The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-07
HELENA ORDERED TO TAKu.
Another Warship to Assist I'm Protect
ing American Interests.

WASHINGTON, June 6-Bad news con-
tinues to come from Minister Corger and
the American naval force in th,, Pei-Ho
river has been ordered to be reinforced
The minister cabled to-day that the situa-
tion was worse at Peking. and this state
ment, taken in connection with Admiral
Kempffs alarming cablegram of yesterday.
announcing that an engagement had be-
gun. decided the State Department to
strengthen the naval forces nearest the
scene Of trouble. Accordingly cablegram
was sent to Admiral Remey at Manila,
directing him to dispatch at once to Ad-
miral Kempff's command the gunboat
Helena. or. if that craft is not at Manila
and ready for immediate service. then some
craft of correspondingly light draft and
power. The purpose is to place at Admiral
Kempff's disposal an efficient warship cap
able of ascending the Pei-Ho river as far
as Tien-Tsin. Admiral Kempffs flagship
the Newark, drawing twenty-six feet of
water, cannot ascend the river safely be-
yond the Taku forts near the entrance, but
the little Helena, drawing only eleven
feet. can safely ascend TO Tien-Tsin, forty
miles above.
The Helena was specially designed for
service in these Chinese waters, and so is
likely to prove much more effective than
any Of the other foreign warships which
can pass the Taku forts and reach Tien-
Tsin. She carried battery particularly
adapted to dealing with such half-organized
mobs as the Boxers" Besides her eight
four-inch rapid-fire guns. she carries four
six-pounder rapid-firers. four one-pounder
/ ox.fH CoIf
rapid-fire field gun. Edwin X Moore
is commander. and her complement is
three officers and sixty-six men. In view
of the services ahead of her it is expected
that Admiral Remey will add to this num-
ber one or two companies of marines
1t is gathered from Admiral Kempff's
advices that the Boxers are about to attack
Tien-Tsin. so that the Helena will be a
particularly welcome addition to the for
eign expedition in that part of China. If
she leaves Manila to-day she should reach
Taku next Sunday night or Monday morn
ing
Secretary Hay cabled Minister Conger at
Peking an authorization to call for REIN
forcements from Admiral Kempff and to
make such disposition Of his naval force
as he deemed proper to protect the Amer
lean legation and consulates and American
interests generally.
The administration Is still determined
continue on its independent course respect
ing the Chinese situation, though willing
to go as far as possible to aid in the
restoration Of peace and order in China.
Therefore Admiral Kcmpff has not been
instructed to join the other naval COM
manders in the Pei-Ho river I'm concerted
action.
The friends of the American missionaries
In the disturbed zone in China are becom-
ing alarmed and the State Department is
beginning to feel the pressure of their ef-
forts TO adopt an aggressive policy. To-
day inquiries were made as TO the reason
for the passive attitude of the United States
naval forces In Chinese waters while the
Russians are reported to have promptly
sent out military expeditions from Peking
for the rescue of Russian. French and
Belgian subjects whose safety was leopard
lied. 1t was argued that the United States
marines should have been likewise dis
patched to the assistance of the American
missionaries at Pao-Ting-Fu. The DEPART
ment's answer was that Minister Conger.
being on the scene, better prepared
than any one here to adopt relief meas
ures. for which he has already received the
sanction of the department in the shape of
general authorization to protect Amer
lean interests, which. of course means
American lives among other things. 1t was
also questioned whether the very small
| force OF marines at the minister's COM
mand could be used to make a march
| through the hostile country and away from
its base. In that case the United States
legation. the only refuge in the event of an
outbreak in Peking. would be unsafe for
| American refugees as we'll as for the
United States minister himself for lack of
a suitable guard
Meanwhile the developments are being
closely watched and II the next phase
should be still worse IL is probable that
in addition to the Helena at least one more
warship. possibly the Princeton. with a full
battalion of marines. will be ordered up
the Pei-Ho river TO Tien-Tsin. So far the
proposition to call upon General Macarthur
for troops to make up landing party has
not been preached to the War Department.
and II is not expected that such a step will
be taken. save last resort. for IL is felt
15sONTfNTTFO ON TENTH PACE -