Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-24
(By Telegraph to virginlan-pilot.)

(By Telegraph to Virginlan- Pilot.)
Washington, June 23.-Dispatches re-
ceived to-day from Admiral Kempff
announced that fighting was In pro-
gress near Tien Ts!n. Beyond the in
formation that the American marines
under Major Waller, and 400 Russians
had been engaged with the Chinese
army. and that n second attack with
force of 1000 was about to be made.
no specific details were received. The
officials waited nnXiously throughout
the day to learn the result of this sec
ond movement. but up to Il late hour
no further word had come from the
Admiral or any other source. The
news was sufficient, however, to ac-
centuate the need of reinforccments.
ana the energies of the War and Navy
departments were eXerted in preparing
70 forward men, ships and supplies as
fast as possible. The dispatch OF
troops from MANILA Is mainly impeded
by the severe storms now raging In
the Indian sea. Hurry orders were
given TO make ready for sea the three
naval Golfers. Hannibal Alexander.
ana Saturn, now at Norfolk, for the
purpose of taking supplies OF coal to
me Asiatic station. This led to the
Dciiet in some quarters that the COL
hers might be accompanied by some
OF the powerful ships now In Atlantic
waters, possibly a portion of the North
Atlantic Squadron. But naval officials
stated that while Admiral Remey's
t ,'Ia "t Mania mad been much de-
pletcd, there was no present purpose
10 send more ships. In case they are
needed. however. the Atlanta is ready
at New York. and with the Bancroft
at Boston, both of them being light
draft vessels, well suited for Chinese
ha
massachusetts. Indiana, Kcarsarge and
kentucky give Il reserve of strong yes
sells. which can be drawn upon il the
developments seem to warrant such n
course.
OUR FORCE IN CHINA.
Inc American naval force in China Mt
present consists of the Newark. 400
20 all at Taku; the Yorktown. 300, al
che ZOO. The Oregon, which is under
orders to go to Hong Kong, probably
VIII start next Monday. but cannot
reach the scene of action short of six
days: The Iris. a supply ship, ALSO is
on the way. This will give Admiral
kempff fleet of six ships including the
Oregon. when they are assembled a
week hence
Outside of the immediate necessity
of meeting the military and naval re-
Puireinents, the government is chiefly
concerned i'll finding out to what extent
me chinese government is countenanc-
ing or assisting the warfare at Tien
Tsin. one of the highest officials of the
administration said tonight that there
was some evidence that General Tung
Fu sen. the principal general of the
Mohahimedan Chinese. was in com
mana: and that possibly. without or
derS from the Chinese government he
mad succeeded in leading off some of
the regular Chinese troops This would
In part explain Admiral Kempff's mes
sage that the Chinese army Is engaged
IN me fighting. But the assurances of
the chinese minister and the commune
cations from Ii Hung Chang and sew
eral of the influential viceroys all lead
to the belief that the Chinese govern
ment does not direct the movements
be cleared up within the next few
hours and 1T will then be determined
whether the authorities here are to deal
with China or an uprising OF Chinese
rebels.
NO VIEWS FROM CONGER.
The alarming report from Shanghai
that the Empress Dowager had ordered
the determination of all foreigners in
China was received with great allow
ance at the State Department. At the
same time this was the eleventh day of
complete silence on the part of Minister
70 the apprehension among the officials.
BATTLE AT TEN TSIN.
Washington. June 2S.--Thc Navy De-
partmeDt this morning received an i'm
pcrtant dispatch from Admiral K empff
stating that an engagement is now in
progress between the United States ma
rines and other forces against the Chi
nese army. outside of Ten Tsin. The
following bulletin has been issued by
the department.:
Acting Secretary Hackett has this
morning received a dispatch from Ad-
miral Kempff, dated Che Foo. June o3
t. the effect that our marines. under
Major Waller. together With 400 Rus
slams, have had an engagement with
the Chinese army near Tien Tsin. They
could not break through the line. a
force numbering 1000. the Admiral re-
ports, Is now ready to make another
attempt.
Admiral Kempff's dispatch, stating
that an engagement had occurred near
Tfen Tsin. and that another was about
10 occur, sent a thrill Of expectancy
throughout official circles here. Other
dispatches had been received giving adj
ditional detail, but these were not
made public. as they did not shed light
upon the engagement itself. but more
on the movement of the forces. The
official information gave no clue, how
ever. as to the extent OF any casualties
rhfch NAV have been suffered by the