The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-24
CRISIS IN CH|NA HAS GROWN ACUTE
Fighting at Tien Tsin Said to Have Been
Directed by the Chinese Government
and Army Generals
All Nations Are Preparing to Re-establish
Order and Discussing Plans for Re
modelling Governing Power

WASHINGTON, June 23-Dlspatches
received today from Admiral Iiempff an
nounced that fighting was proceeding
near Tien Tsin. Beyond the information
that American marines under Maj. Wal
Ter and 400 Russians had been engaged
with the Chinese army and that a second
attack with a force Of 200 was about TO
be made, no specific details were received.
The officials waited anxiously throughout
the day to learn the result Of this second
movement, but up to late hour no
further word regarding it had come from
the admiral or any other source. The
news was sufficient, however, to accentu-
ate the need Of reinforcements, ana the
energies of the war and navy department
were exerted in preparing to forward men,
ships and supplies as fast as prss'bIe.
The dispatch of troops from Manila is
impeded by the severe storms now
raging in the Indian sea. Hurry orders
We're given to make ready for sea the
three naval Golfers, Hannibal, Alexander
and Satuyn, now al Norfolk, for the pur-
pose of taking suppress of coal to The
Asiatic station. This leo 20 the belief IN
some quarters that the collie3s might be
. accompanied by some Of the powerful
ships now in Atlantic waters, possibly a
portion of the North Atlantic squadron
But naval officials stated that while Ad-
miral Remey's force at Manila had peen
much depicted, there was no present pur-
pose to send more ships. In case they
are needed, however, the Atlanta is ready
at New York, and the Bancroft at Bos-
ton, both of them being light draught
vessels, well suited for Chinese waters,
while the New York, Texas Massachu-
sets, Indiana, Kearsarge and Kentucky
give reserve of strong vessels which can
be drawn upon if developments warrant
such a scoCrse.
The American naval force IN Chinese
waters at present consists Of the Newark,
400 men; Monocacy, 275; Nashville, 275, all
at Taku; the Yorktown, 300, at Che Foo
The Oregon, which Is under orders to go
to Hong Kong, will probably start next
Monday, but cannot reach the scene of
action short Of six or seven days. The
Iris, a supply ship, is on the way This
will give Admiral Kempff fleet of six
ships, including the Oregon, when they
are assembled a week hence
GRAVEST FEATURE.
Outside of the army and naval prepara-
tions the government is principally con-
cerned as to the extent the Chinese gov
ernment is countenancing or assisting the
warfare at Tien Tsin. One Of the highest
officials of the adminiStrati ton said tonight
that there was some evidence that Gen.
Tung Flu Sen, the principal representa-
tive of the MOhammedan section, was in
command, and possibly without orders
from the Chinese government he had sue
ceeded in leading off some of the regular
Chinese troops. This would, in part, .ex-
plain Admiral Kempff's message that the
Chinese army is fighting. But the express
sions of Ii Hung Chang and several of
the most influential viceroys lead to the
belief that the Chinese government does
not direct the operations now going on.
This uncertainty must be cleared up with
In the next few hours and it will then
be decided whether the government Is to
deal with the Chinese government or a
rebel movement. In the former event a
special session of congress might be
called, but tonight members of the cab
met when asked if such a move was pre-
mediated dismissed the report as un-
founded.
The alarmist report from China that
the empress dowager had ordered the
determination of all foreigners in China
was received with great allowance at the
state department. At the same time tn S
is the eleventh day of compete silence on
the part of Minister Conger and every
hour of silence adds to the apprehension
among the officials.
Gen. MacArthur's report of the ambush
ing of American troops in Luzon result
ing in a large casualty list added some
what to the perpeXity of the war de-
partment of the advisability of withdraw
ing troops for China as it was apparent
that Gen. Macarthur needed a large fol ce
for gar1isoning purposes in Lazon.
FOUGHT HORDEs OF THEM.
LONDON, June "a, $3.50 a. m.-The only
dispatches from China received last night
are those which give further details Of
the repulse of Thursdays attempt to re-
lieve Tien Tsin. According to i dispatch
from Che Foo hordes of Chinese with well
posted artillery block the way of the
American and Russian forces. The guns
of the allies could make no impression and
it was found impossible to Shift the
enemy's position. Nothing could be done
except to fall back and tn s was accom-
plished in good oruer. 1t was as'ertained
that the foreigners in Tie Tsin were
making a gallant defense. The French
concession buildings had been vigarcCsly
attacked with fire and in all probability
have been reduced 10 ashes After the
force retired an armored tram attempted
to reconnoiter, but was derdilcd
More troops are arriving at Taku and
another attempt at relief wi h a force of
much greater strength was to have been
made last Saturday night The Chinese
legation at Berlin received anothnr tele-
gram last Saturday night STATING +be,+
all the legations in Pekin were safe and
that the foreign ministers at that place
were all well.
CHINA SEEMS DOOMED.
WASHINGTON T,,na % r,t ~ -