The age-herald., 1900-06-25
CHINESE KILL FOUR AMERICANS WaHis Command Ambushed
 Near Tien Tsin, SEVEN SOLDIERS WOUNDED First Official News of Shedding
 of American Blood. THE BROOKLYN ORDERED TO TAKU
THE BROOKLYN ORDERED TO TAKU
Admiral Memphis Report Has Caused the Gravest Concern Among Off cials-Force of 2,OOO Men
 to Relieve Tien Tsin

Washington, June A.-The navy depart ment this afternoon issued the following bulletin:
 "A telegram from Admiral Kempf,
 dated Che Foo, June A, says
 In ambuscade near Tien Tsin on the
 Fist, four of Walters command were
 killed and seven wounded. Names will
 be furnished as soon as received. Force
 of two thousand going to relieve Tien
 Tsin today KEMPFF."
 The Secretary of the Navy has ordered Admiral Remey to go with the Brooklyn to Taku and to tender to General Macarthur conveyance of any army troops which the Brooklyn can carry.
 Admiral Memphis dispatch giving the first definite news of the first shedding of American blood on Chinese soil came early this morning, and was turned over to Sec retary Long soon as he arrived at the department. With Admiral Crowinshield, the secretary carried the dispatch to the White House, where, on the Presidents re- turn from church, it was laid before him. The determination thereupon was reached to order Admiral Remey, in command of the Asiatic squadron, from Manila to Taku, on board of the armored cruiser Brooklyn. The
 
 turned to the navy department where the necessary orders were dispatched to Ad- miral Eemey. The effect of this transfer is to mae Taku the headquarters of the Asi- atic squadron. The Brooklyn is expected to sail at once-today if possible-as the or ders sent contemplate getting the admiral on the scene at the earliest moment The advantage of this. it was officially stated, is not so much in adding the strength of the Brooklyn to the fleet already there, as it is in allowing the authorities here to deal directly with the situation in China, instead of through the circuitous commun- ications by way of Manila. If the Brook iyn starts today, as expected, 1t will take her fully a week to reach TaSu, as the trip is 2000 miles and typhoons are raging. The determination to carry some of Gen eral MacArthur's troops on flagship shows the emergency of the situation. The troops are believed to be ready to move, but some delay may be caused in getting on board sufficient supplies for large body of men for week.
 Gravest Conc, Tn Among Officials
 Admiral Memphis report that four Amer jeans were killed and seven wounded in the ambuscade of Walters force caused the graVest concern among officials, but the chief fear was as to the outcome of the second attack, which the admiral re- ported would begin today. This is little short of the dimensions of a battle, and it's results may be decisive, not only to the immediate force employed but in deter mining the fate of the legations and for egn settlements at Tien Tsin and whether the issue is or is not to be war with China.
 Word reached the navy department to- day that the battl~ship Oregon got away from Hong Kong last night, bound for Taku. This is two days ahead of her ex- pected start She took on 16i sailors and marines brought to Hong Kong by the Zafiro The big ship may now have a chance to repeat her celebrated perform ance around the Horn," she is being crowded for a fast run to the scene of ac- tion. The distance is about 1,500 miles, and if she makes her record time she will be at Taku in about six days, about the same time that the Brooklyn arrives from Ma nila. These ships and the Monadnock are the only ones going to China.
 Admiral Crowninshield pronounces as un- true the reports that the gunboats Mariet- ta, Princeton and several other ships at Manila have been ordered to Taku. There is felt to be no need for them, and, more over with the ships now under orders to sail, Admiral Remey will have a force which is considered abundantly able to meet every possible requirement.. The Mo nadnock has a large complement of men, who can be used as landing party, and it is this rather than her armament which makes her so available at this time.
 War Department Preparing
 The war branch of the government is pre- pairing for any eventuality that may arise out of the Chinese situation. As stated by one of the highest officers of the army, the scale of preparation is of magnitude which would both interest and surprise the public But, he added, the information would be of even greater interest and serv- ice to any foreign foe which the United States may be called upon to face within the next few weeks or months, and, for that reason there is no purpose to make public the complete preparations making to meet whatever issue arises. All that the officials will say is that both the army and navy, if the occasion arise, will give a good account of themselves ,
 Adjutant-General Corbin was at his desk