Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-23

Washington, Aug. 19.-The govern
ment is now fully satisfied that the in
ternational troops have entered Pekin
and that the legations are saved, and
is calmly awaiting detailed statements
from it's own officers on the grounds.
Dispatches received yesterday repeat
the main facts of the capture and re-
lief. Neither Gen. Chaffee nor Admi-
raj Remey have been heard from, how
ever, and it is to them, particularly the
former that the government looks to
for advices not only on what has OC-
Cured, but on the local developments
from which an intelligent termination
can be made of what still remains to
be done. The president, Secretary Root,
Acting Secretary of State Adee, Acting
Secretary Of the Navy Hackett and 9TH
er officials we're in conference during
the afternoon. 1t was understood the +
conference had to do particularly with |
the situation in Shanghai. Word had |
reached the navy department during
the afternoon that the cruiser New Or
leans had reached Shanghai, at which |
point the British Warships and trans
ports were already in force, while the
French. Russians and Germans are
hurrying their men to the same desti-
nation.
The American government has SO
far kept out of this ENHANCEMENT, and
in view of the reported landing of
troops by some of the powers, it was
stated authoritatively that the land
ing of American troops had never
been contemplated. Although the Of
ficials declined to give out any spe-
cific information it was understood
generally that the government was in
possession of word that the landing Of
British forces occurred yesterday, and
that it was probable this would De fol-
lowed by the landing of the German
and French forces The general stu
alton at Shanghai, caused by the pro-
posed landing of British troops and
the prospects of Germany and France,
continues to be strained although au-
thorities appear more hopeful of a sat
isfactoTy adjustment than heretofore.
The state department does not treat
the matter as at all grave, and regards
it rather as a misunderstanding one
side holding that British activity is
confined to Shanghai, while the other
insists that this activity is designed to
cover the whole Yang Use region. One
of the diplomatic officials who has been
most active in the affair, said yester-
day that in any event there could be no
serious rupture, for even if the troops
were landed it would increase security
and order.
The dispatch from Gen. Yamaguchi,
in command of the fifth army corps,
and regarded as one of the fighting
generals of the Japanese army, dis
closes for the first time that the Amel-
leans shared in the assault on Pekin
and that they marched with the Brit
ish troops to the south gate, while the
Japanese and Russians operated
against the east gate. What was most
noticeable in the Japanese report was
that the Japanese loss was given as
100, and the Chinese killed at 400. This
makes no account of the wounded, and
indicates that when the detailed CAS-
ualty list is received it will be a heavy
one. This is the first intimation that
there have been losses other than those
sustained by the Japanese. The entire
tenor of the report indicates that the
engagement was a fierce one, lasting
throughout the 18th, and as the at
tack began early in the morning, the
blowing up of the gates did not occur
until nightfall.
Even with the Chinese capital occu-
pied by the allied forces, it is realized
that there is still serious business for
forces inside the city. While they
have reached the outer walls, which
encircled the entire city, yet there are
walls within the walls, and it remains
to be seen whether an attempt will be
made to enter the imperial city, form
ing a distinct section of Pekin proper
The interior walls are comparatively
light, however. not being above twenty
feet high, and military authorities say
they cannot withstand even light ar
tillery. Aside from the question of the
withdrawal Of the troops from China.
there is the further question of the !
withdrawal of the troops from Pekln. |
Both these questions are for the pres
ent in allowance, pending definite news
from Ch2ffee and Conger. Certainly |
there can be no immediate withdrawal |
from Pekin. The government is vet
to learn what plans will be devised for |
escorting the legationers and several |
thousand native christians to the !
coast.
WI Gets Word.
Washington, Aug. 19.-Wu, Chinese
minister, last night received an official
cablegram announcing the entry of the
allied forces into Pekin the night of
the 18th. 1t was sent by Ii Hung
Chang and transmitted to WI by the !
Chinese minister at London. The next
dispatch was not given out but it was
explained the message was simple
announcement from the Chinese gov
eminent conirmatory of other advices
reporting the fall of the Chinese cap
ital.