Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-19

calibres. In the construction of all
forts Of the second zone the muddy
clay soil of the coast was used, which,
during the dry season, becomes crack
ed and clumbles very easily and the
garrison is continually making repairs
In Taku are the materials for closing
up the mouth of the Pe-Ho. All the
coast Notifications have mines.
Washington. June 1S.-The actual
news of the Chinese situation was re
ceived by the navy department in two
cables, the cont ntS of which We're
made known.
The department has received a ca
blegram from Admiral Remey at
Cavite. dated June IS, that informs the
department that Commander Taussg
cables that the Taku forts at the
mouth Of the river. Pei-Ho) fired on
the foreign gun vessels and surrender
ed to the allied forces. on the morning
Of the 18th. The department has in
structed Admiral Kempff to concur
with the other powers in taking all
steps necessary T. protect all Ameri-
can interests.
A dispatch from Taussig. dated Chez
Foo. Il, says that the Taku forts fired
on foreign vessels, at 12.45 in the morn
ing, and reports that the British adj
mral is at Tien Tsin.
The press dispatches from Manila,
last night. saying that the 9th Infan-
try had been ordered To Manila from
Tarlac for service in China exposed
the secret plans Of the war depart
ment to dispatch troops to the scene
Of trouble in China. Admiral Remeys
dispatch follows:
$40 A. M-Cavite, June 1S-Bureau
Of Navigation, Observation-Disclosures
cables that the Taku forts fired upon
foreign gun vessels and then surren-
dered to the allied forces, the morning
Of July Il.
"Kempff says instructions about join
ing other powers who are taking united
action in demanding that the Taku
forts be turned over to them to secure
favorable termination Of the trouble.
VIII the department instruct Kempff,
through Taku. at Chez Foo, and give
mo the same information? (SigneD
Remey."
The telegram from Commander Taus-
sig of the Yorktown is as follows:
-Chee Foo. June 17.-Taku fort fired
upon foreign vessels, about 12.43 a. NJ;
surrendered to allied forces at a. NJ.
The British admiral at Tien Tsin.
(Signed) Taussig.'
Secret orders We're sent to General
Macarthur, few days ago. to prepare
for the prompt dispatch of troops to
Taku. but it was not intended that
the matter should become public until
Now that the matter has leaked out
from Manila, the officials of the war
department admit that the adminstr2-
ton has concluded TO send troops to
China for the protection of the lives
and property of American citizens.
The following cable message from
General Macarthur bearing on this
subject was made public at the war de-
partment, this morning;
Ninth Infantry, Col. Liscom, ordered
to Taku on the Logan; transportation
will go on the Port Albert. probably
start 2Sth. Typhoon delays move
ments."
The voyage from Manila to Taku will
occupy a least a week, so that under
the most favorable circumstances II
appears that these troops Will hardly
reach the Chinese port before July l.
The state department, this morning,
received a cablegram from United
States Consul Dow at Shanghai report
ing the news previously conveying 10
the navy department by Admiral
Remey and Commander Taussig. The
officials here are puzzled by Taussig
statement that the British admiral has
arrived at Tien Tsin. They do not
know that more than one British ad-
miral was in the Pei Ho river and that
one was Admiral Seymour. who led the
international relief column toward
Pekin.
If it is this officer who has returned
to Tien Tsin then the assumption is
that the relief column has failed ana
has been compelled to retreat TO Tlen
Tsin. This assumption would explain
the statement brought by the Japan
csc torpedo boat that the foreign lega-
tions at Pekin had been taken, for
that is the only manner in which the
news could have reached Ten ISM
In this case it is said that nothing
could be done for the relief OF the Tor
aipn ministers at Pekin, supposing
that they are still alive, until very
murb stronger relief column can be
formed and marched over land to
Pellin. Weeks must elapse before this
can b, accomplished. 1t is difficult TO
ct precise official view Of the status
Of our relations with China since this
last case.
The conclusion that we are in state
of war is emphatica!ly negatived by
thc officials best competent 70 speak.
The chinese minister. Mr.. WI. was an
carly visitor to the state department.
TODAY. He does not believe that we
are at war with China. He said that
there had evidently been q great mis-