The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-24
Allies Are Making a Mistake.

dependence.
Allies Are Making a Mistake.
There is reason to fear that a serious
mistake is being made by the allies at
Tientsin, In not pushing on towards Pc
king. The Chinese army which con-
fronted them has been defeated and dis
persed, after putting up a resistance
which was a surprise to the civilized
world. The army at Tientsin was the
very flower of the new Chinese troops
drilled. disciplined. armed with the best
of modern weapons. and apparently led
by competent officers. The fight which
they put up is proof positive that they
were confident of their ability to with
stand successfully the European army.
Their defeat must have disheartened
them immeasurably, as is always the
case with Asiatics. The reports indi-
cate that 1t was complete rout: that
the Chinese soldiers, when they finally
broke. fed precipitately. and that no
bodies OF troops remain in the field In
the immediate vicinity of Tientsin.
1t would seem that this was precisely
the time when the victory should have
been followed up. 1t is possible that the
allied armies might have made their
way to Picking without encountering an
actual organized force In the field: and
that the discouraged and routed Chi
nese troops would never have attempted
another stand This is certain: The de-
lay in following up the advantage gain
ed at Tientsin will permit the Chinese
army to recover from its panic. IT will
be reoreanized, will take up another po-
sition between Tientsin and Picking, and
the allies will have at least one more
big battle on their hands before they
can make their way into the city.
OF course determining factor In the
case is whether the members OF the le-
cations are still alive in Picking. This
government. accepting the assurances
Of Minister WI, believes that they are.
In no other country is any confidence
whatever placed in the truth Of the Chi
nese reports. Believing that the men,
bers of the legations are still alive. this
country Is eager that the march on
Picking shall be commenced at once and
with the forces at hand, taking advan-
tage of the present demoraliyed condi-
ton of the Chinese army. The other
countries having troops on the ground
realize that the Chinese put up hard
fight at Tientsin. and think the allied
forces are as yet too small to risk the
march to Picking. with the prospect of
other severe battles before them. They
are inclined to underestimate the de-
morallzation OF the Chinese army. AS
they do not believe that there is a sim
gle foreigner alive In Picking, they see
no necessity for taking any desperate
chance; but desire rather 10 wait until
n large army Is on the ground. and they
can accomplish all the purposes of the
campaign. completely restore order. and
set up new government under which
the lives and property Of foreigners
may be safe.
While II Is extremely probable that
the European view may be correct. and
that there are no foreigners alive IN Pc
king. II does not follow that the policy
Of delay Il the correct one. There Is a
chance. although remote one, that
there may be foreigners in Picking to
rescue, and that fact alone should have
tremendous weight in determining the
policy to he pursued. and would warrant
the taking OF desperate chances in the
attempt 10 reach the Chinese capital
The attempt might be made. by a re-
connaissance in force. TO determine the
extent OF the Chinese Generalization.
and whether there Is actually Chinese
army In the field between the capital
and the seaport II could at least be
learned whether II IL practicable to
reach the Chinese capital with the pres
ent force; ana with proper precautions
there is no reason 10 fear that the ad-
vance column would he cut OF.
II the policy Of delay is pursued. II
IL quite certain that the Chinese gov
eminent, whether emperor. empress
dowAger or Prince Tuan. Will abandon
Peking. set up a capital else where. and
a campaign upon gigantic scale win
have to be contemplated. The sudden
dash u a relatively small force now
the Chinese government. 4 regular
campaign. with an enormous army. may
mean an interminable war. conducted
far ia the interior ~ China. whittier
the chlnese rArital may be moved. The