The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-22
CONFIDENCE is FELT
STATE DEPARTMENT SATISFIED
WITH THE DISPATCH.
C0NGER MESSAGE CONFIRMED
DELAY IN THE MARCH To PEKIN
Is INExPLICABLE.


fore the Middle of August-some
of the Powers Seem to Think
There Is No Need for Haste-Sug-
sested That Chafce Might Go IL
Alone-FrictiOn Among the Allies.
Washington, July 2l.-Two dispatches
miral Remey at Taku represented the
news developments of the day so far as
the Chinese situation was concerned.
The Chinese dispatches were corrobora-
tive or were intended to be, of the i'm
portant news of yesterday relative to the
state of the legationers.
Admiral Remeys dispatch aside from a
list of casualties, already treated in brief
er form, was most important 1t convey
ed the disagreeable news that the inter
national column would not begin its ad-
vance upon Pekin before the middle of
August This notice was received here
with CONSERVATION, in view of Mr. Con-
gers advice of the desperate position the
leSationers were in on the 18th.
The delay is incomprehensible to the
officials here. II is known that an army,
already formidable in numbers and of
veteran soldiers Is at Tien Tsin and Ia
ku, and with a courageous leader. it was
expected that this would push on at once;
cutting loose from its base if need be,
and forcing its way to Pekin, leaving the
reinforcements now steaming toward
Taku from every quarter of the globe to
re-establish the base and to reopen COM
munication.
Two Conclusions Drawn.
1t is possible to draw two conclusions
from failure of the foreign commanders
to do this. First, the European govern
ments have allowed their skepticism as 10
to carry them to the point of proceeding
coolly and deliberately, upon the first sup
position. namely that tehre are no for
eigners alive to be saved; consequently
there is no need for haste.
The other conclusion is that friction is
developing among the internationals in
spite of earnest endeavors of the Powers,
whose motives as to China are so far un-
iupeached, to prevent it, Color is lent
to this latter theory by the fact that the
governments have so far been unable to
agree upon an international commander
for the expedition to Pekin, and this, too,
in spite of the fact that Admiral Remey,
acting by the instructions Of his govern
ment, is exhausting every effort to induce
the other commanders at Taku and Tien
Tsin to hasten their movements.
The text of Admiral Remey's statement,
relative to the movement of the interna-
tional column was not made public; in
fact, it was not intended that the news
should get out, and there was feeling
of annoyance exhibited at the publica tion,
because Of its possible effect upon the in
ternatonal negotiations now under way.
Meanwhile to secure an accurate state
ment of the exact conditions at Taku and
Tien Tsin, and the resources which will
be at the disposal of the interna tional
commander, whoever he may be, Secre-
tary Long cabled to-day. to Admiral
Remey to send him statement of the
number of internat tional troops now ashore
in China, separating different nationali-
ties.
Chaffee May Go Alone.
Gen. Chaffee is due az Nagasaki in a
day or two. He will tranship at that
point and arrive at Taku In about a week
from this time.
1t has been suggested here that Gen.
Chaffee will, if need be, leave the other
commanders 10 their own devices and
lead the way to Pekin himself. His
brother officers in the war department
say that he is quite competent to under
take this task. Others declare that with
the small force of Americans at his com
mand, the attempt would be suicidal, even
If Chaffee were supported by the British
The details for Gen. Chaffee's staff were
announced to-day. A notable feature is
the inclusion of Lieut.. Col Heistand, now
United States military attache to the Pa
ris exposition commission.
The troop movements ordered to-day
concerning the First Infantry, had been
anticipated yesterday. 1t is presumed that
one effective battalion will be made out
of the two battalions of that regiment re-
turning from Cuba, excluding the short
term men, who will remain at Leaven-
worth, as the home battalion Of the First
Regiment. This new battalion, with the
battalion now at Leavenworth will pro-
ceed to China.
The consolidation into two OF the orlgi-
nal SIX military departments of Cuba an
nounced to-day, Is nothing more than the
logical result of the Withdrawals of troops
from that island already directed.
"