Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-26
ADMIRAL KEMFF's REPORT.
Why Ne Did Not Join Attach on Taku-Graphic
Account Of Action.

| TtpDTtS u rear <AuiillTdl NeIuDI
planning his reasons for refusing to
join with the ships of the other pow
ers in the attack on Taku forts. and
giving graphic account of the action
Rear Admiral kempff's explanation
for refusing to participate in the at
tack on Notifications of government
with which we were at peace is COM
monded by Secretary Long.
The reports are as follows:
~. s. Flagship Newark. Taku. China.
June 10, 1900.
"Sir-I would state what follows in
| regard to the happenings previous to
the resolve. yesterday. by other senior
| foreign naval officers here to get pos
session of the Taku forts.
ION Thursday. June IA, Rear Admiral
| Bruce called and asked what thought
of the matter. and informed him that
! was not authorized to initiate any act
of war with country with whom my
country was at peace. that my limit
was to protect American interests.
| both by regulations, and under recent
instructions from both the department
and from the cOmmander-in-ch OF
the United States naval force on the
Asiatic station.
''On the 18TH at consultation of the
other foreign naval officers. it was
agreed that the railroad station at
Tong ku should be taken. tthe railway
is under Chinese government controD
and in case and Chinese government
force acted against the force of any
foreign nation all should be involved
and act unitedly. Under my instruc
tons l could not join in taking pos
session of Chinese government proper
ty, and did not care to become party
to such an agreement without special
! authority.
Yesterday. June Is. the same foreign
| naval officers signed compact that
| ii was necessary to take temporary
possession of the Taku forts; and no.
tice was served on the viceroy at Tien
| Tsin. and on the commandment of the
| forts. Consuls at Tien Tsin were in
| formed Of what was contemplated.
| did not join the attack on the forts
| Captain Wise of the Monocacy has or
| ders to protect American interests,
| based upon departments orders. but in
case of attack by a Chinese govern
ment force, he was to consider it as a
declaration of war and act accord
| ingly. Very respectfully.
| LOUIS KEMPFF.
| Rear Admiral L. S. Navy
ITO the Secretary of the Navy, Wash
| ingtOn, d. c.
| ~. S. Flagship Newark. Taku
China. June 1S.-Sir: I have the honor
to report as follows: The commanding
officer of the gunboats in the river met
| on the afternoon of June 18th and
agreed for the senior officer of the gun
boats to direct the movement. This
officer happened to be Russian. The
positions for the various gunboats Were
then assigned. taking positions in the
second reach of the river above the
| North fort. The gunboats parAcipa-
| ting were the KOreetZ, Guilak Bobr
Russian; Iltis, German: Lion. French:
| Algerine, English. The English tor
pedo boat destroyers Fame and Whit
ing joined in the latter part. after Sc
| curing the captured boats near Tong
| ku. The japanese gunboat claimed
| that her engines We're disabled so she
| remained moored near Tong ku. and
was assigned charge of the railway
| station at that place. TIL L. S. S.
MonocaCy, being under orders. remain
| ed at Tong ku and took no part in the
faction. Many foreigners were afforded
shelter and protection during the night
A copy of the report of the command
ing officer of the Monocacy is herewith
| enclosed.
The vessels, except the Iltis took their
| assigned positions early in the evening
| of the 18th instant, and at about 12.55 a
NJ. one hour before the expiration of the
time limit all the fort guns which could
be trained on the ships. fired simulta-
neously, many shots striking the koreetz.
The vessels returned the fire with rapid
fire from their guns. which, with the eA-
lception of the guns of 6-inch calibre. were
all of smaller rapid-tire type. The guns
on the north fort were chiefly i.1-inch,
while on the south fort "A number of guns
from to inches in calibre.
The Algerine. having on board land
ing party of some $50 men, Immediately
put them ashore. a portion of them adj
vanced through Ia ku to the navy yard
and took by surprise four new modern
torpedo boats carrying two tubes and six
flames and Whiting. took them to Tong
Ku. The other landing parties and thu
remainder of the English, aggregatinG
some $50 men. awaited an opportune time
for assault. The fire continued with more
or less spirit until daylight, when 1t be
came very rapid and active, and, It is re
| ported. very disastrous to the Chinese
| About $50. shell entered the magaZin.
of the Guilak. blowing it up, causing hel
| TO leak ana burning ~ Hleit more OF iess
| severely. She got over an awning Gas ;
collision matt and after few hours
work was floating at her normal height
AT about ) the gunboats having
| si.enced the northwest fort, a landing
force charged and occupied it. wherein
hoisting the flag a few casualties .oc
Cured. notably the captain of the Japa
nese landing party and one English Sailo
. were killed and several wounded. Tn
Chinese then abandoned the north fort
which is Joined to the northwest fort b,
protected passage. After about tw'
a hours more the south forts We're take'
after the explosion of the magazine. Mos
:. of the occupants fled. but were not pur
sued Some 80 or 10 were found hiding il
various of the forts The various nation
. participating hoisted their flags on tn
various flag stats.
THE forts being of thick mud am
grass. were but little damaged by tn
gun fire. although they received host o
Drojecties. The guns and gun shield
, as a rule were not damaged. Two o
three of the modern guns were disabled
The dead Chinese Were not counted
l. but it is estimated by eye witnesses tina
v some 200 dead were left in the fort. Tn
e loss on the side of the allied forces was
=. as nearly as possible. as follows:
Z "Algerine-One officer very badly in
i. jured; men wounded.
II 'Iltis-Captain very badly injured
T. three or four men killed; six or eigh
81 wounded.
q "Kornettz-Two officers badly wounded
!. men dead: u wounded.