The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-07-25

washington. July 25.-The following
cablegram has been received at the navy
department.:
Chez Foo. July a.-Navigation Bureau.
washington. Written message, signed
Conger. dated July 4th. received. ITEM
Tsin. 21st, says: -
..Been besieged two weeks. British le-
CATION. Grave danger, general massacre
by Chinese soldiers, who are shelling ie-
cation daily.
"Relief soon, II at all.
"city without government except by
Chinese army.
"DetermIncd massacre all foreigners.
Pekin. Entry relief forces into city prob
ably will be hotly contested.
(signedD THOMAS"
The message comes from Capt. Chas. NJ.
Thomas. commander OF the Brooklyn.
WARMLY COMMENDED.
washington, July 25.-The navy de-
partment today made public the mail re-
ports of Rear Admiral .kempff explain
ing his reasons for refusing TO join with
the ships Of the other powers in the at
tack on the Taku forts and giving an ac-
count of the attack which includes many
details not heretofore published.
Admiral Kempff also encloses the re-
port OF Commander Wise Of the Monoca-
cy, giving graphic account of the ac-
ton. Rear Admiral Kempff's explanation
for refusing to participate In the attack
on the fortiications of a power with
which We are at peace is warmly COM
mended by Secretary Long.
The reports are as follows:
KEMPFFs REPORT.
u. S. Flagship Newark. Taku. China.
June IL, 1900:
Sir: = First Would state what follows
in regard to the happenings previous to
the resolve yesterday by other senior
foreign officers hero to get possession OF
the Taku forts.
Second-On. Thursday. July II. Rear Ad-
miral Bruce called and asked what I
thought of the matter, and 1 Informed
him that was not authorized to initiate
any act of war with a country with whom
my country was at peace. that my limit
was to protect American interests, both
by regulations. and under recent instruc-
tions from both the department and from
the commander-in-chief OF the United
States naval force on the Asiatic station.
Third--On the 18th at a consultation of
the other foreign naval officers II was
agreed that the railroad station at Tong
I<u should be taken (the railway is un-
der Chinese government controD, and In
case any Chinese government force acted
against the force of any foreign nation.
all should be involved and act unitedly.
Under my instructions, could not join
in taking possession OF chinese govern
ment property, and did not care to be-
come a party to such an agreement with
out special authority.
Fourth-Yesterday. June 16 the foreign
naval officers signed compact that IL
was necessary TO take temporary posses
sion of the Taku forts; and notice was
served on the viccroy at Tien-Tsin, and
on the commandant Of the forts.
Consuis at Tien-Tsin were informed
OF what was contemplated. I did not
ioIn I'm the attack on the forts. Capt
Wise OF the Monocacy had orders to pro-
tect American interests, based upon de-
partment's orders, but In case of attack
by a Chinese government force he was 20
consider Il as n declaration of war and
act accordingly. Very respectfully,
(Signed) LOUIS KEMPFF.
Rear Admiral u. g. Navy.
To the secretary Of the navy. Washing
ton, ID. c.;
DETAILS OF THE BoMBARDMENT.
Sir: I have tho honor to report as fol-
lows:
The commanding officers OF the gun
boats I'm the river met on the afternoon
OF June 10th and agreed for the So
nior officer of tho gunboats 10 direct the
movements. Th& officer happei ed to be
a Russian.
The positions for. the various eunboats
were then assigned, taking positions 10