The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-15
FIGHTING MUST STOP.
Winter Will Put an End to Hostili-
ties in China

TEN Tsin, China, Nov 15-Tn the
opinion of military men there is little
likelihood that recently renewed opera
tons will be prolonged after the cold
weather has fairly set in. Few of the
forces now here are adequately equipped
for winter campaigning, and this region
can not be relied on for any supplies
Little grain was harvested as the har-
vest season occurred after. the trouble
began and the laborers were driven out
Recent foraging parties extending to a
considerable distance have found few
nerds, and the allies are forced to rely
entirely upon their own cOrnmissaries
The military situation is naturally de-
pendent upon the progress of diplomatic
negotiations, but at the same time it is
not believed that a failure of the COM
nlencement of these will result in 17111ch
further activity of the troops. 1t is
known that Count Won Waldersee the
commander of the allies, is considering
the advisablity of removing his winter
headquarters to Shanghai, and this is
taken to indicate that the allies will not
e1deavor to prolong operations in the
north. Prior to his departure for PeIxin
it was unOfficially intimated that his
plans contemplated Shanghai as the
most available point for the winter and
in the event of his removal there it is
considered as probable that the COM
nlanders of at least a part of the other
forces will go also. There are repeated
reports. from unofficial sources, how
ever, of a strong inclination on the part
of certain of the legations to leave
Pel1fn unless a satisfactory commence
ment Of negotiations looking toward a
settlement is effected before the river
freezes.
The fears of a coal stringency in Pekin
have been somewhat relieved by the or
ganization of a caravan to the coal dis
tr1cts The supply, however, is small
and even with the exertion of all pos
sible efforts to secure fuel, it is believed
in Dir
be severe on the troops, both here and
in Pekin. An early winter is predicted.
The temp ture fell suddenly to "a de-
grees last night, which is unusually low
for this season.
The British have abandoned their
camp ON the plains to the southwest and
with the return of the Pao Ting Flu ex-
petition will put their men in buildings
for the winter The bulk of the German
force is being rapidly sent forward to
Pelxin, but those still here are in tents
and the scarcity of lumber probably will
prevent the erection of winter bar
racks
The inadequacy of the railway facili-
ties is source of much enbarra SSInent-
As indicated in the dispatches of the
Associated Press, there is likelihood that
the road from Yangtsun to Pekin will
be in operation this winter, consequently
the allies are depending on the river for
transportation. The Americans, fearing
that the rapid fall in the Peiho will i'm
pede navigation, are using wagon trains
to push supplies to Pekin. They are the
only force equipped with wagons and
animals General Humphrey, the chief
quarteTmaster, is sending four-mule
teams up as fast as possible, and the
bulk of the supplies for the American
garrison at Pekin is already under way
or already stored in the capital Little
progress has been made by the allied
forces. who. with the exception Of the
Russians, Will maintain large garrison
at Pelxin- As a result, the opinion is
gaining ground that a portion of the
present estimate of troops may be
forced to withdraw
It is probable that the Pekin railway
will be restored to its owners soon and
operated under the direction of the
allies. The Russians are said to have
offered to turn the road over to the Ger