The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-06-09
CHINESE AID BOXERS FIGHT,
LATTER ARE sxPECTED TO REACH
THEN TsIN TO-DAY.


Admiral KemleIR and Minister Con-
ger Both Reported to Washington.
They Have Instructions to form
No Alliance with Any Power, But
TO Do All shat Is Necessary to
Protect Ameracans McCalIa May
Take COmmtuISd on Shore.
Washington. Jr4Ne s.-The following ca
blegram was received at the navy depart
ment this morning from Admiral Kempff,
on board the Newark off the Taku forts:
Yong Ku, JuI.e s. 19OO.-Battle yester-
day between Chinese and Boxers near
Tien Tsin. Large numbers of Boxers ex-
pected to reach Tien Tsin tomorrow.
"Kempff.'
Minister Conger at Pekin also has been
heard from to-day. His message to the
state department said there was no i'm
provement in the situation, and asked for
instructions. Secretary Hay took the
message to the cabinet meeting where the
answer will be framed
The state department is steadfastly pur-
suing the line of policy laid down al the
beginning of this Boxer trouble, of avoid
ing any interference with Chinese inter
nal affairs, beyond such measures as may
be absolutely necessary for the protection
of American life and property there. Es-
pecally is it determined to avoid commit
ment to the policies of any of the Euro
pean powers which might involve the
United States in trouble. Therefore, not
withs landing the ominous news conveyed
IN Admiral Kempff's cablegram, it seems
entirely probable that Minister Conger
will be directed to stick to the same line
OF policy which he has pursued up to this
time.
Not Evading Responsibility.
Tt is not TO be understood by this that
the United States government is desirous
of evading any proper measure of respon-
sbility and the State Department officials
are careful TO point out that, while retain
ing our independence of action, our gov
ernment is really acting concurrently with
the European governments respecting
this Boxer agitation. Thus. at Taku, Ad-
miral kempn is acting in a similar man
ner to the commanding officers of the for
egn navy there assembled, although his
orders are subject 10 the approval of no
one.
AT Tien Tsin, forty miles up the river.
which the Admiral expects to be attacked
tomorrow. the foreign naval commands
case of an emergency involving jeopardy
TO the lives of foreigners, the United
States forces at Tien Tsin might even be
directed in their general movement Ey
the senior naval officer ashore, even
though that officer should happen 10 be a
German, a Russian, Frenchman or an
Englishmatl. This temporary subordina-
tion of authority might be brought about,
and in fact would exist solely through a
military exigency.
McCaIIa May Take Command.
If Tien Tsin is to be attacked by a vast
horde of Boxers, it is entirely conceivable,
according to military practice, that a
successful defense of the foreign lives and
property in the city can be maintained
only through the assumption of the COM
mend of the foreign naval forces by one
competent officer; too many captains may
mean defeat.
In view of this possibility, the assump-
tion of the command of the American
forces ashore by Capt. McCalla, may be
significant. Il is an unusual course for
a captain of a ship himself to take COM
mand of landing party, as has been done
by Capt. McCalla. His rank would DOR
respond with that of a colonel of marines.
and 1t may be that he would himself be
the senior officer at Tien Tsin and thus
be obliged to assume command of the
European naval parties landed there.
The naval officers here are confident
that Tien Tsin proper, is not in partic-
ular danger. The gunboat Helena will
soon have the town under her guns, and
there are believed to be three foreign war
ships in position to cooperate.
Considered by the Cabinet.
Almost the only subject before the cabi-
net meeting to-day was the situation in
China. Secretary Hay read a cablegram
from Minister Conger at Pekin, in which
he stated that there was no Improvement
in the situation. and asked for instruc-
tons. Secretary Hay stated, after the
meeting, that a reply would be sent to
Mr.. Conger substantially reafiirming the
one sent a day or two ago. to the effect
that he will be expected to do whatever
is necessary to protect the lives of Amer
leans and their property and TO maintain
the dignity of this government. He will
be Instructed to form no alliance with
any government.
1t is understood here that the repre-
sentaGves of the Powers in Pekin will
call in a body on the Dowager Empress
and present the necessity of her taking
immediate and vigorous action to sup
press the rioters. II is assumed that Mr..
Conger will join the other representa-
tives.
1t is understood here that telegraphic
communication is interrupted between Pc
kin and Taku, a fact which will prove
embarrassing to Minister Conger should
he find it necessary to call upon Admiral
Kempff for reinforcements.