Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-27
REASSUR|NC NEWS
The Chinese Minister
Hears From Pekin.
MEMBERS OF LEGATIONS SAFE
Arrangements Made to Escort
Them From Capital.
GEN. CHAFFEE LEAVES FOR TIE west
Will Sail for Nagasaki on the 9th
Proximo.
GEN. CHAFFEE LEAVES FOR TIE WEST
viii Sail for Nagasaki on the 9th
NINTH INFANTRY DEPARTS

The Chinese minister. Mr.. WI. came to
the relief of the news situation this morn
ing with a dispatch coming in a roundabout
way from Pekin. The minister's news ap-
pears to have been anticipated unofic!ally
so far as it relates 70 the departure of the
foreign ministers from Pekin.
The dispatch came from the tsung-li-
yamen at Pekin and IS dated the 10th. The
dispatch states that the foreign ministers
had before that date asked for permission
for the legation guards to enter the city,
which permission had been granted: that
they subsequently, asked that these guards
be reinforced, which the Chinese govern
ment was indisposed 10 permit. The dis
patch then goes TO state that the consul
general at Tien Tsin-supposed TO be the
French consul generai-had telegraphed to
the viceroy of Chih-Ii that the foreign ad-
miral had demanded the surrender Of the
Taku forts and that the foreign ministers
were shortly TO leave Pekin for Tien Tsin
with their guards.
The Importance Of this message lies in
the fact that It Is a week later in date
than any official dispatch which has reach
the line of communication on June IL. The
minister says the dispatch reached him
from Pekin via Sinan Flu, the capital city
of Shan Tung province. The minister Is
firmly convinced of the accuracy of the
statements contained in his message, and
he falt
over the better prospect for an easy ar
rangement of the trouble held out by the
assured safety Of the foreign ministers.
Secretary Hay was also inclined to credit
the dispatch and was pleased to find that
It was corroborated by the dispatch Of the
French consul general in Shan Tung to his
own government There were no other Of
ncial advices IN either the State or Navy
Departments.
The only other news event Of the morn
ing was the departure Of General Chaffee,
who had one final conference with Ad1utant
General Corbin, and then posted of for
San Francisco with soldierly exactness al
lowing himself Just one hour to cover in.
terruptions in his schedule between WASH
ington and the army transport at San
Francisco.
NJ Cambon, the French ambassador. CALL
ed at the State Department just in advance
Of the Chinese minister, but he had no ad-
vices from his own government respecting
the Chinese situation
Blamed by Minister WI.
Tho demand for the immediate surrender
Of the Taku forts to the foreign admirals.
Mr.. WI believed, was what had started the
trouble He said il was most extraordt-
nary and arbitrary proceeding. and one
which the Chinese were not likely to take
to kindly.
Suppose there was riot in Washing
pon.'' said Mr.. WI. "and the foreign minis
Gers should demand the surrender 10 for
eign fleet OF the fort.fications comprising
the key TO the city. That would certainly
seem remarkable to you, would It not! Our
people may not think in all things like other
peoples. but we can reason"
Mr.. WI said he found the principal source
OF anxiety over the situation in this appar-
ent spirit Of aggression upon the part of
foreigners. He did not anticipate trouble
in central China If foreign troops are KEEP,
cut. He said that the viceroy of Nan Kin
men, able to cope with the situation II the
people are not unnecessarily alarmed and
harassed by the presence of foreign troops
or gunbOats.
Departure of Gen. ChaRee.
Brigadier General Chaffee and his aid.
Lieut. Parker, left here this morning at
1910 o'clock for San Francisco, with the
expectation of reaching that city Sunday
afternoon at o'clock and boarding the
transport Grant an hour later General
Chaffee made an early visit to the War De-
partnent this morning and spent about an
hour with General Corbin completing ar
rangements for the execution of his new
orders. His orders. which are signed by
Acting Secretary Mcikle1oEn. Were hand
ed 10 him last evening. They direct him TO
take command of the American military
forces ordered TO China and to proceed at
once to Pekin by way of San Francisco
and Taku.
General Chaffee was serenaded at the
Arlington Hotel last evening by the I'd
Cavalry Band ar Fort Myer. He was lieu
tenant colonel with that regiment before
the war with Spain, and was very popular
with the men.
The assignment of a brigadier general of
volunteers, which La General Chaffee .