The sun., 1900-07-26
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, THURSDAY. JULY2a,


We're advancing merely to receive their
countrymen and not to attack our capi
tai. 1t is easy enough for me to under
stand the movement of the allies, but
their actions will be very differently in
terpreted by the mass of the Chinese.
'If the information ] have been re-
ceiving from Chinese officials is correct
and sincerely believe 1t the imperial
government is now in position to pro-
tect foreigners and safely escort them to
Tien-tsin. 1t would be much better for
the allies to give our government chance
to do its best and quietly wait for the
ministers and their military escort to
reach Tien-tsn."
Notable Omission.
A notable omission in Mr. Conger's dis
patch is the failure to mention the assas-
sination of the German minister at Pc
king, which surely occurred many days
before he wrote his message 1t is also
noticed that the dispatch is dated two
weeks before the famous cipher message
from Mr.. Conger produced here by Min
lister Wu.
An encouraging feature of the message
is the indication that direct telegraphic
communication has been restored between
the cable end at Shanghai and Chefu.
The news dispatches have been delayed
Il full week lately between Chefu and
Tien-tsin, and this relief is very crate
fully received
Adjutant General Corbin has received
a cable dispatch from General Chaffee
announcing his arrival on the transport
Grant ut Nngasaki He cables all well.
As soon rs the Grant is c0aled she will
] q
fee, on his arrival, received the cable dis
patch announcing his appointment as a
major general Of volunteers.
Tho state department has received
dispatch from Consul General Goodncw,
but ii is stated that it contains nothing
to clear up the situation ut pcking. Mr.
Goodnow says that Ii Hung Chang will
remain III Shanghai for the present and
will conduct his negotiations from that
city There is an intimation that Earl Lii
is detained at the request of the foreign
officials although this was not so stated
| BY Acting Secretary Hill.
The navy department has made public
the mail report of Rear Admiral Kemp1f
explaining his reasons for refusing to
join with the ships of the other powers
| i'll the attack on the Taku forts. Admi-
raj Kempff also incloses the report OF
Commander Wise of the Monocacy Civ
ing a graphic account of the action.
Rear Admiral Kempff's explanation for
refusing to participate in the attack on
the Notifications of power with which
we were at peace is warmly commended
by Secretary Long.
Admiral kempfR's Report.
The reports are as follows:
/ G Elarsbir Na,,.arL Tol.,, china J,,na
| Sir-l would state what follows in regard to tho
happenings previous to the resolve yesterday BY
other senior foreign naval officers here to get
possession Of the Taku forts.
On Thursday, June H. Rear Admiral Bruce call
| ed and asked what thought OF the matter, and
| informed him that | not authorized to init
ate any act of with country with whom nl
country was at peace; that my limit was to pro
tcct American interests, both by regulations ant
under recent instructions from both the depart
ment and from the commander in chief OF th'
United States naval force on the Asiatic station.
TN the 18Th at consultation OF the other for
eign naval officers it was agreed that the railroad
station at Tongku should be taken CHE railwal
is under Chinese government control), and il
case any Chinese government force acted agains
tile force OF any foreign nation all should be in
yolvcd and act unitedly. Under my instruction.
could not join in taking possession of the gov
ernment property and did not care to become
party to suen agreement without special au
thority.
Yesterday, June 10, the same foreign naval Off
GERS signed a compact that il necessary L
take temporary possession of the Taku forts, ant
notice was served on the viceroy at Tientsin an'
on the commandant Of the forts. Consuls a
Tientsin were informed Of what was contemplat
ed did not join in the attack the forts
Captain Wise Of the Monocacy had orders to pro
tect American interests, based upon department
orders. but in case of attack by Chinese govern
ment force he was to consider it as declaration
OF war and act accordingly. Very respectfully,
Louis kEMPFF.
Rear Admiral u. S. Navy.
Second in command United States naval force
Asiatic Station.
To The Secretary Of the Navy Department, Wash
ington Bureau Of Navigation).
Commander wise's Report.
U. S. s. Monocacy Third Rate, Tonku, China
June II.
Sir-I have the honor to report upon the oc
: currences since yesterday noon. | attended
meeting of officers at p. m. on board the Bor
, bora | was shown the protocol and utimatur
as to the Taku forts. The signatures TO the docu
ment were autographic- and, as yours was nc
appended / informed the senior officer that h
would have to leave the Monocacy out OF tn
! plans and places for vessels OF the attacking
2 forces.
/ The first gun was fired at 12:45 a. M, and, wit
the simultaneous discharge tnat follOWeu, TWO e
. the shots passed over the Monocacy although si
was out of the line OF fire between the forts an
vessels attacking.
The Hits did not leave her BERTH which was
short distance from mine, until "a and III
japanese did not leave hers during the bonbart
! ment.
The fire was well sustained on both sides, anc
although shells continued at intervals to pass nca
me or burst short or beyond, | attributed it to
wild firing by the forts. About 2:3O was standin
. on top of the pilot house by the Calling. ha
! mounted there when | heard shell approachin
and then a crash
The second cutter, hanging at her davits fe
q feet below and behind me, had been struck by
n she'll 1t entered her stern, tore out the hottoi
and ranging diagonally across the ship Z; ne
! the nort forecastle ladder and passed through III
Sims side in which il left clear cut oval
feet by 10 inches. There many men on I'll
/ forward main deck. and it must have gone
r close to some Of them as it did to me. 1t fortl
o mIcly missed the launch's davit, as that woul
e have caused il to explode.
|, A tremendous Explosion.
o II was difficult to make out how the alli
p wore farine, but they were evidently closing il
.s after 3 a. nj discharges from guns like Ca
linps or Maxims were heard. At there was
tremendous explosion and mass of flame, whic
d attributed to a magazine in one OF the forts.
y Toward o'clock the bursting OF she'll in n
o near vicinity increased to such an extent that