The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-19
CONFLICTING REPORTS AS TO HOW
THE TROUBLE
STARTED
ULTIMATUM SEIT BY POWERS
RESPONSE OF CHINESE WAS AN
ATTACK UPON WAR
SHIPS
FIGHT RACED FOR HOURS
One Fort Was Taken by AssauIt
After the Other Had Been
Demolished With Shells
From Fleet.

partment has been informed by Admiral
hempm that the Taku forts yesterday
hred on the foreign ships, and, after a
pr1ef engagement, surrendered.
NINTH GOES TO TAKU
WASHINGTON. June 1s.-The war de-
partment has received the following
cablegram from Gen. Macarthur at Man
la, dated yesterday:
Ninth infantry, Col Liscum ordered
to Taku on Logan; transportation Port
Albert; probably start 24th; typhoon de-
lays movement"
ELASTIC INSTRUCTIONS.
The instructions sent to Admiral
kempff relative to his participation In the
seizure of the Taku forts, were broad.
consisting of a resolution to protect all
American interests, and to that end to
act concurrently with the representatives
of other countries. It is explained that
In the opinions OF the authorities this
order conferred upon Admiral Kempff
ample power to seize forts. to fight. or to
do anything, in fact, on the sole condition
that in his judgment his acts should tend
to protection of Americans. 1t was learn
ed at the British embassy this evening
that there were two British admirals In
the Pei-Ho river. Admiral Seymour and
Admiral Bruce. Therefore Taussig's ref
erence to the arrival OF the British ad-
miral at Tien Tsin does not mean neces-
sarily that Seymour has returned with his
! foreign column.
SOMETHING OF TAKU.
In view of the international character
of the attack upon and capture of the
Taku forts. some interest may be felt
in the following statement prepared by
Maj Simpson in charge Of the military
Information bureau Of the war DEPART
ment:
Taku is situated at the mouth Of the
! Pie-Hoor southern bank Of the river,
about sixty-seven miles from Tien Tsin,
with which it is connected by a railroad
1t is noted for three engagements that
! have taken place there between the Brit
| ish and the Chinese. Part of the Tien
| Tsin army corps has modern organiza-
| ton drill and arms, and IS stationed at
! the Taku forts Between Taku and Tien
| Tsin the center of the defenses and chief
! arsenal of Northern China, are per-
manent camps usually occupied by 800 0
| troops, infantry cavalry and artillery,
/ diliitu Will hdu=tI IllltS ana hIuDU
! guns. The cavalry also carry Mauser car
| bines. These troops have been we'll in
! structed for ten or twelve years by for
! eign officers. The armament Of the Taku
| forts consist of very heavy Krupp guns.
and the approaches to the forts from the
| gulf to Pechile are extremely difficult.
HOW GERMANS VIEW IT.
| BERLIN, June 18.-The German foreign
| hos no oil
| mumcation from Pekin for several days,
either by way of Russia or any other
| route. This applies also to all the pow
! ers. Today Germany has telegraphic
| Communication with Che-FOo and
| Shanghai but was unable to get con-
! nectons with Tien Tsin and Taku.
The reT orts regarding the burning OF
| the legation and the murder Of the Ger
! man minister, Won Kettler, have not
| been confirmed, although the foreign Of
| ficers have tried every possible way Of
| getting something definite.
| Nevertheless" said foreign Office Of
ficial who vouchsafed this information,
"our sources of news are so few that it
! IS quite possible the reports are true"
The same official made the following
! statement with reference 10 relations or
! the powers:
mo precise agreement has yet been
! reached between the powers Interested
I'm China, regarding their Joint action
| there, it's scope, the proportional strength
! of the forces. or the part to be assigned
! to each"
! The press takes a very serious view Of
| It. especially the safety OF the foreign
! officers being combined with anxiety re-
! specting the international entente.
! The transport ship which arrived Sat
urday at Using Tu with 1,S00 soldiers for
the relief Of the Kiao-Chu garrison pro-
ceeded yesterday for Taku with these
| troops.
TYPHOON AT MANILA.
! MANILA, June 1s.-A typhoon is raging
| and may delay the arrival Of The Niath
| infantry for probably d week J no
| typnoor has caused the United States
| transport Seattle to turn back and sho
now awuits a moderation Of the weather.