The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-19
TO ACT WITH OTHER POWERS.
KempfY Given Further Instructions to
Protect American Interests.

Protect American Interests.
WASHINGTON, June 1s-The Navy De-
partment has made public the texts of two
cablegrams received this morning from
Admiral Remey and Commander Taussig.
The first, from Admiral Remey, is dated
Cavite, 9:40 a. m, June is. 1t reads:
'Taussig cables that the Taku forts fired
or foreign gun vessels, and then surren-
dered to the allied forces the morning of
June II. Kempff asks instructions about
Joining 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. Will the de-
partment instruct Kempff. through Taku,
at Che-Foo, and give me the same informa-
tion?'
The telegram from Commander Taussig,
of the Yorktown dated Che-Foo. June IL,
is as follows:
sTaku forts fred on foreign vessels about
12:45 a. m Surrendered to allied forces at
| a. m The British admiral is at Tien-
! Tsin."
The Navy Department has instructed Ad-
miral Kenipff to concur with the other
powers in taking all steps necessary to pro-
| tect all American interests. Owing to the
eccentric action of the telegraph wires and
cables. which interferes with Admiral
| Kempff communicating with the Navy De-
partment and also with his superior Of
| fcer. Admiral Remey, at Manila, the Navy
Department may give Admiral Kempff an
| Independent command in the interests of
quick dispatch of business.
There has been no friction whatever be-.
| tween the two admirals. and the comman-
| der-in-chief of the station, Admiral Remey,
| has lent due support 10 Admiral Kempf
| during the crisis. The Yorktown was sent
| from Shanghai to Che-Foo by Admiral
| Remey without express instruction from
| the department, and has served
very useful purpose there. 1t is supposed
at the Navy Department that Admiral
/ Remey has pursued similar course with
| respect to the gunboat Concord, the sister
| ship of the Yorktown, which, according to
press dispatches from Manila. sailed yes
| terday from that place under sealed orders.
Il
| department that no instructions to that ef-
| feet had gone forward from here, so it is
l supposed that Admiral Remey is again act
ing voluntarily to strengthen the hands of
| Admiral Kempff.
| The State Department this morning
ceived a cablegram from United States
Consul Goodnow, at Shanghai, repeating
| the news previously conveyed to the Navy
| Department by Admiral Remey and Com
mander Taussig. The officials here are puz-
| zled BY Taussig's statement that the Brit
| ish admiral has arrived at Tien-Tsin. They
| do not know that more than one British
| admiral was in the Pei-Ho river, and that
| one was Admiral Seymour. who led the in
/ ternational relief column towards Peking.
| II IL is this officer who has returned to
| Tien-Tsin. then the assumption is that the
relief column has failed, and has been
| compelled TO retreat to Tien-Tsin. This as
| sumption would explain the statement
brought by the Japanese torpedo boat that
the foreign legations at Peking had been
taken. for that is the only manner in which
the news could have reached Tien-Tsin. In
| this case IL is said that nothing can be
done for the relief of the foreign ministers
4 at feklngs SuppOSlnS lndl tney are Stlli
| alive, until a very much stronger relief
| column can be formed and marched over
| land to Peking. Weeks must elapse before
| this can be accomplished.
| Great apprehension exists at the Navy
| Department as TO the fate of the United
| States marine guard OF fifty-six men which
| was landed at Tien-Tsin and dispatched by
| rail to Peking before the railroad was in
| terrupted. They went forward to Peking
under an authorization granted by the Chi
| nese government 10 the United States min
| lister at Peking. in common with other
4 ministers, to employ a naval guard at the
| legation. Just before the wires from Pc
| king cut word came that Minister
Conger had detached twenty OF these ma
rines from his legation and placed them
as a guard at the Methodist compound
| This Is an inclosure OF some ten acres. sit
| uated nearly mile distant from the lega-
| ton. where many missionaries and their
| families. well as the large number of
| native Christians. are believed 10 have
taken refuge.
The instructions sent TO Admiral Kempff
relative to his participation In the seizure
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