Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-26
A RUSSIAN COMMANDER ACTS
Forbids Communication with Chinese OH
Ground That His Country is at War
With China Delicate situation Grow
ing Out of Joint Occupancy of Pekin-
American Consuls to Return to Their
Respective Posts UnintcIl!glble Dis
patches From Chance Give Trouble.
(By Telegraph to vlrglnian-pllotl

to-day took precedence over both the
naval and military features. The off,
Gals or this government were, If any
thing, more uncommunicative than
heretofore as to the relations between
the Powers and China. 1t was stated
authoritativeiy that no news OF opera
lions had been received and that the
diplomatic negotiations could not be
made public.
Inc most unsatisfactory develop
ments OF the day, so far as the pacific
program of this government goes. was
the receipt of dispatch from Admiral
neilcy conveying the reports which
!i,iu reached him OF q disagreement be-
tween the commander of the Russian
FORCES in Pekin and the other inter
nationals.
NOT MADE PUBLIC.
me text of this dispatch was not
made public, but 1t was said on rood
Huthorlty to contain the statement that
tHe RUSSIAN commander had forbidden
coplmuncation with the Chinese on thn
ground that Russia was technically. as
wen az actually. at war with China
IL may be said tina, this informntio,,
was not conveyed by Admiral Pcn,o,
as oihcial information. but merely as
- 'eport from reliable sources. which
e considered this government should
possess for its own information.
FIRST NOTE or DIscoRD
assuming Admiral Remey's renort in
De correct. this move on the nort NJ
RUSSIA strikes the first note of discord
III the heretofore harmonious concert
~. me Fowers. The possibilities OF
are almost infinite. and wn,,id ~
heriouS 10 n degree. 1t NAV be saiI
noWeNer, that the news is nor ,al.an
very seriously by this government ,nI
certainly viii not affect our course in
any way until it has been ofiiciaIiv
SITUATION DELICATE
~ was explained that the situation
growing out of the joint occtnatio,, 80
Pckin by the Powers was delicato ~
thoush not necessarily to be dcscrihed
as serious The interest of ali tha
iuWcfS there represented were nj lcost
coihIclltlye If not antagonistic and i'll
o,,n oSi rs move ON the part of any
o o'lc government might easily entail
uiSaSrccable consequences in which
az Would be more or loss in
VOWED. At the same time il
was explained that all of the
Governments represented i'm chine
We're anxious to avert any Omen ciash
II inns could be done without sncri
HclhS what they considered their rights
in The premises. NO
ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES
IN THIS situation the United s;tatcs
occupied the position it had held ali
,NrouSn INC disturbance, namely. of be-
ing the one Power least under susnIcion
by the others OF selfish motives TIT,
government is exceedingly anxious IN
MAINTAIN TINS vantage ground and re-
tam the confidence of the other Powers
SO mat 1t is now more than ever eau
1louS as to the next step to be taken
Inc decision to address instructions 10
the United States representatives. at
the courts OF the various Powers was
reached yesterday after the most ma
lure elaboration. 1t would have been
a satisfaction to this Government If
inc action could have been taken with
out exciting public comment of any
sort. Owing to the fact that this com
munication was not addressed directly
10 the other Governments, and that il
contained merely instructions for the
guidance of our diplomatic represent
atives abroad. it was decided not TO
make public either the text or the sub
stance OF the instructions, lest their
premature publication should defeat
the very object for which they were
designed, namely, of ascertaining the
temper of the various Governments in
tcrested, with view to determining
what form of procedure is most likely
10 meet with general approba ton
among them, ana lead TO q speedy So
luton of the problem.
CONSULS TO RETURN.
Washington, Aug. 25.--The State De-
partment is taking steps to have all of
the American consuls in China to re-
turn to their several posts as soon as
immediate danger from anti-foreicn
outbreaks is passed. The attention of
the department has been called to
statements emenatinS from various
consuls to the effect that they left
their posts at the direction of the de-
partment. The officials say this is not
correct, that the consuls merely We're
permitted by the department to leave
II they considered their lives were in
danger. Now that the danger is pass
ed the department is getting ready to
have them go back to their posts and
take up their routine work.
NO REPORT FROM CHAFFEE.
Washington. Aug. 25.-The War De-
partmcnt has not yet received from
General Chaffee the report requested
OF him n few days ago upon conditions
In Pekin. In fact several recent cable
grams of inquiry addressed to General
Chailee have not been answered 1t is
supposed that the uncertainty of COM
munlcation between Pekin and Tien
Isin is responsible for General Chat
fces silence. The wires have been cut
between, the capital and Tien Tsin.
and IL is possible that the messages
were sen; by courier to Pekin.
UNINTELLIGIBLE DISPATCHES.
The War Department has been adj
vised by the cable companies that they
have had difficulty in ira oino> rnaeeaoae