Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-24
FIRE AND FIGHTING
Said to Be Now Raging in
Streets Of Pekin.
Fighting Being Done by Russians,
Americans Having Withdrawn.
Emperor and Empress Still a. Iarse-AIIies
Awaiting Instructions.

London, Aug 24-3.J0 4. M.-Fires.
fighting and dissention are apparently
following in the wake Of the relief of
Pekin. The Daily Mail publishes dis
patches from the Chinese capital, dated
as late as Aug. l.. declaring that a
great fire was then raging in the Inn
perial city. The Russian commander
had declined to accept the decision Of
other generals not TO violate the i'm
perial precincts and street fighting was
going on.
General Chaffee. SO it is asserted.
maintained that the Chinese had been
adequately punished already. and that
it would be unwise to take the Imperial
palace. This explains the withdrawal
Of the Americans after preaching three
gates. as cabled by the special CORE
spondent of the Associated Press. The
Russian general. however. maintained
that his government had declared war
against China. and that, therefore,
there was no reason to prevent him
carrying hOstilties into the sacred pre-
cincts.
Judging from the various and in
many cases contradictory dispatches
that have reached Europe, this morn
ing. from Pekin. the commanders
eventually adopted middle course.
for Reuter- telegram asserts that SEN
tries We're placed TO prevent looting.
Hence it is presumed that the imperi-
al buildings. although captured. will
not be destroyed. The fires appear to
be incendiary and to be caused by the
Chinese themselves.
All the dispatches point to this fact
that when the latest message receiv-
ed here. left Pekin, the commanders
were somewhat at sea regarding their
future action. all awaiting instructions
from their governments.
The foreign residents appear to have
been sent t. Tien Tsin. although the
ST. Petersburg correspondent Of the
Daily Mail says the ministers will not
leave Pekin until the negotiations fo'
indemnity are under way. Neither the
commanders nor the diplomats We're in
communication with the Chinese gov
eminent on Aug. II. They We're then
searching for Prince Tuan.
Among the puzZling reports as to the
whereabouts Of the Empress Dowager
is one from St. Petersburg that she is
in the vicinity Of Pekin. but surround
ed The Emperor seems To have dis
appeared completely.
1t is officially reported that the min
lister of The Netherlands. DR.. f. NJ. Alb
bolt, was slightly wounded during the
siege.
st. Petersburg dispatches announce
good progress in the Manchurfan cam
paign. The town of Mergen was cap
tured. Aug IS, with trifing Russian
loss. while the Chinese suffered severe
-ly, leaving 10 guns. 200 rifles and large
quantities OF ammunition in the hands
of the Russians.
The reports Of risings in northern
Korea are confirmed 1t is believed
that these are not due to i'll will to-
ward foreigners, but to local dissatis-
faction. The Korean government is
sending troops to the disaffected dis
tricts.
According to kilograms from Shang-
hal considerable uneasiness is felt there
over the fact that no dispatches have
been received from Pekin since Aug. 20.
Other Shanghai reports the Emperor
Kwang Su as under the protection Of
the allies and the Dowager as already
captured by the japanese.
Describing the engagement west Of
Tien Tsin, Aug. 6. a special dispatch
says:
The 9Th u. s Cavalry worked with
drll-like precision in the hand to hand
fighting, and the Chinese only escaped
through the bungling Of Gen. Dor
ward"
Berlin learns that there has been
further fighting west of Tien Tsin.
which creates the impression that the
province of Pei Chi Ii must be effec-
lively occupied before peace negotia-
tiOns will become effective
\ Berlin special says that official tee-
grams from Pekn announce. under date
of Aug. 16 that the diplomatic corps
begged the commanders TO occupy the i'm
perial palace after il had been Captured
Gn M0pE Yp00oc N-cncn