The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-08-17

/
| Washington, Aug. II. - The capture
of Yang-tsun, the first objective point
| of the united forces, was the supreme
news of Importance received yester-
| day on the Chinese situation. The
first word of this capture, effected last
Monday, came in a brief dispatch to
the signal office at the war depart
ment, from Col. Scriven, the signal Of
fcer at Chefu, saying:
"Chefu, Aug. 9.-Signals, Washing
ton: Aug. 6, Yang-tsun captured to-
day. Wire up. Need own transpor-
.ation. All we'll. -Scriven."
Half an hour after this message a
cablegram came from Gen. Chaffee
giving additional
Details of the Capture
cost of about sixty casualties among
the American troops. Gen. Chaffee's
dispatch is as follows:
"Yang-tsun, Aug. 6.-Yang-tsun oc-
cupied to-day. Wounded: Second
Lieut.. Frank r. Long, Ninth infantry,
moderate. Casualties about sixty men,
Ninth United States infantry, Four
teenth United States infantry and
Battery F, Fifth United States artill-
cry. Nearly all from Fourteenth in
fantry. Names later. Many men
Frustrated, heat and fatigue.
-"Chaffee'
Hardly less important was dis
patch from Gen. Terauchi, second in
nm tho TO cant
to the war Office of Japan and trans
mitted to the legation here, stating
that the international army would
total $1,000 men on Aug. Is, at which
time the
Real Advance on PekfnE
would begin. Gen. Terauchi's dispatch
stated that on the 4th, when it was
forwarded, the advance had not yet
begun. This was at first incompre-,
hensible, in view of the fact that
fighting has actually occurred. But
the latter statement that the interna-
tional force would total $4,000 men on
the 18th appears to make clear Gen.
Terauchi's meaning, and to reconcile
it with Gen. Chaffee's dispatches. The
present movement of some $4,000 men
doubtless is viewed in the light of q
reconnaissance in force. the main
movement of the army of $1,000 to fol-
low on the 18th. This makes clear the
meaning Of Gen. Chaffee's dispatch
that Yang-tsun was
The Objective Point.
The capture of Yang-tsun is, there
fore, an important strategic branch Of
the fast maturing military plans. The
place is about eighteen miles beyond
Tien-tsin, ard little less than a quar-
ter of the way to Picking. Col. Scri-
ven's statement, "wire up" contains
much meaning, as it is accepted as
showing that there is direct telegraph
ic communication with the army in
the field. Aside from the assufesnc4
this gives of speedy transmission Of
news from the front. it gives the addi-
tional assurance that the line of COM
munieation is intact back OF the first
base e. operatjicns.. The capture of
Yahg-tsun On the day following the
battle of Peitsang is regarded as a
especially in vitw OF the fact that it
was Locked upon as stronghold
49,. Whose Capture
illSAt SlS lIle ~! elSiictS Solisiuei<tOie
trouble. Aside from the military de-
velop.nents of the day the diplomatic
aspect OF the crisis was made more
clear by the publication of the de-
nand made by the United States on
the imperial government of China and
transmitted to Minister WI Wednes-
day evening. The document demands
the i!nne7iate cessation OF attacks
upon the legations and urges the exar-
else Of every power and energy of the
imperial government for the protec-
ton Of legations and all foreigners
therein. The imperial government is
also urged to show its friedliness by
cooperating With the relief eXpedi-
ton.
British Troops at Shanghai
The state department has received a
cablegram from Consul General Good
now. at Shanghai, announcing that a
considerable British detachment Of
troops had been landed for the pro-
lection of the foreign settlement at
Shanghai. No protest has been made
by the American consul general, but
he says the merchants of Shanghai
disapprove of the action Of Admiral
Seymour, fearing it will incite the
anti-foreign Chinese. It is learned
at the state department that the Unit
ed States government will enter no
protest to landing of the troops, as it
comedies the right of any power to
protect its citizens where they are
deemed to be in danger.
Count Waldersee Sntfxfnctory.
The subject Of the appointment Of
Count Waldersee to command the in
ternational forces in China has been
presented to the United States gov
eminent, but no answer has yet been
returned. Count Waldersee is regard
ed by the authorities here as an en-
inent soldier, and it is believed that
he will be satisfactory. 1t is stated
that his selection would be for a cam
paign of much broader scope thar
that in which our forces are engaged
as the present movement is for the re-
lief of the ministers in Peking, and
Count Waldersee, who is now in Ger
many, cannot possibly reach China un.
til that object has been accomplished
| or defeated. It is thought by this
government it is not necessary to i'm.
mediately decide upon a commander
for a future campaign. The matte,
| will be taken up with president Me.
Kiniey when he arrives In Washing.