Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-04
Capture of American Officers Not
Officially Reported.
OPINIONS HELD IN TEE DEPARTMENTS
Views Differ as to What Should
Be Done.
COURT-M ATRIAL MAY FOLLOW

The report from Shanghai that a hunting
party from the u s. S. Concord has been
oyerpowered and carried off by the natives
near Chin Kiang because they had acci-
dertaIly shot a Chinaman, although not
vet officially confirmed, has given rise to
grave concern at the Navy and State De-
partments.
Chin Kiang lies on the Yang-tse river. 146
miles from Shanghai, and just below the
mouth of the Grand canal. The country Is
famous for it's game. pheasants. ducks and
even deer being plentiful. Whenever
naval vessel is in the neighborhood the Of
ficers invariably avail themselves of the
opportunity to hunt.
1t is felt at the State Department, how
ever, that the officers of the Concord
showed very poor Judgment in INDUCING
their desire for sport while the country
is so disturbed over the war and the ma
tives are so jealous of the presence of
foreigners. 1t Is not believed, however,
that the party is in great danger, if the
commander OF the Concord shows pru-
dence in dealing with the case. The Chi
nese usually set little store on the life Of a
native, being ready at all times to accept
a small sum of money In full indemnity
for an accidental killing. 1t is. there
fore, conjectured by naval officers that the
Concords officers are being held only to
insure the payment of such indemnity.
Difference of Opinion.
As to the best method of settling the
matter of securing the release of the pris-
oners there is a difference of opinion be-
tween the officials of the State and the
Navy departments.
The former believe that the best course
to pursue would be to apply to the Tartar
general in command at Chin Kiang, who
would compel the natives to give up their
prisoners, and thus avoid any breach OF
international law.
The naval officers, on the other hand, in
dorse the action of Capt. Craig in sending
an armed relief party from the Concord
in pursuit. relying upon the fear OF the
natives of the American naval force to
secure the speedy release of the officers.
A court-martial will probably result from
this incident. as the policy of the United
care in such cases. A few years ago a lost
torpedo from United States warship was
exploded by some Japanese, who found 1t
on the beach One of them was killed, and
though the japanese government declared
it held the officer of the warship blameless.
there was a court-martial and the officer
was severely reprimanded.
Chin kians and It's Geography.
Chin Kiang, whence comes news of the
seizure of a hunting party Of American
naval officers by excited Chinese for shoot
ing Chinaman accidentally, is one Of the
smaller treaty ports Of China, it's popula-
ton being only about 10000; but it's i'm
ports are exceeded only by those Of Shang-
hal.
A high solid wall surrounds It, In past
times it has been occupied in military fash
ion by, the British and also by the Tapping
rebels. 1t has suffered extremely in do
nestle and foreign wars.
Extensive suburbs stretch along the canal,
and the activity displayed upon the waters
gives evidence of the commercial import
ance of the place.
The largest seagoing vessels can reach
the town, SO, if necessary, an American
squadron can be dispatched to it's very
walls.
The United States, Great Britain and
some other countries have consulates there.
The American consul is Alexander Z. Jones.
The Concord and Her Officers.
The Concord is one of the eight vessels
composing the Asiatic squadron, of which
the steel cruiser Baltimore, Capt. B. F.
Day, stationed at Chefoo, is the flagship.
She is commanded by Commander j. E.
Craig. Her other officers are Lieutenant
Commander Edward P. Wood, Lieuts. Geo.
P. Colvocoresses and Vincendon l.. Cott-
man, Lieut.. Gunior grade) Albert w. Grant,
Surgeon Remus C. Persons, Paymaster Jas.
A. Ring, Chief Engineer John A. Scot,
Passed Assistant Engineer Edward r.
Freeman, Assistant Engineer Harold z.
Norton and five naval cadets. The crew
numbers $50.
1t is probable that the hunting party was
made up entirely of officers, and that they
were not in uniform.
The Concord is a steel, twfn-Screw gun
boat of ], 200 tons displacement. She has
battery of six siX-inch rifles. The other
vessels of the Asatic squadron. besides the
fagships Baltimore and the Concord, are