The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-07

miscellaneous Troops ADVANCE on
the other-The EHemy's Position
Strong and Protected by Flooded
Ground-DetaiIs of the Fighting
and Casualties Not Gfveu-OficiaIs
Believe the Foreign Diplomats in
the Celestial Capital Are stfIi Safe.
An important despatch which was sent
by General Chaffee at Tientsin on August
3. and forwarded from Chefoo on August Z,
was received at the War Department to-
day. The cabiegram states that Minister
Conger was alive and well on July 2S
The message deals with events just prior
to the engagement on Sunday and is as
follows:
''Chefoo Aug. Z.
"Adjutant General. Washington:
''Tientsin Sd. Conference today de-
eide battle Sunday. Chinese entrench-
ed east and west through Peitsang
Left of Chinese protected by flooded
ground practically unassailabIe. Jap
anese, English, and American forces,
about ten thousand strong, attack Chi
nese right west of river in flank. 9th
er forces Russian, French, about four
thousand strong, opposite side between
river and railroad.
Chinese position apparently strong.
Army reported thirty thousand be-
tween Pebang and Yangtsun, or cross
ing of road over Pei-Ho. Yangtsun OBJ
jective Our forces two thousand ana
battery. Conemaugh arrived. Sixth
Cavalry left in TieGtsin for guard of
city and awaiting mounts. Minister
safe on 2Sth July. CHAFFEE.
The fact that the attack was decided
upon at a conference of the commanders
Indicates that the allies are working to-
gether and fighting with a general under
standing. The strength of the Chinese pc
sition, as shown by General ChaTee was
probably the cause of the heavy losses to
the allies.
Yangtsun is about twenty-five miles
North of Tientsin and it is here that the
lilies viii meet the Chinese in 4 second en-
ga cement. as General Chaffee states this
is the objective point. It is supposed that
the clash between the little foreign force
and the 10000 Imperial troops must come
within day or two as the allies cannot be
far from Yangtsun.
The Conemaugh which is stated to have
arrived, carries the horses OF the Sixth
Cavalry, now unmounted in Tientsin. and
the gallant cavalry command will be able
TO get to the fore within & few days.
Advance We'll Under Way.
The eablegram shows that the advance
on Pekin is well under way and that there
viii be no turning back now General
Chaffee's message is regarded as being
highly satisfactory ard the officials can
not praise him too highly. When the go
O0o Chinese have been turned aside at
Yangtsun. it is believed that the gallant
man of action" as General Chaffee is
known, will soon be close tc the Imperial
City and within reach OF the foreign min
isters
The War Department officials and those
of tie State Department are overjoyed at
the report of General Chaffee that Minis
ter Conger was safe on July Is. It is known
that he would not have cabIed this infor-
nation unless he knew as q certainty that
what he said was fact and it is believed
that he obtained soma accurate information
from the legation
1t is now noped that the American Minis
tel can hold out until the allies reach Pc
kfn. The Government; officials seem to be-
ieye that the Imperial authorities will
Eever allow the city TO be bombarded, but
will capuIate when the allies near the
gates and all hope of preventing the ad-
yance has been lost
1t was given out at the War Department
that the American forces engaged on Sun
Gay were the Ninth and Fourteenth Infan-
try and ReilIy's Battery. The latter is
orac< light battery consisting OF 271 men
and seven officers. and the officials feel
Ire that il VIII give a good account of it
self.
It is realized here however, that the po-
eition OF the foreigners in Pekin is daily
growing more perileus on account Of the
aiY1nce of me relieving force. The de-
Excl Chinese troops that fought with the
allies at Peitsang may insist on renewing
tx attse& eli he legations when they
reach Pel1ia aid as the little 5ant. o. ma
ri.es that has so b-a EeIy tended th. le
:.etio1s lc gh"rt % ammunition and decf-
.natel ny <eath sounds, and sickness. a
reLewal of sAe attack may bring victory to
Tie Chinese. TIE news o: the defeat of the
Chinese forces at Peftsang Irust have
:eachsd Pckia by this time u. the effect
o. it is fraught with the greatest danxey
t the legat:oners.
Ta- GorerGm.at is still f.pefui that tie
ir1periaI authorities. realizing the conse-
GGences Of any narm to The ministers, will
40 their utmost to continue prot. .tion TO
the foreigners shut up in the legations.
Doubt is expressed, however. whether the
ChiL=se Government will be p.werfuI
enough 10 stay the sentlE,en: that ce-
ElGnds the Slaughter of the ''fo-sigu dey-
lis
TAe Washington officials look for i'm