The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-10
Ninth and Fourteenth United States
Infantry and Battery +, Fifth
Artillery, Engaged.
TOTAL CASUALTIES ABOUT 200
CHINESE DRIVEN OUT OF TRENCHES
AFTER FOUR HOURS FIGHTING.
Reconnoissance by the Japanese, Who
Found the Enemy I'm Strong
Force at Wei-HO.

w AOIIl4NO lOA>, aug. = Hc
following dispatch has been re-
ceived at the War Department from
General Chaffee, sent via Che-Foo:
'Yang-Tsun. Aug. 6.-Yang-
Tsun occupied to-day. Wounded:
Second Lieutenant Frank K. Long,
Ninth Infantry, moderate. Casual
ties about sixty men, Ninth United
States Infantry, Fourteenth United
States Infantry and Battery F,
Fifth United States Artillery.
Nearly all from Fourteenth lnfan-
try. Names later. Many prostrated
by heat and fatigue.
"CHAFFEE."
The following dispatch was re-
ceived by the signal Office of the
army here:
"Yang-Tsun, Aug. 6, via Che
Foo, Aug. 9. 9.-Yang-Tsun cap
tured to-day. Wire up. Need own
transportation. All we'll.
"SCRIVEN."
This announcement of the capture of
Yang-Tsun. the first objective point of the
international forces, was the supreme news
of Importance received to-day on the Chi
nese situation. The first word of this cap
brief dispatch TO the signal office at the
War Department. from Colonel Scriven, the
signal officer at Che-Foo. Half an hour
after this message the cablegram came
from General Chaffee. giving additional
details of the capture, and showing that it
had been at the cost of about sixty casual
ties among the American troops
Hardly less important was a dispatch
from General Terauchi, second in command
on the japanese staff. sent to the War
once of Japan and transmitted to the lega-
tion here. stating that the international
army would total $1,000 men on Aug. Is, at
which time the real advance on Peking
stated that on the 4th, when it was for
warded. the advance had not yet begun.
This was at first incomprehensible, IN view
OF the fact that fighting had actually
occurred. But the later statement that
the international force would total $4,000
men on the 18th appears to make clear Gen.
Terauchi's meaning and to reconcile IL with
General Chaffees dispatches. The present
movement OF some 5000 men doubtless
Is viewed in the light OF a reconnaissance
in force, the main movement of the army
OF $1,000 TO follow on the 18th. This makes
clear the meaning OF General Chaffee's dis
patch that Yang-Tsun was the objective
point.
The War Department here has been con-
siderably puzzled over this statement OF an
objective point far short of Peking. 1t
would appear. however. from General Ter
suchi's dispatch that the first force of 1900
men. having opened UP communication TO
Yang-Tsun. brought forward supplies and
established this advance base, the way
would then be clear for the advance of the
larger force on the 18th. The capture of
Yang-Tsun is. therefore. an important
strategic branch OF the fast-maturing mill
tary plans. The place is about eighteen
miles beyond Tien-Tsin. and little less shan
. quarter OF the way to Peking.
Colonel scriven's statement. Wire up"
contains much meaning. as it is accepted
ss showing that there is direct telegraphic
communication with the army In the field.
Aside from the assurance this gives OF
speedy transmission OF news from the
front. IL gives additional assurances that
che line Of communication is intact back TO
the nrst base of operations. The capture
OF ysng-Tsun on the day following the
battle Of Pei-Tssng Is regarded as highly
puccessful military achievement. especially