The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-20
AMERICANS IN CHINESE WATERS.
The Oregon and Other Vessels En-
Route to Taku-OnIy One Regiment.

WASHINGTON, June 19.-Adjutant Gen.
eral Corbin declared positively to-day that
up to date only one regiment. the Ninth
Infantry, had been ordered from Manila
10 China. In addition to the Oregon, which
is 10 go up TO. Taku from Hong-Kong. the
Buffalo, with three hundred green lands
men aboard has been ordered at once from
Southampton. England to the Philippines,
while the gunboats Princeton and Marietta,
which are admirably suited to service in
the Pei-Ho river above Taku, have been
held at Cavite under orders to be ready for
service at any moment. The Zafiro also
has been held at the same place in readi-
ness to take on supplies for the naval con-
tingent at Taku. If the Princeton and
Marietta join Admiral Kempff, seems
probable now he will have at his command
more numerous and effective fleet of gun
boats adapted to service on the Pei-Ho
river as far up as Tien-Tsin than any of
the other naval powers there represented
No reports were received at the State
Department to-day from any of its officials
| from China. 1t is not known consequently
whether or not our naval vessels were
with the other foreign ships I'm engage
ment at Taku on Sunday. In the absence
| 1t is not possible to give a precise defini-
| ton of his powers, but it is a fact that
| they are wider than was supposed yester-
| day. He is not limited to the protection
| of American life and property and may do
| anything proper in his judgment to con-
serve American interests of any kind in
| China. This instruction opens up unex-
pected possibilities, involving even an
L
| in case 1t may be found necessary in that
| manner to prevent the usurpation or de-
| struction by otker powers of such trade
| privileges as we now enjoy in China, i'm
| probable as such alignment may be.
| A significant fact in this connection is
| that the official view here is still that there
| is not yet state of war between China
/ and the United States. 1t is contended that
the stirring events of Sunday morning did
not of necessity involve us in war and
| that the action of the Chinese commander
| at Taku may yet be disavowed or prove TO
| have been based on ignorance or misunder-
| standing. In this case there is still oppor-
/ tunity for an explanation by the Chinese
| government and suitable reparation that
| shall close this incident without
| The Russian charge here, Mr.. Vollant,
| to-day notified Secretary Hay tina, his gov
| ernment was dispatching 1000 tr.ops from
| Port Arthur to Taku. The department ac-
cepted this statement without comment. 1t
| is known to the officials here that Japan
also is sending corresponding number of
| troops to the seat Of trouble, and that Eng
| land. Germany and France are doing like
| wise. Tt is believed that with our own
force. numbering about 1000. including the
/ Ninth Infantry. the international army
| will be quite strong enough 10 relieve the
/ siege of the embassies and legations at
| Peking. If a larger number of American
| troops should be necessary they will be
| sent forward soon as the troops
| be concentrated at Manila from the outly-
ing posts.
| Secretary of State Hay was notified to-
| day by the Russian embassy here that 1000
Russian troops have been dispatched from
| Port Arthur to Taku.
| When the official day closed 1t was found
that message. received in the morning
| from Admiral Remey at the Navy Depart
ment touching the readiness of the Prince
| ton and Marietta and Zeafiro for immedi-
had come to the government from the East
4
Importance developed. however. that the
notice of the Russian government of its
intention to dispatch 1000 troops to China
was accompanied by an undertaking that
| these troops were to be used for the assist
ance of Europeans and Americans and with
no purpose of territorial aggression on the
| part of Russia. This assurance
| ceived with the greatest satisfaction. 1t is
understood that in view of Russia's frank
| declaration to consent to assume the
| same obligation toward the other nations.
| in which case the greatest obstacle to ef
fective action, whether concurrent or joint,
| by the powers in China may be considered
| as removed.
| Lord Pauncefote, the British ambassador,
| called at the State Department this after
| noon and spent an half hour in conference
| with Secretary Hay. His Lordship had no
news from his own government beyond
| that conveyed by the morning papers re-
| specting the developments in China and he
| was particularly anxious to be informed
| as to the details of the reported battle on
| Sunday morning. The State Department
4 was without information on this point. 1t
| is said that Admiral Kempff will be heard
/ from IN a Gay OF So Inc Q1IncuitleS IN tnc
way of speedy communication between the
/ Navy Department and the admiral are
| illustrated in the series of messages that
have come in the last forty-eight hours
| from the cable offices. Yesterday the de-
| partment was informed that while the wire
! system beyond Che-Foo and leading up to
| Taku and Tien-Tsin had been cut it had
| been arranged that a daily steamboat
| should take messages for these points at
| Che-Foo and carry them 10 their destina-
/ ton up the river. Though this arrange
ment involved a days delay 1t was accept
able and the authorities were disappointed
| at receiving to-day the following notice
from the cable Office
Gable office reports Chinese administra-
tion cancelled arrangements for postal
| service from Che-Foo TO Tien-Tsin and
Taku. The Great Northern route through
Siberia will do its utmost TO get kilograms
through to Tien-Tsin. but messages can be
| accepted only at senders' risk.
An ugly feature about this notice is the
| disclosure of an apparent purpose on the
part of the Chinese government TO inter-
| fere with free communication between the
foreign commanders at Tien-Tsin and Che
Foo and their respective governments. an
| action which may have some bearing on