Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-12-06
NAYY'S Splendid RECORD
Secretary Long Makes Annual Re-
port On Operations of His
Department.
CHINESE CAMPAIGN GIVEN FIRST PLACE.
High Praise for American Scacmrn
and MISUNDERSTANDING in Person
mel of Navy and Additional Ship.
Asked of COngrcsS-NatiounlN Naval
Reserve Is Suggested.

Washington, Nov. 27.-The annual re-
port of Secretary of the Navy Long con-
tains many interesting comments on The
work OF our sailors and marines during
the past year. and MANY important rec
concentrations for changes in the rayal
service.
The work of the navy in Chinese wa
tiers. and the part PLAYED by our sailors
and marines in the stirring scenes at
tending the Boxer uprising in that Coun-
Try. is given first place in the report.
Ii is pointed out that because OF pre-
cautonarN measures taken by the de
partment before the beginning OF the
trouble in Picking this government had
adequate naval force at tho nearest sea-
port town from which assistance could
be offered when the trouble came. and
that before the closing of communication
between the Chinese coast and Picking
force of marines. consisting of Oh 9th
GERS and men, had been sent to Peking TO
serve as a legation guard. or the part
which this suard took in the stirring
scenes which followed Secretary tons
says.
Dramatic Incidents.
The annals of history present few ex-
amples of more dramatic interest than
the story OF the beleaguered legations in
Picking. from June 20, 1900. the dat" on
which the German minister was Killed
and the siege began. until August ~
when the allied forces entered the Chi
nese capital Official and unofficial re-
ports. and particularly the dispatches y:
our minister. show that the American
marines bore their full share in the bur
denS OF defense during this memorable
siege. The United States legation was
situated JUS, inside OF and near To the
wall OF the Tartar city. When the les;;-
tons were assaulted. the American de
tachment Immediately occupied Il posi-
ton Oh the city wall. a strategic point
OF great Importance. established an I'M
provlsed sandbag fort there. which an
abled them TO defend the section of wall
Immediately commanding the legations.
and. although repeatedly attacked by
overwhelming numbers. and on two ""cA-
SlonS driven for a few minutes from the
wall, they We're never permanently dis
lodged, bwt held this vital position uy,ii
relief came.
Praise for American Seamen.
He also praises highly the force ot
American seamen and marines which.
under Capt. Mccalla. participated in the
attempt led by Admiral Seymour of the
English navy. to relieve the legations u;
Picking. That the heroism of these men
was appreciated abroad we'll as at
home is proven by the following extract
from letter of Admiral Seymour to the
American naval officer at Taku. whirh
is made Il part of the secretary report:
II cannot conclude my letter without
expressing to YOU. sir. the high admira
ton have Tor Capt. b. III. McCala. who
accompanied us i'm command of your OIL
GERS and men Their post was usually in
the advanced guard where their zeal and
go praised by all regret to state
that Capt. Mctalla wounded in thrc.
places, but considering the gallant way
in which he exposed himself | only
equally SURPRISED and thankful that he
is alive "