New-York tribune., 1900-07-01
MINISTER'S IN PEKING.
REPORTED SAFE AS LATE AS
JUNE 20.
ORDERED TO LEAVE THE CHINESE CAP
ITAL, THEY REFUSED TO Co
ADVICES FROM -FOUR DIFF
FERENT SOURCES
FERENT SOURCES.


FERENT SOURCES
Washington June 3O.-For the first time since
the break of communication with Tien-Tsin
news came to-day Of the foreign Ministers in
China which the officials accept as accurate
Assurances coming from four separate sources
that the Ministers are in Pe1ing seem to re-
move all doubt that point. The Navy De-
partnent received the following dispatch from
Admiral Kempff:
Che-Foo. Jur 80
Secretary Navy, Washington:
Ministers at Peking were given twenty-four
hours TO leave or the 10Th. They refused and
are stin there The Peking relief forces got
troops the 18th. McCalla was in command
Four were killed and twenty-five wounded
McCalla and Ensign Taussig wounded, but not
seriously.
Now over 14.OO0 troops ashore Commander
Wise commands at Tong-Ku. in charge of trans
elittes find 1t necessary to make use of some
civilians TO operate railway, KEMPFF.
The following dispatch was received from
United States Consul Ragsdale at Tien-Tsin.
dated June %, being the first communication
received from that officer in nearly two weeks:
Siege Of Tien-Tsin raised. Troops sent for the
relief OF the legations returned. In vain. Fight
killed thirty-eight wounded. On the 1911.
cable dispatch received at the State De-
partment from Ambassador Choate at London
said that the foreign Ministers were safe at
Peking June 25. Mr.. WI, the Chinese Min
lister here. had private advices to the same
effect, which he brought to the attention of the
State Department.
NO CHANGE IN AMERICAN POLICY.
Not one Of the messages gives the slightest
intimation Of the reason why the Ministers
failed TO leave the Chinese capital when days
time given tc them in which to do so. One
assumption is that the Ministers declined be-
cause they would have gone out of Peking to
certain massacre by the hordes Of Boxers out
side. Another is that they declined to go until
the other foreigners were safely removed
something beyond the capacity or inclination of
the Tsung-li-Yannen TO accomplish
But in the absence Of the facts the Govern
ment to-day determined 70 proceed on the lines
already laid down. namely, that the Ministers
are in Peking in need OF help. The Navy
and War departments will continue the plans
set afoot for the dispatch TO Peking Of an ex
petition TO bring away the Ministers. Cab
met council to-day decided this point, and did
so with all Of the official dispatches before them,
as well as with knowledge Of the contents OF
the press dispatches from China. The decision
amounts to a practical declaration that as yet
there is nothing official that will warrant the
assumption that the Chinese Government itself
directed the uprising and attack.
Secretary Hay gave his personal attention to
the situation, though still far from recovered
from his attack Of illness yesterday. He is still
hopeful that satisfactory and honorable out
come Of the present difficulties will be found
Apparently the Chinese Minister holds to the
same belief and this with his personal knowl-
edge Of the actual sentiments OF the Tsung-H-
Yamen.
Secretary Hay came to his office at noon, being
tie senior Cabinet officer IN town. In the Presi-
dents absence. he sent Immediately for the Sec
retary Of War and the Secretary Of the Navy
These officials responded at once, and Cabinet
council was held IN Secretary Hays Office OF
course, the Chinese situation the subject OF
discussion Al the dispatches received were
carefully considered. The conclusion reached
was that nothing has developed warranting
change Of policy az this stage. SO 1t was de-
dded that further instructions should be sent
To The naval commander in China, nor have more
troops been ordered there.
THE WOUNDED OFFICERS
Captain Bowman H. McCaIla the wounded
eozBaander Of the American detachment, per-
formed daring and effective service during the
spanis*-Anerican War When he commanded
The cruiser Marblehead at Guantanamo, his
landing party shelled the adjacent woods and
assisted the marines In dispensing the superior
iorce Of the enemy. For his conspicuous ser
vices ne was promoted several files. Since 1899
ne has commanded the cruiser Newark, the nag
ship of the Asatic Squadron.
Ensign Joseph K. Taussig, another OF the
"oanded, is a Washington boy and son Of Com
n'ender Edward D. Taussig, now In command
Of the gunboat Yorktown. he has n reputation
rs an athlete He appointed 20 the Naval
Academy IN 1895. and his promotion to the
grade O. ensign Is Of recent date. He has been
attached 70 the Newark aince FEBRUARY, 1899
a CHANCE TO SAVE TIE OREGON
~onaon. July Ia speciai dispatch from
Shanghai. dated June 30 Saturday, says that
al on board the United States battlesh.p oregon
which Vert ashore in the Gulf Of Pe-chi-L
have been saved.