The age-herald., 1900-07-29
General Chafee is Thought to be
 at Taku Now.
WILL ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION
More Troops Necessary They Will be Drawn Immediately-Two
 Transports Available

Washington, July 2S.-The day brought forth the usual crop of ethics and reports from various quarters and the usual visit from Minister Wu to the State Department, all bearing directly upon the welfare of the foreign Ministers in Pekin. This con- stantly growing mass of assertion is be- ginning to have cumulative effect upon the sceptics, and there was a nouceably and hopeful view taken of the state of af- fairs today. Beyond the fact that 1t is scarcely conceivable that the Chinese au- thorities could persist in repeating and strengthening their stories up to the rapidly approaching moment when the whole truth must be disclosed by other agencies, 1t ap- pears upon careful consideration of the re- ports that there was less ground for hope as to the safety of MT. Conger and his colleagues at Pekin today than there was yesterday.
 The depressing fact is always in mind that the Chinese authorities, by their own statements, are able to communicate with the Legations, but for some mysterioiA reason do not permit these Hnfortunatesft:, communicate with their own. governmeli4 q Minister Wu's explanation was that ttle NhAhSoo AiclIOuo dId ulhcIeut lTOIH <Okk own, but this is scarcely sufficient for the officials here. The Minister, however, if honestly trying to get further conmuni- cation through from MT. Conger, it may be that success in this undertaking will af- ford him brilliant vindication. At least. he maintains a wonderful show of confi- dence in the safety of the Legations and manages to impress this in some degree upon the officials and others with whom he ccmes in contact. .z->~~f ,zstet Chaffee Expect ed at Taku
 The War Department officials calculated that General Chaffee with his troops on the Grant would arrive at Taku this evening. though it may be several days before fsfi report of the fact can reach the depart ment The irregular and unsatisfactory character of the present system of com municatfon between Taku and the United States has been taken in consideration by the War Department and it is said that one of Chaffee's acts in taking charge of the United States forces ashore at Taku and -Tien Tsin will be to establish com munication with the other military com manders with a line of rapid despatch bats running from Tien Tsin to Shanghai or Nagaski.
 It is known that all contingencies have been scanvassed and that if an emergency should arise in China which makes it i'm peratiye to have additional troops they will be drawn Some time ago General Macarthur was advised by Secretary Root to maintain sufficient transports to carry supplies between Manila anr Taku and these transports will be available for emer- gency troops The Pennsylvania, indiana and Summer, when the troops arrive at Manila probably will be held for service between Manila and Taku and will, be available for any contingency which may occur. A stubborn resistance to- the 'ad- vance of the international armies might make additional troops necessary. In that event a speedy relief column will no doubt be sent from Manila.