The evening times., 1900-07-16

Official confirmation OF the killing OF
Colonel Liscum. of the Ninth Regiment,
and Captain Davis, of the Marine Corps.
and Of heavy losses in killed and wound
ed among the rank and file OF the allied
forces at Tientsin, was received at the
Navy Department this morning from Ad-
miral Remey. The despatch given below
was received without punctuation. seare-
tary Long fears that Captain Lemly also
was killed, but the Bureau Of Navigation
| officials interpret the message as meaning
that all those named except Liscum we're
wounded. Admiral Remey's despatch fol-
lows:
'Chefoo, July Is.
Bureau OF Navigation. Washington:
Reported that allied forces attack
ed native city (Tientsin) morning 18Th,
Russians right. with Ninth infantry
and marines on left. Losses allied
forces large; Russians over 100 in
Guiding artillery colonel; Americans,
over 30; British. over 40: Japan. IS;
including colonel; French. 25: Colonel
Liscum, Ninth Infantry. killed, also
Captain Davis, Marine Corps; Captain
Lemly, Lieutenants Butler and Leon
ard wounded At in the evening
allied attack on native city repulsed
with great loss. Returns yet incom-
plete; details not yet confirmed.
"REMEY."
The official announcement Of the deaths
of Colonel Liscum and others Of the Amer
can forces. as reported by Admiral Remey.
was received with horror by the Govern
ment officials, and for a time it was hard
l. known what steps would be taken. Ad-
jutant General Corbin stated that it vas
not proper to give the despatch out. since
it was but a rumor and that he was in
clined to discredit the statements made.
At the Navy Department 1t was said
that the despeJch was all fact. as Admiral
| Remey was not a man who forwarded Wild
rumors to his Government. especially in
such a serious matter as this. which would
! shock-the country and excite the people.
Secretary Root and Secretary Long be-
lieve that the statements in the message
must be true or Admiral Remey would
not have sent them on.
Secretary Hay. Secretary Long. Secre-
tary Root. and Lieutenant General Miles
held a conference at II O'Clock and dis
cussed the message. General Miles said
later that he recommended forwarding
5000 more men to China at once. but Sec
retary Root would not agree to sending
any more troops at the present time.
A Cabinet official who returned from
Canton yesterday, where he visited the
President. called at the State Department
today and held council with Secretary Hay.
After the interview, in speaking Of the
effect Of the Remey despatch. he said.
No Declaration of War.
q am authorized to state that the United
States Will not declare a state of war ex-
isting in China. and that there will be no
declaration of war, even though the present
trouble lasts for two years more. This is
the Presidents decision"
When asked If the killing OF Mr. Conge-
Colonel Liseum. Captain Davis. and others
would not have some effect in changing
this decision, he replied. No not even
though every American soldier now in Chi
ma dies fighting there. We can only send
more men. we cannot declare war;.
The news has awakened the officials 70
the fact that the Chinese troops are good
fighters and are well armed. The killing
of three colonels-one Of the artillery arm
shows that they are marksmen and the
danger is regarded as being more critical
today than ever
Special Cabinet Meeting
a special meeting Of the Cabinet was
called after reply to the Remey despatch
had been received from the President
Secretaries Hay. Root. Long. and Gage
with Postmaster General Smith attended
being the only members now in the city
II is understood that the matter of an
preparations was discussed and the advisa-
bility of calling an extra session OF Con-
gress. The serious aspect of the Chinese
situation has been forced to the fore ard
1t is said that some immediate action will
result. 1t is feared that unless this is done
the Administration Will be called to ac-
count and it is preferred that an extra
session of Congress should be called than
that the American people should truthfully
charge laxity.
The President was a party to the con-
ference, giving his views to the Cabinet
over the long-distanee telephone. 1t was
admitted by one member. after the meet
ing that for the first time, the proposi
tion of an extra session was seriously dis
cussed. He further admitted that every
member present had agreed to the extra
session and that the matter was now en-
tirely in the hands OF Mr. Mckinley for
action. The crest loss of Americans. to-
gether with the Outrages on the diplomatic
representatives. have brought about
great change.
1t was admitted at the State Denart-
ment that Secretaries Hay. Root. Long
Gage, and Postmaster General Smith have
recommended to the President that
an extra session of Congress ba