Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1900-06-27
)DEFI1 i HE / w Y O::R /
Chinese Forts at Taku Fire on In
ternational Fleet. ~
Former Are Snblued and Occupied
flour Hundred Chinese Report
i cd killed-Relief Column
Reaches Pekins..

London, June s'19.-Hostilities have
begun in earnest in China by the battle
I between the Chinese forts and the al
lied fleet at Taku. In the battle 20 Eu-
ropeans are reported to have been
killed and 81 wounded. A Russian gun
boat was blown up. The British gun
boat Algerine and the German warship
]tlis were badly damaged, two British
merchant vessels sunk, two forts blown
| up, the rest captured at the point of the
bay onet by landing parties, and several
| hundred Chinese soldiers killed.
Fort. Open Fire.
The Shanghai correspondent of the
Daily Mail, telegraphing Monday, says:
1.-The forts began firing in observance to
| orders from Peking, conveyed in a per-
| sonal edict of the empress dowager, by
advice of Kang vi. president of the min
! fstry of war. Several warships were
struck by shells from the Pinch guns of
the forts :,
-Four hundred Chinese are reported to
have been killed. The Chinese. when re-
| treating, fell into the hands of the Rus
sian land force"
Hundreds Masxacred.
The Peking correspondent of the
Times, in dispatch dated June IA, via
Tien-Tsin, June IS, says:
"A serious anti-foreign outbreak took
place last night, when some of the finest
buildings in the eastern part of the city
were burned and hundreds of native
Christians and servants employed by for
eigners were maSsacred within two miles
of the imperial palace. 1t was an anxious
night for all foreigners, who were collect
@ the nf no
guards. The Boxers burned the Roman
Catholic East cathedral, the large build
ings of the London mission and the
American board of missions, and also the
buildings in the eastern part of the city
occupied by the foreign employees of the
maritime customs
London, June 2O.-A dispatch from
Shanghai announces that the United
States transport Thomas. with troops
for Manila, was diverted at Nagasaki
and has arrived at Taku with 1900
men.
Relief for Picking.
London, June 21.-A news agency
dispatch from Shanghai, dated June
20, says:
After an arduous march and frequent
fighting with the Chinese, Vice Admiral
Seymour arrived at Picking Sunday after
noon. On five occasions the Chinese at
tackled the column in great force. There
nese, but most of the natives were badly
armed. At times they fought with ad-
mirable courage and bravery. The losses
of the Chinese during the march are es-
timated at 500 killed. The losses of the
foreigners were trif1ing.
THE exact state of affairs inside Picking
1t is impossible to describe, in view of
the many conflicting reports, nothing hav-
ing been received from the legations or
foreigners there.
Surprise is expressed at the fact that
a large force Of Indian troops has not
been ordered here
Still Unveriffed.
London, June 21.-The reports of
Admiral Seymour's arrival at Picking
and of the safety of the foreign lega-
tions, originating from Chinese
sources and cabled to- this city from
Shanghai" are STIFF unverifed.> How
ever, the Italian counsel at Shanghai
has wired to the Italian foreign MINI
lister, Marquis Vinconti-Venosta, that
the legations are safe.
Rebellion Spreads.
The rebellion is spreading far and
wide. There is an impression in diplo-
matte circles here and on the CONT
nent that the allies have not yet CRAP
pied with the situation effectively,
and that even $4,000 troops would be
powerless to do much to control 4,OO0,-
600 square miles.
The latest story sent out by the
Shanghai gossips is that Prince Tuan,
president of the Tsung-li- Yamen, has
burned the imperial palace at Picking
and murdered the emperor, and that
the empress dowager has committed
suicide.
Dispatch from Kempff.
Washington, June 21.-The navy de-
partment has just given out the fol-
lowing statement regarding the con-
tents OF dispatch from Admiral
Kempff, brought from Taku to Che
foo and forwarded by Commander
Taussig, of the Yorktown:
''The department has received a cable
gram from Admiral Kempff, dated June
20 He says the Taku forts were cap
tured by the other foreign forces: that
heavy firing was heard at Tien-Tsin on
the evening of the 18th inst. He is max
ing common cause with the foreign powers
for; general protection. There are 800
Americans ashore. On May 81 the num-
Der of foreign troops at Peking was 40
There are 5000 men ashore now at Che
700 and about 5000 troops, Russian; Ger
man and English, have Just arrived"
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