New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-29
WORD FROM HUNG CHANG
he SAYS THE MINISTER'S ARE WITH
THE FOREIGN FORCE. TWELVE
MILES FROM TIEN-TSIN.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUxE.l

Washington, June 2S-Minister WI read to
Secretary Hay at 3 o'clock this afternoon dis
patch he had just received from Ii Hung Chang
announcing that the legations We're with the
foreign force about twelve miles from Tfen-Tsin.
This may be later news than any press dis
patches officials are inclined to rely on its au-
thenticity which is regarded as Of at least equal
value with any information from Chinese
sources. It is inferentiaIIy of great value in
connection with Minister Wu's long cable dis
patch received yesterday from the Tsung-Li-
Yamen, under date of the 10Th, which in full
was as follows:
The Boxers are giving trouble in Peking. The
foreign legations with our consent, obtained
marines to protect them. Subsequently they
desired to increase the force, but we tried to
dissuade them from doing so, but were unsuc-
cessful
Suddenly the commandant- general in Tien-
Tsin sent dispatch to the NicerOy Of Chill
stating that the admirals of all the foreign
tions had demanded that the Ta-ku forts be
turned over TO them Immediately. This looked
like an invasion, and we communicated the fact
10 the Foreign Ministers in Peking. They are
TO leave in a short time with their guards for
Tien-Tsn.
The Government at a late hour tonight was
without any official advices from its own sources
tending either to confirm or discredit Minister
V7l1s a1pareutly sincere confidence that TIE Ie-
cations will arrive safely at Tien-Tsin with the
relief column. except Admiral Kempf's dispatch
received yesterday, saying that the Ministers
and the Peking force were reported with the
relief expedition intrenched eight miles from
Tien-Tsin. Up 10 to-day Admiral Kempff has
invariably been some hours ahead Of the other
naval commanders at Taku in his news dis
patches. and although his kilograms have been
less definite than those of his colleagues, which
came later all with one exception that he has
sent have proved correct
The State Department looks for dispatch
from Minister Conger as soon as he reaches a
line Of communication detailing the circum-
stances of his departure from Peking. If his
passports were handed to him not at his own
instance he was practically expelled from the
Chinese capital, which was tantamount to a
declaration of war by China. This is in accord
ance with American judicial decisions that the
Spanish war began when Minister Woodford
received his passports at Madrid. If Mr.. Conger
and the other Ministers asked for their passports
and safe conduct out of the country, nothing but
a riot or rebellion exists in China of such mag
nitude that the Government was powerIess to
afford adequate protection to the representatives
Of other nations. In one case the maritime
tions will continue to act concurrently for the
restoration of order. but in the other better
international understanding would become i'm
mediately essential TO the conduct Of war
against the Imperial Power at Peking.
The Navy Department received two messages
from Admiral Kempff, the first OF which was as
follows
Che-Foo. June 2s
Secretary Navy, Washington.
About 1900 foreign troops now ashore. Sol
dfers ordered should report at Taku instead Of
Che-Foo. Substituted Nashville for Yorktown at
Che-Foo Yorktown used as dispatch boat, be-
ing more suitable. KEMPFF.
The other dispatch, officials said. had no bear
ing the military situation. In neither was
there any mention Of the Ministers
A significant piece Of information furnished
by the Navy Department is the report of the
sailing Of the Scindia to-day from Gibraltar for
Cardiff for a cargo Of Welsh coal which she is
to carry back 70 Manila or China. The ship
was on her way home from Manila by the Medi-
%ar-