The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-06
THANKS FROM SEYMOUR
The British Admiral's Report on
the Pekin Expedition.
Praise of Captain McCaIIa and the
American Contingent Gratifying
Primary object Not Achieved
Some Valuable Results Attained.

LONDON, Sept. 5.-The Admiralty has
issued Admiral Seymour's detailed report
of the unsuccessful attempt to relieve the
legations at Pekin. 1t covers the opera
tions in full. He says:
The primary object of the expedition
TO reach Pekin and relieve the legations
failed. Success was only possible on the
assumption that the imperial troops. with
whose Government we were not at war,
would at least be neutral. Their turning
Of their arms against us. certainly their
conniying at the destruction of the rail-
way, and probably their actually joining
therein, made failure inevitable for the
undertakings of the expedition For it's
conduct, and its issue / am responsible.
The destruction of thu valuable armory
at Hsiku may be regarded as one object
gained. When the small. unusual charac-
ter of the force, combination of eight
nationalities, is considered. it may be
conceded that its harmonious action re-
fleets credit on the various members of
the venture. 1 think it will tend to foster
international sympathies.''
The report thanks the various COM
manders, and especially Captain Won Use
dom, of the German warship Bertha. who
was the senior officer next to Admiral
Seymour. 1t adds:
II must especially refer to Captain Nc
Gala, of the United States Navy. who was
of the greatest value to me and all con-
cerned He was slightly wounded in
three places, and well merits recogni-
ton
The report concludes by giving copy
of Admiral SeymOur's letter to the chief
officer of each nationality on the return
of the expedition.
Admiral Seymcur's letter to Admiral
Kempff, the American commander. was as
follows:
"Tientsin. June % 1890.
"Sir: The late allied expedition for
an attempt to reach Pekin and suceor
our respective legations in that
city having now terminated, | honor
as senior naval officer the various
national forces engaged therein. ad-
dress you on that subject, first, to
officially thank you for sending Off
GERS and men belonging to the United
States in company with these of Her
Majesty the Queen of England, to act
in concert with them Second, to ex-
press to you my highest sense of the
valuable, cheerful. and constant CO.
operation received from Captain Nc
Gala and others under his command.
and of the unfailing energy and zeal
displayed under somewhat trying cir
cumstances by the American officers
and men, whose courage was worthy
of their high traditions and requires
no words OF mine to describe.
Thirdly. / assure you OF my sim
cere belief and hope that the above
expedition, Though both small and not
of long duration, will help to cement
between our respective nations that
mutual good feeling and respect which
happily now exists between cur Gov
ernments, and which. especially in
China is now so desira BILE in all the
best interests OF civilization and ad-
vancement.
Il cannot conclude my letter with
out expressing TO you. sir, the high
admiration l have for Capt. B. H. Nc
Gala, who accompanied us in COM
mand of your officers and men. Their
post was usually in the advanced
guard where their zeal was praised
by all. l regret to state that Captain
McCalla was wounded in three places,
but, considering the gallant way in
which he exposed himself. l am only
equally surprised and thankful that he
is alive Had he been a thorough
Briton he could not have more kindly
and loyalty stood by me in every way
He carried out every wish expressed.
/ may indeed say the same of all
under his command. I hail this ex-
perience as further proof of the real
good feeling SO happily existing be-
tween our nations. which by no one is
more valued than By your brother
sailors Of our navy.
e H SEYMOUR.
''Vice Admiral"
The foregoing was the form used in
addressing all the commanders of eacn
nation. Special additions we're made to
each particular letter