The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-05
SITUATION YET CHAOTIC
Preparations at Washington For Win.
tering Troops in China.
AWFUL STORY OF BRUTALITY TO WOMEN
american Ladies Subjected to NameIess In
dlgnities, Tortured and Murdered. Dis @
patch From Chaffee Says Opposition
to Allies is About at an End.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Sept. A very interesting
dispatch was received today at the War
Department from General Chaffee. 1t de-
soribed the military situation as eminent
ly satisfactory and would have been Of
greater value but for the omission, com
mon to all of the other official dispatches
from China, namely, the date line
However, taking into consideration the
fact that cablegram was received by the
State Department Today dated five days
ago from Mr.. Conger the conclusion was
reached that General Chaffees dispatch
also was sent from Pekin about August
29th or 30th 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 an
swer to the Russian evacuation PROPOSE
tion. But that answer, or rather a synop-
sis of 1t. was not cabled to General Chat
fee until the 3Oth ultimo, and it is assum-
ed that allowing for the same time in
tnansmittal as was consumed by General
Chaffee's dispatch received today, the
synopsis has just reached him. When the
American answer to the Russian proposal
was made public, it was stated here that
General Chaffee had been instructed some
time before by telegraph just what course
to pursuit. in the matter of retiring from
Pelon in the event of the emergency that
afterward arose. This being So today s
application for instructions might be re-
garded as an indication that he had not
received the original instructions when
he sent his message.
An official communication received here
through diplomatic channels makes the
rather surprising statement that Ii Hung
Chang is at present using all his efforts
to have one or more of the powers dissent
from Russia's proposition, believing that
a rupture of the allies will be of greater
advantage to China than any agreement
even on the favorable basis put forward
by Russia.
1t is stated that UP to the present less
than a majority of the powers interest
eu in China have responded to the Rus
sian proposal so far as our Government
is advised and our officials here agree
with the general tenor of the European
dispatches this morning in the conclusion
that final action on the part of all the
powers may not be had for several days
at least. Everyt hing now depends on the
action of Russia, the attitude of the other
nations being negative, and if she does
not hasten to carry out her announced
purpose to withdraw the troops, the other
governments probably will be content
chershing the hope that in the meantime
some kind of Chinese government can be
re-established in Pekn. with which the
powers may negotiate for final settle
ment.
LII Hung Chang's attempt to secure i'm
perial warrant for the institution of peace
negotiations through himself and the Chi
nese notables referred to in the European
dispatches, is regarded here as step in
the right direction, while on the other
hand some discuiet has been caused by
the report that the internationals in
Pekin have been arresting some of the
members of the Tsung LII Yamen, who
were seeking to open negotiations and re-
establish the government. There is nc
disposition here to condone the offenses
of any of these Chinese officials who may
have participated in the outrages in Pekin,
but it is questioned whether the present
is an Opoortune time to administer pun
ishment.