Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-06-21
SEYMOUR ARRIVES.
Brings Needed Relief to Foreign
Legations in Pekin.
fiercely Attacked on March by the
Chinese, Who Lost Heavily.
Forces Took No Pat in Capture Of
the Forts at Taku.

London, June 2O.-A news agency
dispatch from Shanghai, dated June 20.
says: After an arduous march and
frequent lighting with the Chinese.
Vice Admiral Seymour arrived at
L. kin. Sunday afternoon. On five oc-
casions the Chinese attacked the col
umn in great force. There We're many
mounted men among the Chinese, but
most Of the natives were badly armed
At times they fought with admirable
courag- and bravery. The losses of the
Chinese during the march are estima-
ted at 500 killed. The losses Of the
foreigners We're trifling
THE exact state of affairs inside
Pekin it is impossible to describe in
view Of the many conflicting reports,
nothing having been received from the
legations or foreigners there.
Surprise is expressed at the fact
that a large force of Indian troops has
not been ordered here.
London, June 21-3.50 A. M-The re-
ports of Admiral Seymour's arrival at
Pekin and of the safety Of the foreign
legations originating from Chinese
sources ard cabled to this city from
Shanghai. are still unverified. How
ever, the Italian consul at Shanghai
has wired to the Italian foreign minis
ter. Marquis NiscOnti Venosta, that the
legations are safe.
The rebellion is spreading far and
wide. There is an impression in dplO-
matte circles here and on the conti-
nent that the allies have not yet grap-
pied with the situation effectively and
that even 10000 troops would be pow
erless to do much to control 1000, 900
square miles.
The latest story sent out by the
Shanghai gossips is that Prince Tuan.
president of the Tsung Ii Yamen. has
burned the imperial palce at Pekin and
murdered the Emperor and the En-
press DoWager has committed suicide
The effect of the bombardment of
the Taku forts as described by the
Shanghai correspondents was CORY in
the eNtreme-nothing less than rivers
of blood and ''mutiIated -corPses piled
up inside the forts"
The Russians guarding Tien Tsin,
according 70 another report fired ar
tillery ana rifles. June II. at range
Of 50 yards into dense crowds Of at
tacking RoXers and killed 300.
Japan. according to Il dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Yokohama. intends to
ldrd an expedition at Foo Chow.
Washington. June 20-The navy de-
partment has just given out the fol-
lowing statement regarding the con-
tents Of a dispatch from Admiral
\empff brought from Taku to che Foo
and forwarded by Commander Tausig
Of the Yorktown:
The department has received ca
blegram from Admiral Kempff. dated
June 20. He says the Taku forts were
by the other foreign forces,
that the navy firing was heard at Tien
TsIn on the evening of the 18th inst.
tie is making common cause with the
foreign powers for general protection.
There are 300 Americans ashore
on May II, the number of foreign
troops at Pekin was 43O. There are
5000 men ashore at Che Foo now and
bout 5000 troops, Russian, German and
English. have just arrived"
Owing 70 the Discrimination of Acting
secretary Hackett to take the respon-
1ihility upon his shoulders of making
public any portion of Admiral
lempff's Dispatch. it was not until late
n the afternoon and after the Presi-
tent h3d gwen ms approval that the
rather mcagrc statement of the ad-
uraTs communication was given out.
t was then found to contain little that
$ new.
Persistent inquiry developed the fact
hat the date of the cablegram was
he + so. June 20. The admirals state
n mt that heavy firing was heard at
nicn Tsin on the evening Of the 18th,
possibly is the basis for the report
urrcnt in Europe that Pekin was at
acked that day by the foreign column.
houSh it seems incredible that the
ound Of any artillery as could have
'ccn carried by Admiral Seymour's
ight column could have been heard
) miles. the distance from Pekin to
len Tsn. 1t is possible that the ad-
niral means that he himself at Taku
card heavy firing in progress at Tien
sin, 30 miles distant.
Naval officers generally bitterly re-
ret that Admiral kempff was not In
hr fighting at Taku. Up to the re-
eipt Of his dispatch they had contin-
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