or four vessels will be at icku
by the time the troops are ready to
move. Besides the transports for the
men q number of animal ships will
fake away, the horses and mules, which
will not be needed in China. General
Chaffee is authorized to take from the
ships now at Taku such stores as will
be necessary TO last him through. the
winter.
NOTHING NEW.
There were no developments in the
diplomatic side Of the Chinese ques-
ton to-day, and although Baron stern
berg, the German charge, and Minister
Wu called separately at the State De-
rartment. they brought no communica-
- which were made pubic.>>
ssNTISFIED WITH ENGLAND.
reported adhesion of the British
.nment to the position assumed by
United States Government respect
nc proposition to make the sur
or OF the Chinese ringIeaders
Zion precedent to negotiations
ciVen the greatest satisfaction IN
,cinl circles here.
ANOTHER RUSSIAN VICTORY.
ST. Petersburg. Sept. 25.--The War
O.Iice announces that General Sacha-
rofT. The chief of the Russian general
staff. captured Chu Ian Chen, near the
sungari river. September II, putting to
fight 5000 Chinese. 1t is added that
the Russians sustained no casualties.
The Sungari Cor Soongaree) river of
Manchurin rises near the frontier of
Corea. flows north and northeast, and
joins the Amur Cor Saghlalin) river 1876
Osooree.
REPORT NOT CONFIRMED.
washington, D. c., Sept. 25.-No no.
&ce has reached our government from