The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-08-08
RETREAT OF THE CHINESE
FURTHER REPORTS OF THE B4TTLE E
 ATPEI TSANG,
The Encmy's Rear Guard Attacked and Practically Decimated- Fine Work of Japanese Arttllery-Americans in the Fight Chnffee's Dispatch Evidence of Agreement Among Commanders.
It Among Commanders.

Agreement Among Commanders.
 London, Aug. IA special dispatch from Shanghai dated to-day says:
 Tt is reported that heavy fighting took place last Sunday east of Pei 1 Tsang, the allies losing 400, of whom 65 were British.
 l ''The Japanese artillery did splendid service In the faca of a galing Chinese cross fire, under which they lost heavily. The Chinese were forced to retreat, but saved their guns. Their rear guard was attacked and practically decimat- | ed"
 The Daily Mails correspondent at Che Foo telegraphing Monday, says;
 "The fighting lasted seven hours and the alliesS when my report left, were pursuing the Chinese, but, owing to the | floods, progress was difficult Thus the Chinese will have time to reform and recover from the effects of battle. Only a small garrison, with fourteen guns remains at Tien Tsin, where some anX- ; iaty is felt because of a report that 15,- l 900 Chinese are said to be moving two days march to the southeast" | All the correspondents agree in prais- ing the bravery and organization of the Japanese, but none of them brings the story much beyond General Chaffee's report (printed below).
 Ii Ping Heng, according to the Shanghai correspondent of The Stand ard has been appointed generalissimo of the Chinese forces, and has left Pekin to command the troops outside the city. Washington, Aug. 7-The information which came to-day that American troops were engaged in the battle at Pei Tsang established positively, for the first time, that notwithstanding the dif- faculties which General Chaffee had en- countered in debarking troops and sup plies at least a part and a considerable part of our force was in the vanguard of the forward movement. General Chaffee's dispatch to the war depart ment conveyed the most satisfactory evidences that the commanders had thoroughly agreed in advance upon a plan of action and that there is every indication that this plan had been fol- lowed, as General Charree on Friday sent the cable saying that the attack upon the Chinese at Pei Tsang would be made on Sunday, the day on which Admiral Remey and the press corre- spondent say the fighting occurred. General Chaffee's announcement that the present objective of the interna- tional column is Yang Tsun is inter- preted by the officials at the war de- partment to mean that this point, where river, railroad and wagon road meet, is to be made the advance base for the operations on Pekin.
 The dispatch from General Chaffee as first given out contained several mis- takes which the officials of the war de- part were able to correct later The dis patch as corrected is as follows:
 "Chefoo, Aug.7. "Adjutant General, Washington:
 ''Tientsn, 3d-Conference to-day de- cided battle Sunday. Chinese intrench- ed, east and west Pie Tsang. Right of Chinese protected by flooded ground practically unassailabe. Japanese, | English. American forces about 10, 900 | strong attack Chinese right, west of | river In flank. Other forces, Russian, French, about 4,000 strong. opposite side | between river and railroad. Chinese po- stion apparently strong. Army report | ed 30,000, between Pei Tsang and Yang | Tsun. Cross road, Pei Ho, Yang Tsun, | objective. Our force 2,000 and battery
 "Conemaugh arrived. Sixth cavalry left (at Tentsin for guard of city and | awaiting mounts
 Ministers safe on 2Sth of July
 "Chaffee."
 The most positive addition to the news of the day was the brief line from the Associated Press correspondent at 'rien Tsin stating that the Ninth and Fourteenth, infantry, Reillys battery and the Marines were in the battle of Pei Tsang. It was this force which, with the British and Japanese, bore the brunt of the attack on the left flank which was to turn the enemy's posi- ton. This plan had already been made clear by General Chaffee's dispatch, all though he did not mention what Amer can troops would be engaged.
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