Evening star., 1900-06-23
MARINES REPULSED
Attacked Chinese Forces
Near Tien Tsin,
ADVICES FROM ADMIRAL KEMPFF
Expecting News Of the Re-
newed Assault.
DELAY OF TIE NINTH INFANTRY
War Department Officials Are
Chagrined.
DELAY OF TIE NINTH INFANTRY
PLANS FOR REINFORCING

Acting Secretary Hackett this morning re-
ceived dispatch from Admiral Kempfr.
dated Chcfoo. 2:'d, TO the effect that Amer
ic&n marines under Major Waller. together
with Itn Russians, have mad an engage
ment with the Chinese army near Tien Tsin.
They could not break through the line. A
force of 1000. the admiral reports. is now
ready to make another attempt.
Admiral Kcmpff-s dispatch stating that an
engagement had occurred near Tien Tsin
and that another was about to occur sent
a thrill of intense expectancy throughout
official circles here. Other dispatches had
been received, giving additional detail but
these We're not made public. as they did
not shed light upon the engagement it
self. but more on the movement of forces.
Tie official information gave no clue, how
ever. as to the extent of any casualties
which may have been suffered by the Amer
lean forces engaged, and this was taken
10 indicate that the loss was little or moth
ing in The face of such an ill-cquipped
foe.
Major Waller. in command of the Ameri-
can marines who participated in the fight.
is known here brave and efficient Of
ficer whose ooolness and daring Were dis
played during the naval battle of July ) off
Sartiago. when he commanded the marines
on hH;ilu Elt mp iit IL oIlS
OF the students of the navy and the only
one who has appeared as an advocate be-
fore the United States Supreme Court. The
n?Grines cferrcd to in the cable arc 13o men
taken by the Solace from Manila at the
first call for reinforcements.
Loose Use of Language.
Admiral Kempffs specific statement that
the engagement was with the Chinese
army at first caused some sOlictude
1fE. he
tive official statement that the imperial
forces of China. and not the Boxers
were fighting the foreign troops. Later,
however. the view obtained that the ad-
uiral had used the words Chinese army
as handy means Of expressing the Chinese
opposition encountered. without intending
to officially declare that the imperial troops
were fighting. Considerable regret was ex-
pressed among high officials that such a
1CC use of the words "hombardment'
and Chinese army should he made at
juncture when these terms are Of extreme
Importance in defining the course of this
and other governments. The view of the
administration was that the dispatches
were not yet of sufficiently definite char
acter to show that any with China was
in existence.
Relieved Regarding Pekin.
The anxiety over the situation at Pekin
was somewhat relieved when the State De-
rartment received letter from the Chinese
minister. Mr.. Wu, stating that he was ad-
vised by cable from the viceroy of Nankin
that the legations at Pekin We're safe. What
the means Of Information OF the viceroy of
Nankin are is not known. but the author
tiles here Were rone the less grateful for
this rcassurng word The alarming press
dispatches from Shanghai were accepted
with much reserve by the officials But in
quarters likely to be thoroughly advised
the Shanghai statement that Prince Tuan
was In charge of a portion of the Chinese
troops was credited as accurate If this is
established heyond doubt the situation may
become even more acute than al present
as Prince Tuan is the father of the heir an
parent, and one OF the officials most closely
1deniifed with the empress dowager.
The Shanghai statement of A practical
'Anglo-American alliance ELECTED another
expression Of Indignation and disgust from
the officials here, who have grown weary
oil explaining that there is absolutely no
such alliance. but simply parallel action by
this and all other governments toward the
common end OF protecting their respective
people and property.
No News From Pekin,
In answer to request from the depart
ment how many Americans were in Pekin.
Rear Admiral kempfr replies under today's
date. via Chefoo. that 80 Austrians IL
French. 5o Germans. - British, 40 Italians.
Y japanese. 10 Russians and IS Ameri-
can troops are In Pekin.
re lurtntf says. NO news of where
abouts of Pektn relief expedition reported
by cablegram June - Ja3anese expect
several thousand troops now due No news
from Tien Tsin or Pekin since last report"
This dispatch arrived at the Navy De-
ptrtment prior to the dispatch announcing
that fighting was in progress between the
Chinese imperial troops AMI the interna-
Gonai column outside of Tien Tsin.
The soInce at Nagasaki.
The Navy Department received a dis
patch this morning announcing the ar
rival OF the Solace at Nagasaki, japan
The Solace took a force of 100 marines
under Major Littleton w. T Waller. to
Taku from Cavite, p. L., at the first call
for reinforcements from Admiral KempfY
No explanation is given at the Navy De-
partment as to why the Solace went over
to NaSasaki, instead of remaining with the
American fleet AT Taku. but it is believed that
she made the trip to the Japanese port for
the purpose of being in more direct tele-
graphic communication with the depart
ment. II was the original plan to have the
Solace put Major Waller's marines ashore
at Taku and continue homeward to the
United States, but, in view of the critical
state of affairs in China, 1t is probable
that she will remain with the Chinese
feet and be used as a transport or a dis
patch boat 1t may be that the depart
ment will find 1t necessary to send dupli-
cate messages to kempn via Nagasaki,