Evening journal., 1900-07-27
LiHuDg Chang SLegatiOnS
Have Left POkiR
SEYMOUR ARRIVES At SHANGHAI
Held That Act Of War Was Com,
mitted When Forts Fired on
MOROcacy


no developments yesterday to warrant
the assumption that there has been
the slightest improvement in the Chi
nese situation. Indeed, the general
tendency of such news as found light
was to add to the steadily growing
doubt as to the good faith Of the Chi
nese government as manifested In its
acts. A letter from Admiral Kempff
given publicity by the navy depart
ment, made the direct statement that
the imperial authorities we're in SYM
pathy with the Boxers, though he add
ed that the government was afterward
paralyzed and incapable of controlling
the situation. The admirars letter,
dated Taku, June 20, is as follows.
Referring to my recent action in
declining to take part in the seizure Of
the Taku forts and in afterward max
ing common cause with the foreign
forces in the protection of life and
property, I would respectfully state
that the Chinese government is now
paralyzed, and the secret edicts show
that it is in sympathy with the Boxers.
Tho fact that under the existing
circumstances the troops at the forts
were given much extra drills, torpe-
u
planted insthe entrance Of the Pei Ho,
was considered menacing and by other
senior naval officers sufficient cause TO
justify them in demanding the tempo
rary occupation of the forts. This cul-
minated in the bombardment of the
forts by other foreign gunboats. In
this bombardment the Monocacy was
fired upon and struck without having
1T is now necessary to join with the
other foreign powers for common de-
fense and preservation of foreign peO-
pie and the honor of the country.
Il refused to join in taking posses
sion Of the Imperial Chinese railway
station and also declined to join in
the demand for temporary occupation
of the Taku forts, for 1 thought it
against the policy and wishes of our
government to be entangled with other
foreign powers in such a step. The
Chinese government had not commit
ted, so far as l am aware. any act of
open hostilities toward the foreign
armed fnrces.
"In opening fire without warning an
act of war was committed, when many
shots were fired at the place where the
Monocacy was moored-about 5000
yards from the forts"
This was the first official declaration
10 reach our government contradictory
of the Chinese representations that the
imperial government bad steadfastly
and from the first opposed the Boxer
movement. and our government is
bound to accept the word of its own
officer until that is overcome by ire
fragable proof Then, tho exchanges
that are in constant progress between
the powers are tending more and more
TO cast suspicion upon the genuineness
of the many communications that have
come from Pekin through Chinese gov
ernmental sources. If it should be
finally established that there has been
an attempt on their part to practice
a gigantic fraud upon the world the
fact may call for change of attitude
on the part of the United States gov
ernment toward China.
The navy department yesterday con-
tributed a brief news item IN the shape
of vindication by Admiral Remey OF
the United States marines from the
general charge of looting at Tien Tsin
1t Is said that the cablegram reCeiv-
ed by the navy department from Ad-
miral Remey contained no statement
as to when the forward movement OF
the allied armies on PeSin was to be
made. In a measure this was a dis
appointment 10 the officials. who
dread delay in a united advance for the
relief Of the legationers. Accordine
TO the naval authorities Admiral
Remeys dispatch likewise gave no in.
formation of the present strength oil
the foreign troops now ready to be.
gin the campaign. although it is moi
thought here that they are numerous
enough to force their way to the Chi.
nese capital and successfully encounter
the opposition which it is feared will
be met on the way there. The esti.
mates furnished two weeks ago b,
Admiral Kemph for the China cam.
paign contemplated an army of GO.OOl
men for the march to Pekin. and 90 90,
to guard the bases Of supplies at TAX,
and Tien Tsin and keep open the line.
Of communication. Nothing like thi.
number Of men are yet in the field.