The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-22

been received from competent author
ity.
Secretary Hay was asked If the
latest developments had made any
change in the policy which the United
states had adopted in this Chinese
in that region have been directed to
act concurrently with the forces of
the other powers for the protection Of
all American interests"
CARTE BLANCHE TO KEMPFF.
The instructions sent to Admiral
hempn relative 10 his participation
in the seizure of the Taku forts were
broad, consisting Of a direction to pro-
tect all American interests and work
|concurrently with the representatives
of the other powers. II was explained
that in the opinion of the authorities
this order conferred upon Admiral
kemph ample power TO seize forts, to
or 10 do anything, in fact, on the
sole condition, that in his judgment
his acts should tend to the protection
of American interests.
Included in the detachment of one
hundred marines with the interna-
tional expedition sent to the relief of
the foreign residents at Pekin are the
following well known officers of the
marine corps: Major L. w. T Waller
and Lieutenants r. F. Wynne, G.. c..
Reid. A. H. Harding, E. Leonard and
N. l.. Jolly.
WHAT THE TAKU FORTS ARE.
In view of the international charac-
ter of the attack upon and capture OF
the Taku forts, some interest may be
felt in the following statement pre-
pared by Major Simpson, in charge Of
the military information bureau, of
the war department:
Taku is situated at the mouth OF the
Pei Ho on the southern bank of the
river, about 81 miles from Tien Tsin,
with which it is connected by a rail-
road. The water on the bar varies
from about , to IA feet at the spring
tides.
Part OF the Tien Tsin army corps
has modern organization, drill and
arms and is stationed at the Taku
forts. Between Taku and Tien Tsin,
the center of the defences and chief
Iaresnal of northern China, are perma-
nent camps where there are usually
80, 900 troops, infantry, cavalry and ar
tilllery, armed with Mauser rifles and
Krupp guns. The cavalry also carry
MauSer carbineS. These troops have
been well instructed for ten or twelve
years by foreign officers. The arma-
ment of the TAX forts consists Of
very heavy Krupp guns, and the ap-
proaches to the forts from the gulf Of
l. = ~ Ii ~ II -
The Notifications consist of three
lfortS; a large one on the right and
two smaller ones on the left, they be-
ling constr ucted according to Chinese
models, which are characterized by
enormous dimensions. All the forts
are armed with numerous guns of the
most varied systems and calibres.
The large fort has three bastions
which are armed with guns of large
calibre for firing over the breastworks.
These bastions have so prominent a
position that they may be easily seen
at sea, and the guns placed upon them
therefore, can be readily dismounted.
In the construction Of all forts OF
the second zone, the muddy clay soil
of the coast was used, which, during
the dry season, becomes cracked and
crumbles very easily, and the garri-
sons are continually making repairs.
In Taku are the materials for closing
up the mouth of the Pei Ho. All the
coast Notifications have mines.
UNEASY ABOUT MARINES SENT
TO PEKIN.
Great apprehension exists at the
navy department as to the fate of the
United States marine guard of fifty
six men which was landed at Tien
Tsin and dispatched by rail to Pekin
before the railroad was interrupted.
They went forward to Pekin under an
authorization granted by the Chinese
government to the United States min
lister at Pekin in common with other
ministers to employ a naval guard at
the legation. Just before the wires
from Pekin were cut word came that
Minister Conger had detached twenty
of these marines from his legation and
placed them as a guard at the Metho-
dist compound.
ICHINA'S ACT A DECLARATION OF
WAR.
London, June 49,, $3.50 a.. m.-China
declared al against the world when
the Taku forts opened fire upon the
International fleet. The accounts of
what o place are still unsatisfac-
tory. The best semi-official informa-
ton being the dispatch received at
Berlin from Che Foo, given above.
AMERICAS PARTICIPATION.
The unofficial narratives, coming by
way of Shanghai vary widely and bear
ing the main facts with guess work
One dispatch says that the YORKTOWN
participated in the bombardment. An
other asserts that American marines
formed part of the stormingg force of
1000.
THE CASUALTIES.
An Associated Press dispatch from
IChe Foo, dated yesterday afternoon
says:
1.-The forts on both sides of the Taku
are now occupied. The Chinese opened
fire unexpectedly. The casualties to
the mixed forces were as follows:
"killed-BritiSh l, German 3, Rus
sian 16 and French L.
Observation-Disclosures +, German Z,
Russian 45 and French /.
The Chinese torpedo boats were
Seized"
The Shanghai correspondent of The
Daily Mail, t~elegraphing yesterday
says:
1.-The forts began firing in obedience
to orders from Pekin, conveyed in a
personal edict of the impress dowager,
by advice of Kang vi president of the
ministry of war; Several warShips
were struck by shells from the Pinch
guns of the forts.
1.-The heavy Russian losses were due
to the blowing up OF the magazine at
Mandshurt.
-Four hundred Chinese are reported
Ito have been killed. The Chinese, when
~retreating, fell into the hands Of the
Russian land force"
The Daily News a the following