The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-07-26
KEMPFF's REPORT.

why He Did Not Join in Attack on the
Taku Forts.
Washington, July 25 the Navy depart
ment today made public the mail reports
Of Rear Admiral KeInpf explaining his lea-
sons for refusing to join with the ships of
the other powers in the attack on the Takl
forts, and giving an account OF the attach,
which includes many details not heretofore
published
Admiral Kempff also incloses the report
of Commander Wise of the Monocacy, Civ
ing a graphic account of the action. Rear
Admiral kempff's explanation for refusing
to participate in the attack on the FORTH
cations of a power with which we were at
peace is warmly commended by Secretary
Long.
The reports are as follows:
us. Flagship, Newark. Taku China,
Sir-I would state what follows in re-
gard to the happenings previous 10 The re-
solve yesterday by other senior foreign ma
val officers here TO get possession of the
To Protect Americans
On Thursday, June H. ltenr-Admral
Bruce called and asked what | thought of
the matter, and l informed him that / was
not authorized to initiate any act of war
with country with whom my country was
at peace that my LIMIT INIT wa was I" protect Ifla
and under recent instructions from both
the department and from The commander
in-chief Of the United States naval force on
the Asiatic station.
On the 18th, at consultation of the
other foreign naval officers it vas agreed
that the railroad station at Tong ku should
be taken (the railway is under Chinese gov
eminent CONTROL, and in case any Chinese
government force acted against the force
o. any foreign nation all shou. l be involved
and act untedly. Under my instructions,
i could not join in taking possession of
care el to Become a party to such an agree
ment without special authority.
Did Not Join Attack,
Yesterday, June 16, the same foreign
naval officers signed a compact that it was
necessary to take temporary possession of
the Taku forts, and notice was served on
the viceroy at Tien-Tsin and on the com
mandant of the forts. Consuis ut Tien-Tsin
were Informed of what was contemplated.
/ did not Join in the attack on the forts.
Capt Wise of the Monocacy had orders to
protect American interests based upon de-
partment's orders, but in case Of attack by
d Chinese government force he was 10 con-
slider it as declaration o. war. and act
accordingly. Very respectfully,
Louis Kemph, ReIrAdniril.
United States Navy.
To the Secretary of the Navy, Washington,
Details of the Fight.
The report of the details OF the attack on
the forts is as follows:
The commanding office OF the gunboats
In the river met on the Afternoon of June
16 and agreed upon the senior officer of
the gunboats to direct the movement This
officer happened to be Russian. The po-
sitions for the various gunboats were then
assigned, taking positions in the second
''reach" of the river above the north fort.
The gunboats participating were the l<o-
reetz, Gullak, Bobr, RuSsiau; lltis, Ger
man. Lion, French; Agerlne, English.
The English torpedoboat destroyers,
Fame and Whiting, joined in the latter
part after securing rhe captured torpedo
boats near Tong Ku. The Japanese gun
boat claimed that her engines were disu-
bled so she remained moored near Tong
Ku, and was assigned charge of the rail-
road station at that place.
I The q. s. S. Monocacy hclug under or
ders remained moored at Tong ku aud
took no part in the action. Many foreign
ers were afforded shelter aud protection
during the night A copy of the report Of
the commanding officer If The Monocacy is
herewith inclosed.
The vessels, except the lltis, took their
ASSIGNED positions early in the evening Of |