Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-06-25
FROM ADMIRAL ksMPFF.

Washington. June 2i.-The navy de
pdruncnt, ,this afternoon, issued the
following bulletin:
~ telegram from Admiral Kcmpff,
dated Che F11. June u, says:
i'm lmbuscadc near Tion Tsin. on the
list. four uf walters command killed
and seven wounded. Names will be
furnished as soon AS received. Force
of -Uu0 going To- relieve Ticn Tsin. TO-
day. C~iEned) KENPFF.' "
The secretary Of the navy has order
ed ADMIRAL RcmCy to go with the
Brooklyn to TJku and to tender to Gen.
Macarthur conveyance Of any army
troops which the Brooklyn can carry.
Admiral kempns dispatch giving the
first definite news uf the shedding Of
American blood on Chinese soil. came,
carly this morning. and was turned
over ~ Seer, jary Long as soon as he
arrived at the Department. With Ad-
mira Cr0Uninshicld the secretary car
ried the dispatch to tile White House.
where, IN the Presidents return from
church, it WAS lald before him.
The determination thereupon was
reached 10 order Admiral Eemey. in
command of the Asiatic squadron.
from Manila to TaEu on board of the
armor"d cruiser Brooklyn. The sec
rotary ana Admiral CroWuinshield re-
turned to the navy department where
the Hgct sary orders were dispatched to
Admiral Ecmey. The effect Of this
transfer is to make Taku the hcadquar-
tors or the Asiatic squadron.
The Brooklyn is expected to sail. at
once. today. if possible. as the orders
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
of the Brooklyn to the fleet al
ready there as the fleet is considered
by Secretary Long to be quite adequate
as it is in allowing authorities here to
deal directly with the situation in
China instead Of through the circuitous
communications by way Of Manila.
If the Brooklyn starts. today, as is
expected. it Will take her fully week
to reach Taku. as the trip is 2o00 miles
and typhoons are raging. The deter
mtnation to carry some Of Cen. Mar
Arthurs troops On A 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 a week.
Admiral Kcmpffs report that four
were killed and seven
wounded in the ambuscade Of Walters |
force. caused the greatest concern |
among officials, but the chief feature |
was us tO the outcome Of the second at
tack which the admiral reported would |
begin. today. This is little short of the |
Of a battle. and its results |
may be decisive, not only to the i'm
mediate force employed but in deter
mining the fate OF the legations and |
foreign settlements at Tien Tsin ana
also whether the issue is or is not TO
be war with China.
Word reached the navy department II
today, that the battleship Oregon got II
away from Hong Kong, last night. II
bound for Taku. This is two days
ahead Of her expected start She took
N lGl sailors and marines brought to
Hong Kong by the ZafIiro. The big II
ihip may now have a chance to repeat
l"r celebrated performance around II
he Horn" as She is crowded for fast
-un to the scene Of action. The dis
ance is about $50 miles and if she II
makes her record the ship win be at
TIku in six days, about the same time /
hat the Brooklyn arrives from Manila.
These ships ana the Monadnock are the
,uIy ones going to China.
Admiral CroWninshield pronounccs Il
Untrue the report that the gunboats |,
Marietta. Princeton and several other
7hips at Manila have been ordered to
raklI. There is felt to be no need for
hem ana more over with the ships
now under orders to sail. Admiral /
}emey will have a force which il con
idered abundantly able to meet every +;
Continued on page %