The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-06-20
SEYMOUR'S FORCE SURROUNDED:
RUSSIANS ATTACKING PEKIN.


| partment is carried out. these vessels Will
| be Joined In about forty-five days by the
| Indiana, the Massachusetts. the Kearsage
| the Olympia. the Texas and the Albany
| the combined forces constituting the most
I: powerful fleet ever before assembled by the
United States.
| The three regiments scheduled to go will
comprise about $500 men. To these must
be added the marines and hsye jackets al
ready landed. the marines ordered since
| that landing and the artillery.
Admiral Remey cahlei the Navy Depart
ment to-day that in addition TO the Mariet-
Ia and Princeton he could spare the Zafro.
The Zaiiro will he also at the disposal of
the war Department and may be used for
the transport of either men or supplies.
Other transports available at Manila are
the Logan ard the Port Albert, which will
accommodate the Ninth Infantry and go
more men and supplies and field transpor-
tation for these troops. The Warren will
be held for the Eighteenth Infantry, and
perhaps the Flintshire. The other troops
will be dispatched on the Pennsylvania and
Indiana.
international Agreement.
An international agreement was reached
to-day. to which the State Department was a
party. that each nation against which China
has declared war substantially shall con-
tribute about 4G00 troops TO an interna-
tional army, the object OF which Is to march
10 Pekin. This Information was conveyed
l" the state Department to-day by the Rus
sian charge dAraires and was the first hint
OF this most complete International action.
IL was after this interview between the
Russian Charge d'Anaires and Secretary
Hay that the War Department admitted
that more troops would be sent TO China
although II was guardedly stated that the
selection of the troops would he !ef. 10 Cen
erai macarthur. after conference with
the naval commander at Taku.
LORD Pauncefote called at the State De-
portment after the visit OF VI. De wollant
and delivered. IT is understood. practically
the same message as did the latter. Lord
Pauncefote's visit was extended. and Il is
understood that he discussed with Secretary
Hay the question of the iagrancy of the
war in China
After the conference. Lord Pauncefote
was asked the direct question as 10 whether
the events OF the past few days constituted
state OF war. He said:
10 not care just now to discuss that
question. III the Chinese fired on the feet
under orders from Pek;n there does rot
seem TO he any doubt that Il was an act cf
war. There may be question: however.
as TO whether or not It was an act COM
mitted by rebels to the Chinese Govern |
ment. but even in that case there are oucs-
tions involved which must be decided else-
where"
The state Departments view IL that an \
act OF war has been committed. of which !
the United States Government can take |
advantage If il SO desires. Its desire TO /
50 regard II il evident from the fact that |,
il proposes 70 invade Chinese territory with
troops ordered from Manila for that Dur
pose.
Considered by the Cabinet.
The question Of the state of war was dis
russed earnestly and conclusively to-day by
of War Root Secretary HAY and
the President. Secretary Root was careful
In his answers TO questions as TO the de-
reached by the Cabinet. All
he would admit was that the matter had
been discussed by the Cabinet All eyasions
however. are discounted by the activity
for war In both the Navy and War depart-
ments.
The French Embassy officials were m
willing to discuss the situation TODAY for
publication. One Of them. however said
that the present situation is as bad as
war"
France probably will send her 1000 ,roon.
from Tonquin. or IL all cannot be sent from,
there detachments will be sent from Mar