The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-08-02
NO ORDERS TO FIRE
Reason Why Kempff Did Not Attack
Chinese Forts.
Ills COURSE WARMLY COMMENDED.
fe Gives Satisfactory Reasons Why
He Did Not Participate in the Attack
on the Taku Forts.

Washington, D. c., Special-The ma
w Department has made public the
mail report of Rear Admiral Kempff,
explaining his reasons for refusing to
join with the ships of the powers in the
attack on the Taku forts. Rear Ad-
miral Kemptf's explanation for refus-
ing to participate in the attack on the
Notifications of a power with which
we are at peace was warmly commend
ed by Secretary Long. Admiral
Kempffs first report says:
On Thursday, June IA, Rear Admiral
Bruce called and asked what thought.
Of the matter and l informed him that
I was not authorized to initiate any
act of war, with any country with
which my country was at peace; that
I would protN,t American interests.
both by regulations and under recent
instructions from both the Navy De-
partment and from the commander-in-
chief of the United States naval force
ON the Asiatic station.
"On the 18th, at consultation Of the
other foreign naval officers, 1t was
agreed that the railroad station at
Tong Ku should be taken (the railway
is under Chinese government controD
and in case any Chinese government
force acted against the force Of any for
eign nation, all should be involved and
act unitedly. Unguided by instructions
1 could not join in taking possession of
Chinese government property and did
not care to become a party to such an
agreement without special authority.
| June 16uk the same naval officers
signed compact that 1t was necessary
to take temporary possession of the
/ Taku forts and notice was served on
the viceroy at Tien-Tsin and on the
commandant Of the forts. Consuls at
Tien-Tsin were informed OF what was
contemplated. did not join in the at
tack on the forts. Captain Wise, OF
the Monacacy, had orders to protect
American interests based upon the De-
partment's orders, but in case Of attack
| by Chinese government force, he was
| fffito consider it declaration OF war
and act accordingly"
A second report says: "The com.
manding officers OF the gun-boats in
the river met on the afternoon Of June
16 and agreed for the senior officer OF
the gunboats to direct the movement.
This officer happened to be a Russian,
The positions for the various boats
were then assigned, taking positions
in the second reach Of the river above
North Fort. The United States steam
ship Monacacy being under orders re-
mained moored at Tong Ku and took
no part in the action.
"The Algerne, having aboard land
ing party of some $50 men, immediate
ly put them ashore. A portion of them
advanced through Taku to the navy
yard, and took by surprise four new
modern torpedo boats, carrying two
tubes and six three-pounders each. and
conveyed by the Fame and Whiting,
took them to Tong Ku. The other
landing parties and the remainder OF
the English, aggregating some $50,
awaited an opportunity f:r assault.
The firing continued with more or less
spirit until daylight when it became
very rapid and active, and, it IS report
ed, very disastrous to the Chinese.
About 430 shell entered the magazine
of the Guilak, blowing it up, causing
her to take water and burning AZ men
more or less severely. She got over an
awning (as a collision matt and after
a few hour work was floating at her
normal height.
About a. m, the gunboats having
silenced the northwest fort, a landing
force charged and occupied it, where
hosting the flag. a f;w casualties oc-
CURED, notably the captain Of the Ja-
panese landing party, and one English
sailor killed and several wounded. The
Chinese then abandoned North Fort,
which is joined in the northwest fort
by protected passage. After abou.
two hours more the south forts were
taken, after the explosion of the mag
azine. Most Of the occupants fec, but
were Lot pursued"