The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-04
HELD BY THE ENEMY
Chinese Capture Number Of Amer.
lean Officers.
1T MAY BE VERY SERIOUS
By Mistake a ChInaman Was Killed
Then the Enraged Celestials
Seized and Carried Away
Number of Americans.


LONDON, Feb. 3. "A dispatch from.
Shanghai says a telegram has been re-
ceived there from Chin Kaing stating that
party of officers from the American war
ship Concord landed at Chin Kaiug for
the purpose of shooting game. They, by
accident, shot a Chinaman. Tho populace
became infuriated and attacked, seized
and carried off the whole party. The
commander of the Concord sent an armed
force of blue Jackets and marines to res.
cue them at all hazards. Further news in
regard to the affair is anxiously awaited.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-The reported
kidnapping of the officers OF the United
States steamer Concord at Chin kaiun
reached Washington at too late an hour
to permit it to be inquired into in naval
or diplomatic circles. Up to 10 O'Clock no
news on the subject had been received by
any government officials.
The news will create profound sensa-
ton tomorrow and unless later reports
show that the captured officers are at
liberty, other vessels will probably be
hurried to the scene. Knowing the con-
dtion of the Chinese at the present time
and the way in which they are likely to
deal with prisoners, there will be great
anxiety until the safety of the party is as
sured.
A court martial will probably follow, as
the policy of the United States govern
ment is to require unusual care in such
cases. A few years ago a test torpedo
| from United States warship was eN-
ploded by some Japanese who found it
on the beach. One of them was killed,
and though the Japanese government de-
clared it held the officer blameless, there
severely reprimanded.
The Concord is a twin screw steam gun
boat of 1,7l0 tons displacement. She is
commanded by Joseph L. Craig and has
complement of 10 officers and $50 men.
She arrived in Chin Kaing last Friday.
The following is the list of officers on the
Concord:
Commander Joseph Z. Craig, command
ing.
- Lieut.. Z. S. Prime.
G. A. Merriam.
William S. Hogg.
| W. A. Gill.
| Ensigns: Marbury Johnson. c. NJ. Faks
and L. L. Ii. Everhart.
Naval cadets: Chester Wells, j. B. Pot
ter and A. NJ. Proctor.
| Surgeon, W. A. McClurg.
| Paymaster. Henry Il. Smith.
Assistant engineer, j. b. Patton.
Cadet engineer, j. E. Brady.
The other ships now belonging to the
Asiatic station are the Charleston, York
town, Detroit, Machias, Petrol and Mon
ocacy. Rear Admiral c. c. Carpenter
| commands the station with the Balti-
more ship. He will undoubtedly act
promptly.
| LONDON, Feb. "a Times dis
patch from Tien Tsin says the
latest news from Wei Hal Wei shows
| half the northern forts on the main land
are holding out against the Japanese as
saults. A Japanese ship was damaged
and torpedo boat sunk while attempt
ing to force tho northern entrance of the
harbor.
| A dispatch from Chez Foo to-day states
that the japanese have captured the
island of Liu hung Tao, off We-Hai-Wei
after desperate fighting. Tho dispatch
adds the Japanese fleet maintained ter
rifle fire on the island forts several hours.
The Chinese gunners responded spirit
| edly. Several of tho Chinese guns were
disabled toward the close of the bonn
bardment. Tho forts were damaged
badly and finally, while the Japanese
ships were still firing at the island forts,
six vessels lowered boats filled with ma
rines armed with cutlasses and carbines.
| These boats we're pulled ashore in the
teeth of the enemy's fire and the Japanese
then carried all the Chinese batteries by
storm after fierce fighting.
Many of both sides were killed or
wounded. \ large number of prisoners
we're taken. When the dispatch left the
Chinese and Japanese fleets were hotly
| engaged.
A Times special from Wei Hal Wei
states that the Chinese fleet made an at
tempt to escape from the harbor but
|