Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-17
(By Telegraph to virglnian-pilot.>

(By Telegraph to virginian- Pilot.)
Washington, d. c., July 1G.-News of
the battle of Tien Tsin as brought Nv
the Associated Press cables direct from
the neiu. was conveyed to the Chinese
ministers early to-day. The Minister
iio!loWeu the recital with rapt attention,
iinterrupting with expressions, of aston
lshnent and profound regret at the
Startling Developments. He was parti-
cularly impressed with the detailed
names OF the Americans killed and
every shadow of doubt, and he asked as
70 the various officers and their fami-
lies.
COME HOME TO HIM.
The scene of the fighting came home
yividly to the Minister, as he has lived
Tor long time at Ticn Tsin, the close
TREND ana associate of Ii Hung Chang
during the latter's vice-royalty there.
and every detail of the engagement
around the walls could be followed by
MN with personal knowledge of the
surroundings. In his minds eve he
pictured before him the scene of action.
Here. he pointed out. was the great
walled city, within which the native
chinese population lived. Around the
city swept the Pei river very sinuous
from Taky toward Pekin. Below the
walled city, full hours ride by chair,
lay the foreign settlements or conces-
sions or compounds. At this latter
point, well away from the walls of the
main city. the foreign citizens with
the allied troops have until now been
located.
FORCES ADVANCED.
The news of the fight at the walls
meant. therefore. that the allied forces
had advanced from their position we'll
down the Pei Ho, and had attacked the
city itself. Outcome of this move lie
viewed with the utmost
He spoke with good deal of free
dom. but asked to be excused from any
Public declaration on the subject. IN
the most sympathetic terms however
he expressed his horror at the latest
developments. declaring that to no
American home could the news bring
deeper regret than to himself.
At the other legations and embassies
the same feeling of dismay prevailed.
CONGRESSMAN CANNON TALKS.
Washington, July 16.--Representntiv
Cannon. chairman of the House Com
mittee on Appropriations and one OF
the most prominent Congressional
figures was about the State and War
Departments while the Chinese discus
sion Was at its height to-day. Asked
II there would he an extra session of
Congress he said:
That Is for the President to say, but
I hardly see any occasion for il yet.
The first thing to do is to learn who
Is responsible for this trouble. Is 1T
China or the irresponsible element OF
China? When that Is settled we may
be III position To say whether or not
we are to have n war with China. 1t
can be put down as certain that If
there Is n war there cannot be the
slightest doubt of the outcome, and 1t
Will he n disastrous one for China.
THE present law limits the number
OF troops to 100000, and without action
by Congress there could be no increase
Of the army beyond that force. But
In Of
visions of the statute which give the
President means of raising funds to
meet the necessities of the case. There
Is ample money TO carry out whatever
course may become necessary. and you
may rest assured the money will be
made available. If there is any
emergency need OF troops, we have n
large force in the Philippines which
could be drawn on
NOT UNDERSTOOD.
The report that Colonel French.
1'wcnty-fifth Infantry was killed at
Tien Tsin. Is not understood at the
War Department here. Officials state
positively that Colonel French is not
In China. There is but one Colonel
French in the service. and he COM
two battalions of which are in the
Philippines and the third one in this
country. On June 30 Colonel French
was in New York on sick leave.
A PREVIOUS BATTLE.
Washington, July 1G.-The Japanese
legation to-day received a cable from
the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gated
Toxic. July 10, giving some belated
details of the fighting at Tien Tsin
July 3. when the town was still in pos
session of the allies. According to this
cable there are 1000 Japanese troors
at Tien Tsin. More than half the allied
troops in the attack on Tien Tsin on
the 18th therefore probably were Japa-
nese. The cable Is as follows:
ION the Sd instant a large body of
Chinese soldiers appeared before Tien
Tsin and attacked the northern part
OF the settlement. which was guarded
by the Russian troops. The Japanese
sent to their aid. at the Russian Gen
erals request. one battery Of artillery
and two companies of infantry. After
heavy cannonade, they silenccd the
Chinese guns and finally repulsed the
enemy. The Japanese losses i'm this
engagements We're two captains killed
and about 80 nom commissioned OIL
GERS and men killed or wounded. Ma
1or General Fukuhim has now under
him at Tien Tsin about 1000 Japanese
troops
THE ADMINISTRATION.
Washington, July 16.-The decision of
the Administration at the end OF n
most eventful day is that this United
states is still not at war with the Gov
eminent of China. The big happenings
nj iien Tsin. coming on top of The
stories OF the last struggles al pekin
have not affected the attitude of the
Administration on this point; the Cni-
ted states are technically ut peace
But this statement should not be ac-
cepted as indicating a purpose on the