Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1900-06-20
China FIGHTS THE WORLD.
FIRED ON FREIGHT VESSELS.
Battle Was ShOrt-The Guns at the
Fort Silenced-British Gunboat
Damaged-The News Confirmed by
Kempff.

London, June l0.-Shanghai is to the
front again with the statement that the
Taku forts have been occupied by the in
ternationl troops. According to Che
Foo special, II forts opened fire upon the
warships, whereupon the fleet replied in
kind and silenced the Chinese guns and
seized the forts. The news OF this en-
engagement is stated to have been brought
to Che Foo by Japanese warship, but
the date of the occurrence is not given.
According to a dispatch the bombardment
followed an ultimatum sent by the COM
manders of the fleet.
Confirmed by Admiral Kempf.
Washington, June l9.-The navy de-
partment has been informed by Admiral
Kempf that the Taku forts have fired on
the foreign warships, and after brief en-
gagement surrendered.
British GunbOat Was Damaged.
London, June ia dispatch from Che
Foo says: "The forces of the combined
fleets occupied the Taku north forts after
exploding magazine. The British gun
boat aigerine was damaged and two OF
her officers and four men were wounded.
Japan and Russia are reported to be land
| ing a large force of troops"
Berlin, June l9.-The German consul at
Che Foo telegraphs that japanese tor
pedo boat from 1aku has brought the
following:
"The Chinese laid torpedos in the Taku
river and collected troops from Shan Hei
kwan. The foreign commanders assem-.
bled on the Russian flagship and address
ed an ultimatum to the commanders OF
the Taku forts, summoning them to with
draw their troops before 2 o'clock June II.
Forts Opened Fire.
cat a. m, June II, guns of the forts
opened fire, to which the Russian, Brit
isn, french and Japanese warships re-
piled. Inc bombardment lasted seven
hours. The British ships in the river be-
tween the forts are reported to have been
sunk. The telegraph line and railroad
between Tientsin anu Taku were destroy
ed. Communication by water is also
threatened
"The japanese torpedo boat reports
that the legations at Peking have been
taken.
Whether taken by the Boxers, or the
Chinese troops, or the mob is apparently
not stated.
A later dispatch from the same consul
to Berlin states that an engagement Is
proceeding in Taku between the Chinese
forces and the foreign warships. Berlin
also has official information from Shang-
hal referring to the interruption of tele-
graph lines. No trustworthy news what
ever is obtainabe of the events transpir-
ing in Picking.
Washington, June l9.-The war depart
ment confirms the report that the Ninth
infantry has been ordered from Manila to
China. Colonel Liscom commands the
regiment, which has its headquarters at
Tarlac, about two hours distant by rail
from Manila. War department officials
say that the regiment probably is already
ABOARD the transport and ready to sail
for China.
London, June ia dispatch from
Shanghai says Russia has demanded So
100000 taels indemnity for the damage
done to the Chinese railroads in which
Russians are interested.
Silma-In consequence of the gravity
of the Chinese situation the Seventh Ben
gal infantry has been ordered to proceed
to Hong Kong. The cables are reopened.