The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-08
CRISIS IN CHINA AT HAND
THE SITUATION RAPIDLY GROWING
MORE SERIOUS.
FIGHTING WITH BOXERS BEGUN
The Rioters Continue to Murder and
to Destroy Property Members of
Legations Sending Their Families
From Pekin-Russia's Landing of
Troops Suspended-Japan Mobilizing
Her Warships-Another american
warship Ordered to Taken.

Shanghai June 6.-The soldiers dis
patched to attack the Boxers have
fought an engagement quite close to
Pekin. Many were killed on both sides
In consequence of the representa-
| tions of Japan, the landing of large
| Russian force at Taku is alleged to
have been stopped. 1t is believed here
that should Russia persist in sending
a prepondering military force to the
| front collision with Japan will fnev-
itably result.
Alarming reports are current here
of the hurried completion of the mo-
bilization of the Japanese fleet.
The Russian minister at Pekin, NJ.
deGeirs, has made another attempt to
| induce the Chinese foreign office to
| formally request Russian assistance to
restore order, but the offer has not
yet been accepted.
| Violent disSenSions are reported to
exist between the Chinese commander
| in-chief of the forces, Jung Iu, and
Prince Ching Tuan, who, in accord
| ance with the wishes of the dowager
empress, is strongly supporting the
| cause of the Boxers.
lish missionaries, Robinson and Nor
, man, mutilated and disemboweled the
| bodies
The station at Yam Tin, three miles
from Pekin, has been burned.
The British minister, Sir Claude Mac
Donald, is reported to be quite ill.
ANOTHER WARSHIP ORDERED
TO CHINA.
Washington, June 6.-Minister Con-
4
| situation was worse at Pekin, and this
| statement, taken in connection with
| Admiral Kempffs alarming cablegram
| of yesterday, announcing that an en-
gagement had begun, decided the state
| department to strengthen the naval
forces nearest the scene Of the trouble
| Accordingly, cablegram was sent to
Admiral Remey at Manila directing
| him to dispatch at once to Admiral
| Kempff's command the gunboat Helena
| or If that craft is not at Manila and
| ready for immediate service, then some
craft of correspondingly light draft
| and power.
| The purpose is to place at Admiral
Kempff's disposal an efficient warship
| capable of ascending the Pei Ho river
as far up as Tier Tsin. Admiral
! Kempff's flagship, the Newark draw
ing twenty-three feet of water, cannot
ascend the river safely beyond the
Taku forts near the entrance, but the
little Helena, drawing only eleven feet,
can safely ascend to Tien Tsin, forty
miles above.
She was especially designed for ser
vice in these Chinese rivers and so is
| likely to prove much more effective
than any other of the foreign warships
which can pass the Taku forts and
reach Tien Tsin. She carries a battery
particularly adapted to dealing with
such half organized mobs as the
Boxers. Beside her eight 4-inch rapid
fire guns. she carries four 6-pound
rapid-firers, four one-pound rapid
frers, two Colts and one 3-inch rapid
fire field gun. She is commanded by
Commander Swinburne' and her COM
plement is ten officers and 166 men.
In view of the service ahead Of her
it is expected that Admoral Remey
will add to this one or two companies
of marines. If the Helena leaves Ma
Mia today she should reach Taku next
Sunday night or Monday morning.
Secretary Hay cabled Minister Con-
ger at Pekin an authorization to call
for reinforcements from Admiral
Kempff and to make such disposition
of his naval force as he deems proper
to protect the American legation and
consulates and American interests
generally.
The administration is still deter
| mined that the United States govern
| | HSnI Snail continue on It's lnQeDendent
, course respecting the Chinese situation
though willing to go as far as possible
to aid in the restoration of peace and
order in China. Therefore, Admiral
Kempff has not been instructed to join
the naval commanders in the Pei He
river in concerted action.
MEMBERS OF LEGATIONS SEND
ING THEIR FAMILIES FROM
PEKIN.
cial from Shanghai, dated June 9Th
, says the members of the majority OF
legations at Pekin, including the mem
bers of the British legation, are send
ing their families away. 1t is also said
that several prominent Chinese resi-
dents are leaving the city.
A special from Shanghai, dated June
9Th, says: There is an unconfirme6
report that two Russian engineers have
been murdered at Yu Chow Flu, north.
east of Port Arthur, after their wives
had been outraged. The total damage
done to the Chinese railroads by the
Boxers is now estimated at 5000, ,OO0 >
NEARING A CRISIS.
London, June 7.-Affairs in China are
gradually working up to crisis Of the
first magnitude. The morning papers
= think that the British squadron is rec.
ognized as inferior In strength to the
, Russian, as we'll as the japanese.
? The Daily Telegraph says: 1--WE re-
/ gret that Great Britain is too much
occupied in South Africa to settle tn,
| Chinese business with a strong hand
The Pekin correspondent of Tn,
: Times, telegraphing yesterday, says
mo train either left or arrived at Pc
: kin yesterday CTuesday). Further dam
age to railways is reported. TheBoxe
| movement is spreading unchecke,
throughout the province. Not on,
Boxer has yet been arrested or pun
2 ished Anxiety. is increasing regardin,
: the fate of the missionaries at the va
! ! rious stations. At the meeting Of tn
|, | Tsung Ii Yamen yesterday (Tuesday
| YoDa~aS1 ynipjcfor ra;c,rceaI -