The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-26
First Step by the Administration To-
ward. Redemption of the Pledge
Made in Reply to Russia.
ALIGNMENT OF THE POWERS
BRITAIN REPORTED To HAVE RE-
JECTED GERMANY's PROPOSAL.
snIisbury's Reply Said to BE Identical
with that of America-No
Omcial Statement.

wAsHINGToN. Sept 25.-The War De-
partment. through Lieutenant General Miles
and Adjutent General Corbin, to-day cabled
the following instructions to General Chat
fee at Peking:
Pending negotiations for settlement
the secretary of war directs that a legation
guard OF a regiment CT infantry. four
troops OF cavalry with rapid fire guns and
a light battery. with complete equipment
and reserve supply OF ammunition adquate
for any emergency be retained in Peking
under your command. and that you send
the remainder OF your force in China to
Manila to report 70 General Macarthur.
The guard should be amply provisioned,
etc, until navigation opens next spriLg.
Retain such officers for staff duty as you
deem necessary; all others OF whatever
corps or department will be sent to Mac
Arthur for duty as soon as possible. All
stores. transportation and materials not
required for the legation guard, send to
Manila Place yourself in close relations
with our minister. acting with him on the
lines that will best subserve our interests,
keeping this department fully advised. 1t
Is important that you have the confidence
of the generals Of the other powers. Gen
eral Wilson. with his aids, will remain in
Peking for the present. Special instructions
may be sent him. Cable Macarthur con-
cerning requirements TO carry these in
structions into effect. Inform generals
commanding forces OF other powers OF our
intention to withdraw part of our forces.
Show this to Conger.'
r-h~ rrof+a1 ctatas oovarnu,aof hos hx,
these instructions taken the first steps to-
ward the redemption of its pledge made to
the Russian government Aug. Is last, to
reduce the American forces in China to the
proportion of legation guard. Nearly a
moath ago the Russian government was
told through NJ. De wollant, its charge
here. that IF the Russian forces and. min
istry were withdrawn from Peking. we
shall give instructions to the commander of
the American forces in China to withdraw
our forces from Peking after due confer
ence with the other commanders as to the
time and manner OF withdrawal" That
time has now come, and to-day's action
marks the beginning Of the disappearance
OF the American army from China. for,
although some military force is to remain.
It will not be Of the character OF an army.
but, upder the conditions laid down In the
order 10 General Chaffee, and especially
under its Official designation as '1ega-
tion guard" will be rather of the nature Of
a civil guard. This small force will not
be included IN any military operations
which may be conducted by the allied
armies. and so will not fan subject to the
direction OF Field Marshal Count Won
Xaldersee, the commander in chief.
Much thought has been given to the
proper number OF troops TO be allotted for
this purpose. and 1t is believed that the
1900 men selected will be quite sufficient
TO protect the American legation against
any force that could be brought against
IT. 1t is noteworthy. too. that the most
complete arrangements have been ordered
for the maintenance of the men, while care
has been taken that there shall not be a
shortage OF ammunition. as there was in
the British legation during the siege. 1t
A. estimated that about a week will be re-
auired TO bring the $500 soldiers away from
u
Immediately. 1t Will be at least about the
end OF the first week in October before the
movement can be completed. 1t Is stated
at the quartermaster's department that
there are enough troop ships available to
bring OF the force which Will come out OF
China. Three or four vessels will be al
Taku by the time the troops are ready to
move. Besides troop ships for the men, a
number OF animal ships viii take away
the horses and mules which will not be
needed in China. General Chaffee is author
ized TO take from the ships now at Taku
such stores as Will be necessary to last
him through the winter.
Z nder the order General Chaffee will de-
termine what troops now serving under
him shall be sent TO Manila. There are
row in China the full Ninth Infantry. eight
companies Of the Fourteenth Infantry,
Battery r OF the Fifth Artillery. four com.
ranies OF the Fifteenth Infantry. eigh.
troops OF the Sixth Cavalry and four bat
teries OF the Third Artillery 1t is
supposed that the legation guard
win consist OF the Ninth Infantry
four troops OF the Sixth Cavalry and Bat.
terry r OF the Fifth Artillery. The marines