The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-16

adequately protected. Bands of box
ers have appeared in the native town.
They have burned three chapels and
are spreading terror among the inhabi-
tants.
1.-TWO railroad bridges between Tien
Tsin and Lang Fang have been rem
dered impossible by the boxers, and
the construction train dispatched to re-
pair the destruction of the railroad
near Lang Fang has been interrupted
in its advance to the relief of the
troops
In the meantime the German de-
tachment has continued to march to-
wards Pekin by road.
THE Tsung Ii Yamen (foreign office
it is added have sanctioned the entry
of foreign troops into Pekin to the
number of 1.200 men.
WASHINGTON HAS DOUBTS
Washington, June 16.-Nothing has
been heard here from any official source
to confirm the alarming reports of the
destruction of the embassies and lega-
tfons in Pekin, and in view of the fact
that the government itself is not able
! to open communication with the zone
of the troubles the officials are inclined
| to doubt whether private ENTERPRISE
could do more. In other words, they
! don't believe the report. Minister WI
| of the Chinese legation here called at
] the state department this forenoon, but
! he declared that he was without any
advice from his own government, and
said that his visit to Secretary Hay
had reference to a personal matter.
TO SEND FOR NEWS.
Washington, June 16.-Unless tele-
graphic communication with Admiral
Kempf is restored speedily a fast yes
sci will be ordered to proceed from Ma
Mia to Taku for news. Secretaries Hay
and Root were in conference with the
president regarding the sending of
troops to China.
Secretaries Hay and Root left the
White House at 1:55 p. m. They said
they had received no official confrma-
ton of the burning of the legations in
the data possible, they stated, and
would do whatever the situation seemed
to require.
The conclusion reached at the con-
ference was that if communication with
Kempff is not re-established within a
reasonable time forces will be dispatch
ed from Manila to reinforce the Amer
lean contingent. Preliminary inquiries
done in the way of preparing an expedi-
ton. An inquiry as to what conSti-
tuted a reasonable time failed to secure
a definite answer but the impression
was conveyed that unless Kempff is
heard from by Monday troops a
naval contingent will be dispatched
from Manila.
NO WORD FROM CONGER OR
KEMPFF.
Washington, June 16.-Not a word
of news came to the state department
over night from Minister Conger, who
has now been cut off from communica-
ton since last Tuesday. Even the
United States consuls in north China
ports were silent. Admiral KemDh
has not been heard from since yester-
| day. This absence of official reports
has given rise to grave apprehension
| here. 1t was expected that there might
be delay in hearing from Mr. Conger
but in the case of Admiral Kempff al
early report was looked for, and it il
feared that the officers of the foreigl
feet at Taxu- have been prevented from
reaching the cable station there eithe
by the open-hestility of the boxers o
by the sinister orders Of the Chimes
government.
Yesterday Admiral Kempff wa
called upon by direction of the presi
dent for an explicit statement of I'll
situation and his needs. It was for nir
to say whether he required reinforce
ments and troops. If he is. cut off -frOL
reply. then the government must ac
without waiting much longer Ofcours
in that case it would proceed upon tn
theory that additional force, both ship
and troops, perhaps, is needed TIL
element which advocates the use c
troops at once is finding strong sup
port in the apparent inability of the re
lief column to reach Pekin. They argu
that sailors and marines are we
enough in operations along the Sc
coast. but that they are helpless in
hostile country away from their bas
There is nothing corresponding to til
transportation branch of the quarter
masters department in the naval serX
ice. 1t appears from the reports ths
with the railroad destroyed and witt
(Coutinued on sixth Pagel