The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-09-06
FROM CHINA.
What is True and What is FalseP

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cases the government was by no
means satisfied with the state OF
communications, and the Cabinet
meeting gave the larger part Of its
attention to the problem OF rectify-
ing this state Of affairs. Evidence
of interference with the messages
have accumulated to point where
the government has determined to
take steps to establish cables OF its
own, even il it is necessary TO en-.
ploy the rather expensive device OF
a mau-of-war plying between Shaug-
hal and Chefu for this purpose.
Meanwhile word comes that rapid
progress is making with the shore
cable which is to connect these
points, and it is believed that within
a week these means OF communica-
ton will be open.
Two messages were received from
Gen. Chaffee today, and while they
cast no light on the general situa-
ton they were theoretically import.
ant. The generals statement that
he needs no siege battery, taken in
connection with the diversion OF the
First cavalry, which was bound from
Taku to Manila, seems to make it
clear that there is no intention OF
entering into prolonged campaign
in China, as would involve the use
Of heavy artillery or OF reinforce
ments in the shape OF men aud
horses. AT the same time it cannot
be said that the government has
shown any sign Of a purpose to a5.
andon any just claim it may have
secured upon China through tha
brilliant operations Of the little
American force in the Flowery King
dom. But it begins to appear that
the battle OF to day is one OF dip
lomacy rather than one of arms, and
notwithstanding the various rumors
that have filtered out from Chinese
sources OF heavy engagements be-
tween the international forces and
the Boxers, the officials here are
satisfied that no formidable organic
ed resistance would be offered by
the Chinese il the demands OF the
powers are limited to the princi-
pies laid down by the United States.
Therefore more interest attached
to series OF diplomatic calls upon
Acting Secretary Adee this after
noon than any report Of purely mill
tary matter in China. First came the
JapaneseMinister, Mr. Takahirs; next
the Russian charge, Mr.. Wollant,
and finally Mr., Thiebaut, the French
charge. These trained diplomats
naturally are averse to letting the
public know the developments Of
incomplete negotiations. Neverthe-
less, it was gathered that one of the
principal topics of discussion was
the propriety OF accepting Ii Hung
Chang as proper person with
whom the powers might negotiate
for settlement in China.
PARIS, Aug. 2S.-The Steele pub
fishes this morning the following
from it's special correspondent:
ST., PETERSBURG, Aug. 26--I send
you under all reserve the following
news, which is repeated here with
persistence: The Government has
received dispatch informing it
that after terrible battle inside the
walls Of Peking the allies retired,
losing 1900 men, mostly Russians.
The Chinese occupy fortified posi-
tions, whence they are bonbarding
the allied forces with very deadly
fire.
SHANGHAI, Aug. 26. - Local man.
darins received a telegram to-day
from Paoting- Flu stating that the
allied powers have taken the dis
trict. west OF Peking. Lii Hung
Chang sent telegram to-day to the
Empress at Siau-Fu requesting her
to arrest Prince Tuan of the army
in order to give him an opening to
negotiate with the powers.
LONDON, Aug. ", 4 a. m.-The