Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-07
HURRYING TO CHINA.
American Naval Force Ordered
to Be Reinforced.
Situation Still Worse and Matters
Rapidly Approaching Crisis.
Boxer Movement Spreading in All Directions
No Attempt al Checking.

Washington, June 6-Bad news con
tinues to come from Minister Conger
ana the American naval forces in the
Pei-Ho river have been ordered to be
| reinforced
The minister cabled. today, that the
situation Was worse at Pekin and this
statement taken in connection with
Admiral kcmpm's cablegram Of yester-
day. announcing that an engagement
had begun, decided the state depart
mcnt to strengthen the naval forces
nearest the scene of the trouble Ac-
cordingly a cablcgram was sent to Ad-
miral Rcmcy at Manila directing him
to dispatch at once to Admiral
kcmplfs command the gunboat He
lena, or if that craft is not at Manila
and ready for Immediate service. some
craft Of corresponding light draft ana
power.
The purpose is to place at Admiral
krmpff's disposal m efficient warship
capable Of ascending tho Pei-Ho river
rs far u rs Ticn-Tsin Admiral
KempfTs flag hip. the Newark. draw
ing - feet Of water cannot safely as
cend tn" river beyond the Taku forts
near N" entrance. but the little He
lena. drawing only II feet can safely
ascend to Tiau-Tsin 20 miles above.
BESIDES her S.4-inch rapid gun. she car
ries four 6-pouudcrs. ripid-firers. four
1-pounl rapid firers. two Colts ana one
3-inch rapid-firr field gun. she Is com
mandel by capt. Edwin L. Moore ana
bar c,,o,Iar,.n+ is N ,n5,..rs ana 1cc
men.
IN ,.i.v If tb.. ssr,-ic. ahead az ber
if IL .xn.cta5 that Admiral Penney
viu aa1 NJ tbis ai,. III. +,vo cnnnonias
~ ,,.,.i,.s T. +. Gathered fr,ro Al
,,,tr.,I T-,,,,,fr.s .,1,-i.o -b,t ~. Powers
ar. .,I,,r,. VI at-arl- Tian-Tsir en th,+
The 4Iolan, will no, n,rticu1,rIv well
cnr,a addition AN tho roraign Gaat in
,bat r.r+ ,r t.bi,,, II eh, leave. Ma
Mia today She ebou15 reach T,ku
raxt sunday nigh, M. Monday morning
Secretary HAY caI,Iad Niriste, CON
GER nj pekfn an authorization to cali
for endorsements from Admiral
Kcmpn ana tn make such disposition
Of his naval force as he deems proper
to protect the American legation and
.cDuSulates ana Anne rican interests gen
crafty.
The administration is still determin
~ t4lttN nv lllt't t'Af't-' f7''' -
shall continue on its independent
course IN size ting the Chinese situation.
though v.iIlin., to go as far u possible
to aid i'm the r,Sturation Of peace and
nrJ.r III china Therefore Admiral
I[ourff has not been instructed 10 ioin
The other naval commanders in the
Pci-IIu river i'll concerted action.
The friends o. American missionaries
in the disturbed zone If China ale be-
coming alarmed ana the state depart
m. ut is beginning To feel the pressure
If their efforts to ADOPT an aggres-
siye policy. Inquiries were made. to-
dav. as II the reason for the passive
attitude Of the United States naval
forces in Chinese waters While the Rus
slams are reported to have promptly
sent out military expeditions from
Pehin for the rescue Of RUSSIAN,
French and Belgian SUBJECTS whose
safety was ieop1rdized. II was argued
that the United States marines should
rit,a,viea have been disn3tched to the
assistance Of the American mission
aries at Pso Ting Flu.
The only answer the department
.c,uId mako Wa that Minister Conger.
hain., an tLa scene was better prepar-
IA tb,n INV onn bare tn adont relief
,,o,4,,ras IN which HI ha1 already
received the sanction of the depart
mrnt in the shape Of general author
izati"n to protect American interests.
which, of course meant American lives
among other things It also was dues-
of marines at the minister's command
could be used to make march through
a hostile country and away from us
base.