The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-24

Hackett has this morning received q dis
patch from Admiral Kempfr. dated Che
foo. June g. TO the effect that our marines.
under Mai Walter. together with 100
Russians. have had an engagement with
the Chinese army near Tientsin- They
could not break through the line. A force
numbering 2.co the admiral reports. is
now ready 10 make another attempt"
The main Importance OF this dispatch
is Admiral Kempfrs disclosure that II is
tho Chinese army and not the Boxers"
who are fighting the foreign troops. Ad-
mirai KempN's specific statement that the
engagement was with the Chinese army
at first caused some solicitude among off,
cials. for this was the first positive Of
ficial statement that the imperial forces
OF China and not the Boxers were rght-
ting the foreign troops. Later, however.
the view obtained that the admiral had
used the words Chinese army as q
handy means OF expressing the Chinese
force and not intending TO officially de-
clare that the imperial troops were fight
ing. The view OF the administration Is
that tho dispatches are not yet OF a suf
ficcntly defnits character 20 show that
any war with China Is IN existence.
Chinese Prince Is Fighting.
The anxiety over the situation at Pe-
king was somewhat relieved when the
state department received letter from
the Chinese minister, Mr.. WI. stating
that he was advised by cable from the
yiceroy of Nankin that the legations at
Peking are safe. The alarming press dis
patches from Shanghai were accepted
with much reserve by the officials. But
in quarters likely 10 be thoroughly ad-
vised the Shanghai statement that Prince
Tuan was in charge OF a portion of the
Chinese troops, was credited as accurate.
II is established beyond doubt that the
situation may become even more acute
than at present, as Prince Tuan IL the
father Of the heir-apparent and one Of
the officials closest Identified with the
empress dowager.
No AnaIo-Am mertcan Alliance.
The Shanghai statement OF a practical
anglo American alliance" elected an ex-
preston from the officials here. who have
grown weary OF explaining that there Is
absolutely no such alliance. The autheri-
ties here are using the utmost endeavor
to bring officers from every available
point 10 meet the requirements Of Ad-
miral Remey, The navy department re-
ceived n dispatch this morning announc-
ing the arrival OF the Solaee at Maya
saki, Japan. No explanation Is given at
the department as to why she went over
20 Nagasaki instead Of remaining with
the American feet at Taku.s but II II be-
lieved she made the trip to the japan
port for the purpose ot being In tele-
graphic communication with the depart
inent. II was the original plan 10 have
the Solace put Mai Walters marines
ashore at Taku and continue homeward
10 the United States. bat in view OF III.
critical state Of affairs in China IL Is
probable that she viii remain with the
rest OF the Taku fee, aud te used as a
transport or \ dispatch boat
philippine Troops Delayed.
The only news given oat AT the war de-
rartment today. having any bearing on
the situation IN China, was dispatch
from Gen. NacAruthur. announcing a
further delay In tho departure % the mill
tary reinforcement. 70 China. The mes
sage is as follows.
"CHEEFOo. June 2a,--Eecrethry Navy.
Washington. Proclamation issuei sath.
The admirals and senior naval officers
or the allied powers IN China desire II.
IN she name Of their governments TO hr
known 70 the viceruya ard authorities
of the coast and river provinces and cities
IN China that they intend 80 rse armed
force Only against the noxers and thoss
reople who oppose them IN The march "a
peking Tor ths rescue a their fellow
'''' ''' "KEMPFF."
Forming Plans for R~ii-f
The officials are very much chagrtnei