New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-24
CONES FROM KENPFF.
PURPOSE OF THE POWERS ANNOUNCED
AMERICAN MARINES FIGHT
ING AT TIEN-TSIN.

INCT Al 1lEN-ISlN.
Washington. June 23-The following cable
dispatch from Admiral Kempfr was received at
the Navy Department late this afternoon:
Che-Foo June % 1900.
Secretary Navy Washington.
Proclamation issued Doth The admirals and
senior naval officers of the allied Powers in
China desire in the name of their Governments
to let it be known to all the vceroys and the
thorities of coast and river provinces and cities
in China that they intend TO use armed force
only against the Boxers and those people who
oppose them in the march to Peking for the
KEMPFF.
The Department this morning received dis
patch from Admiral Kempff, saying that
gagement was then in progress between the
United States marines and other forces against
the Chinese army outside of Tien-Tsln. The
following bulletin was issued by the Depart
ment:
Acting Secretary Hackett has this morning
ceived a dispatch from Admiral Kemph. dated
Che Foo, June %. to the effect that our marines
under Major Waller, together with four hun
dred Russians. have had an engagement with
the Chinese army near Tien-Tsin. They could
not break through the lines. A force numbering
two thousand. the Admiral reports is ready
to make another attempt.
STIR CAUSED BY THE NEWS.
Admiral Kempff's dispatch sent thrill of
pectancy throughout official circles here. Other
details, but these were not made public. they
did not shed light on the engagement itself. The
official information gave no clew however. as to
the casualties which may have been suffered by
the American forces. and this taken to nd-
cate that the loss little or nothing.
Major Waller in command of the American
marines in the fight. is known here brave
and efficient officer whose coolness and daring
were displayed in the battle of Santiago. when
~ MI
marines referred to in the dispatch are the 130
men taken by the Solace from Manila at the
first call for renforcements
Admiral Kempffs statement that the engage
ment with the Chinese army at first
caused some solicitude. for it was thought that
the imperial forces, and not the Boxers were
fighting the foreign troops. Later. however the
view prevailed that the Admiral had used the
words Chinese army as a convenient means of
expressing the Chinese opposition encountered
without intending to declare that the imperial
troops were fighting. The view of the Admins
tration is that the dispatches are not of a suffi-
GENTLY definite character TO show that with
China is in existence.
PEKING LEGATIONS REPORTED SAFE.
The anxiety the situation at Peking was
somewhat relieved when the State Department
received a letter from the Chinese Minister, Mr..
WI. stating that he was advised by cable from
the Viceroy Of Nan5in that the legations at
Peking safe. What means of information
the Viceroy of Nankin has is not known, but the
authorities here were none the less grateful for
this reassuring word. The alarming press dis
patches from Shanghai were accepted with much
reserve by the officials. But in quarters likely
to be thoroughly advised the Shanghai state
ment that Prince Tuan was in charge of por-
ton Of the Chinese troops was regarded as ac-
curate. II this is established beyond doubt the
situation may become even more acute than at
present Prince Tuan is the father of the
heir apparent and one of the officials closest to
the Empress DOwager.
The Shanghai statement Of a practical Anglo
American alliance elected an expression of in
dignaton from the officials here. who have
grown weary Of explaining that there is abso-
lutely such alliance, but simply parallel ac-
tion by this and other governments toward the
common end Of the preserving of life and prop
erty.
The Navy Department received dispatch
this morning announcing the arrival of the
Solace at Nagasaki. Japan. No explanation is
given at the Department as to why she went
over to Nagasak instead of remaining with the
American fleet at Taku but is believed that she
made the trip to the japanese port for the pur-
pose Of being in more direct cable communica-
tion with the Department, 1t the original
plan to have the Solace put Major Walters ma
rines ashore at Taku and continue homeward
but, in view Of the critical state of affairs in
China it is probable that she will remain with
the rest Of the fleet at Taku and be used as a
transport or dispatch boat The Department
may find it necessary TO send duplicate messages
TO Kempf via Nagasak. and the Solace could
carry dispatches back and forth and establish
direct communication with the Department in
| this way
REMEY CALLS FOR OFFICERS.
Admiral Remey. at Cavite has sent to the
Navy Department an urgent request for more
officers. He wants three commanders. four lieu
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