Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-07-16
FROM WASHINGTON.
CORRESPONDENCE Of the Alexandra Gareste.I
Washington, July Is.

to over $50 including Col. Liscum, the
commander OF the Ninth United States
Infantry, was received with cousterDa-
ton at the War, State and Navy De-
partments. Although Remey opens up
his dispatch by saying that it is report.
ed" the attack occurred, and winds it up
BY saying that the "details are not con-
frmed" which would naturally tend to
throw some douot upon the accuracy OF
mis- information, it is accepted as GER
tain that Remey would not have cent
such a message if he had not had some
very strong and positive assurances oil
its truth. Because OF the distressing
nature OF the message and these
fears and that 1t had originated Ia
the report of some excited indi-
yidual who had rushed 10 and given
this story without proper investigation
q hurried consultation was at once held
between the Secretaries OF the War,
Navy and State departments at which
the advissbility OF giving out the dis
patch was considered. Secretary Long,
however, declared his belief that an Of
fcer OF Admiral Remey's standing and
reputation would not have sent 1t If 1t
was a mere rumor, and the dispatch
was accordingly given to the press
The large losses sustained by the al
lied forces, including three colonies,
the American, Russian and japanese,
have opened the eyes OF officials
here to the magnitude OF the task
before the powers. They show that
the Chinese forces are not an morgan
lied mob armed with obsolete weapons,
but that they constitute q disciplined
army equipped with the latest of mod
ern rifles and are able to use them.
| The effectiveness of Chinese artillery
| is also demonstrated in the report Of
the Russian artillery colonel who was
| killed. Much surprise is manifested
that the combined artillery of the pow.
ers was unable to silence the Chinese
guns. According to the latest reports
the allied forces aroubd Tientsin
amounted to about 49, 900 men. Most
| il not all OF these are supposed to have
been engaged in the fight. The re
pulse OF 30 large body of experienced
and seasoned troops is taken as
! indicating the presence OF an
overwhelming Chinese force there.
At tre War Department 1t is said
that no action has yet been taken to-
wards ordering more American troops
to the scene OF action. Two battalions
OF the 14th Infantry and battery OF
the Fifth Artillery are now on the way
to Taku from the Philippines, having
started yesterday. Gen. Macarthur in
a recent dispatch said that these were
the only troops be could spare just now,
but it is quite possible that be may be
called upon to send more men to China
and that the deficit in the Philippines
will have 10 be made up by the dispatch
of more men from the United States.
| The question of time, il the present &C.
rious condition OF affairs continues, is
most important, and it is realized that
a month at least can be saved by using
some of the men in the Philippines in
stead of waiting for the slow process Of
sending them from the United States.
Admiral Remey cabled from Taku,
via Chefoo, July 10 to the bureau Of
navigation reporting an attack on the
native city at Tientsin by the allied
forces ss follows: Reported that the
allied forces attacked the native city
on the morning of the 18th, Russians
on the right with the Ninth q. s. in
faptry and marines on the left. Losses
of the allied forces large; Russians over
one hundred, including artillery COL
onel; Americans over thirty; British
over forty; japanese. fifty-sight, in.
Guiding colonel; French, twenty-five.
| Colonel Liscum, Ninth infantry, kill
ed; also Captain Davis, of the Marine
Corps. Captain Lemly and Lieuten.
ants Butler and Leonard were wound
ed. At seven o'clock that evening the
allied forces made an attack on the ma.
tive city, but were repulsed with great
loss. Returns yet incomplete. Details
not yet confirmed.
1t is probable that President McKin-
ley will return to Washington from Can.
ton in consequence of the news received
this morning from Admiral Remey.
The idea of calling Congress together
10 extra session is also being seriously
considered as a necessity of the case, In
order to provide additional men and
| money to meet the emergencies of the
situation. Thee two questions were
the principal subjects OF discussion at q
second Cabinet conference following
that ct which it was decided to publish
The Remey csblegram. AT the coDclu-
sion Of the meeting 1t was given out
that there had been general discussion
of the situation 10 China ard that
| it had been determined that there
should be no change in the policy OF
the government. The gravity of affairs
10 China was admitted but it was de-
clared that no new orders would be ia
sued as the reason of the conference.
Asked as to the possible return of Pres
idsnt Mckinley to Washington as q
consequence of the serious losses sus.
tanned by the United States troops, and
he extreme gravity OF the situation in
Pekin and around Tientsin, a member
of the Cabinet, said automatically :
Before the President left, he told
me, and in fact all OF US,
that he would be within q short
distance and we could each drop
over 70 see him or he could run down
to Washington. i think it quite prob
able that he might come in from time
to time, and / should not be surprised
| il he should cone soon."
The Secretary went on to say that
there were no mole troops available to
| send to China. The force in the Phil
lppines could not be depleted much
| more without detriment there and
there was no authority to enlist more
men in this country, the full quota OF
| 100 600 men now allowed by law hsv-
4 .lsool- arl;o.aI To