Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-06-28
CHINA DEF|ES THE WORLD
Forts at Taku Open Fire on Foreign
Warships and Fight Lasts
for Seven Hours.
THE ACTION IS A DECLARATION OF WAR.
The Forts Are Subdued and Occupied
by the Allied Eorccs-SeNeralH Hum
dred Chinese Soldiers killed-PosS-
ers Are Acting Promptly-The
News Reaches Washington.

London. June 19.-Hostilities have
begun in earnest in China by the battle
between the Chinese forts and the al
lied fleet at Taku. In the battle 20 Eu-
ropeans are reported to have been
killed and 81 wounded. y Russian gun
boat was blown up. The British gum
boat Algerine and the German Warshlp
ills We're badly damaged. two British
merchant vessels sunk. two forts blown
up, the rest captured at the point OF the
bayonet by landing parties and several
hundred Chinese soldiers killed.
China Defies the World.
No formal declaration of war has as
vet been issued. but there now seems
little doubt that China has decided to
defy the world. Two important re-
ports were contained in Yesterday dis
patches, the taking of the Tahu forts
and the forced return of Admiral Sey-
mour's mixed relief force to Tien- Isln.
Powers Acting Promptly.
The powers are taking prompt ac-
ton. Four thousand German troops
have been ordered to China; 10000
! French troops are waiting to embark
at Saigon. capital of French Cochin
China, and from 5000 to 1000 more
Russians have been ordered from Port
Arthur to Tallu.
News Reaches Washington.
Washington June l9-The navy de
partment has made public the texts
of the Two cahegrams received Monday
from Admiral Remev and Commander
Taussig. The first is as follows:
"94o a. m., Cavte. June 1S-Bureau of
| Navigation. Washington: Taussig cables
| that the Taku forts fired upon foreign
gun vessels and then surrendered to the
allied forces the morning of June H.
| kempff asks instructions about Joining
other powers who are taking united ac-
ton in demanding that the Taku forts be
| turned over to them to secure favorable
| termination OF the trouble. Will the de-
partment instruct kempff. through Taku.
at Chefoo, and give me the same infor-
nation?
| (Signed) REME1.
The telegram from Commander
Taussig, of the Yorktown, is as fol-
lows:
"Chefoo, June 17-Taku fort fired upon
foreign vessel about 1915 a. M Surren-
| dered to allied forces at eight a. m The
British admiral at Tien-Tsin.
(Signed) 'TAUSSIG."
An Attack on PekinE.
London, June 20.-The Russian re-
lieving force arrived outside OF Peking
Tuesday morning, says the Shanghai
correspondent of the Daily Express,
and Immediately began to attack the
city on two sides, employing numerous
artillery. The force apparently ar
rived in the nick of time, for the Chi
nese assert that the attack upon the
legations had been successfully re-
newed.
Fire on Tien-Tsin.
Washington, June 22.--Acting Sec
rotary of the Navy Hackett received q
cable message from Admiral kempfi,
dated Chefoo, June 21, saying that
TienTsin is being bombarded and that
the American consulate as we'll as
much of the foreign concessions are be-
ing destroyed. \ relief party is en-
route to TienTsin, including 100 Amer
lean marines under Maj. Walter.
Sharp Fighting.
London. June 23.-The silence of Pc
king continues unbroken. Four thou
sand men of the allied forces were hav-
ing sharp defensive fighting at Tien-
Tsn Tuesday and Wednesday, with q
prospect of being reinforced Thursday
This is the situation in China as set
forth in the British government dis
patch.
KempT Seeks Help.
Washington. June 80. 8 a. m - Late
tonight an urgent request came from
Admiral Kempff for more troops and
ships. Orders were sent to Admiral
Remey at Manila to send additional
ships to Taku.