Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-06-30
OREGON AGROUND
The Famous Battleship Runs into a
Pointed Rock Not Far from
Taku.
A SERIES OF ENGAGEMENTS
Battle Which Took Place in and Around
Tien Tsin-Admiral Kempf Justi6es
His Position Of Holding Aloof
from Hostilities.

from Hostilities.
Washington, June 3O.-The navy de
partment received a cablegram from
Captain Wilde, of the Oregon, dated
Che Foo, confirming the report that hi.
ship is aground fifty miles from Taku
The Iris and another relief ship are now
with the Oregon.
THE OREGON IN BAD SHAPE.
Washington, June 30-The following
dispatch was received by the navy de-
partment relative to the grounding OF
the Oregon:
"Che Foo, June 29.-Anchored yester-
day in a dense fog in seventeen faith
oms, three miles south Of How Ke light
in the gulf of Pc Chi Ii. Sent ou. two
boats and sounded, and found the least
water to be five and half fathoms.
Weather cleared. Got under way and
struck a pinnacle rock. Much water In
the forward compartment. The sea is
perfectly smooth. l shall charter a
steamer, if possible, at Che Foo and
tighten the ship. The rock is through
the side of the ship above the double
bottom, about frame 10. Small holes are
also through the bottom of the ship.
(signed) WILDE"
The point where the Oregon grounded
is fifty miles west northwest of Che
Foo. Taku is 15O miles west of Pinnacle
4, CHI tn or
Captain Wilde's statement of injuries
sustained by the Oregon Is scarcely suf-
ficient to enable naval constructors here
to form a definite opinion Of the pros
poets of saving the famous ship. They
say, however that the ship probably
can be saved. If the weather does not
become rough, but unfortunately this Is
the season of storms in Chinese waters.
SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
Taku, June 27.-(Copyright, Associat-
ed Press )--Admiral Kempff was op-
posed to the policy of attacking the
Chinese army unless they began hostil-
tiles. 1t is now admitted that the pow
ers attacking the forts turned the Chi
nese into allies with the Boxers. The
Americans think this might have been
avoided. Kempff held aloof from hos
tilities beyond the movements necessary
to rescue the Americans.
FORCES ASHORE.
The forces ashore number 10000, of
which 5000 are British, 1900 Germans,
1900 Russians $500 Japanese, the re-
mainder being American, French. Ital-
ian and Austrians.
AFIERCE FIGHT.
Lieutenant Jayne, of the Newark, In
trying to reach Tien Tsin by boat at the
time of the storming of Tien Tsin, had
fierce fight with the Chinese.
"A NUMBER OF BATTLES.
Major Walters battalion of 100 ma
rines, with Commander Craddock's
British naval brigade numbering 500,
were camped June % eight miles from
Tien Tsin, where the railroad was de-
stroyed. At daylight Of the 2Sd Major
Waller and two companies Of the Brit
ish marched on Tien Tsin. The remain
der of the British and 800 Welsh fusl-
leers supporting went up the river
bank. Another column, consisting chief
ly Of Russians and Germans, took up
the route chosen by Waller. They were
repulsed, however. On June q the Rus
slams became engaged In a conflict with
the Chinese. First Major Waller re-en-
forced them, and then rejoined the Brit
ish, the military column being attacked.
The Chinese exploded mine under the
marines, merely bruising a few. They
were exposed to heavy f1anking fire.
Private Hunter was killed and Corporal
Hederick wounded. The English and
American forces carried the village out
side Of the walled city by storm. They
found in Tien Tsin Lieutenant irwin
and Cadet Pettingill with forty men In
good condition. Among the killed also
were Private Nicholas and another.
When the Chinese attacked Tien Tsin
on June 81, Major Waller's command,
with 44O Russians, was ambushed three
miles from that place. They were COM.
PEELED to retreat, abandoning S-inch
rifle and Colt gun, losing four killed and
seven wounded. The greatest anxiety
exists. concerning foreigners in Pekin.
WAY TO PEKIN BLOCKED.
Washington, June 3O.-The navy de-
partment received the following cable
gram from Admiral Kempff:
"Che Foo, June 3O.-The ministers at
Pekin were given twenty-four hours to
leave on the 18th. They refused, and are
still there. The Pekin relief forces got
half way. They were attacked by the
imperial troops on the 18th. McCalla
was in command. Four were killed and
twenty wounded. McCalla and En-
sign Taussig were wounded, but not &C.
riously. Now over 1900 troops are
ashore. Commander Wise commands at
Tong Ku, and Is in charge Of the trans
portation by rail and river. The COM
bination Of officers find 1t necessary to
make use Of some civilians to operate
the railway"
THE LEGATIONS SAFE.
Washington, June S0.-A cablegram
received by the state department to-day
from Ambassador Choate states that
the foreign ministers were safe at Pc
kin on the 26th inst. Chinese Minister
Wu has private advices to the same ef-
feet.
AN ARSENAL CAPTURED.
London, June 30.-The war office re-
ceived the following dispatch from Col.
Dorward:
"Che Foo, June S0.-The arsenal
northeast Of Tien Tsin was captured on