The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-27
Left Manila To-day on the Transport Logan,
Under Command of Col Liscum.
Dispatch from Admiral Kempff Confirming the Re-
ported Relief of Tien-Tsn-Another Rebuff
for Chinese Viceroys Who Fear War.

WASHINGTON. June 2s.-The purpose OF
The government to place an adequate mill
clear to-day when orders were issued to
Brig. Gen. Adna r. Chaffee to take COM
mand of the forces in China and to pro-
ceed at once to assume his new duties.
More significant probably than the assign
nient itself was the wording of the formal
orders to General Chaffee, issued late in
john. directing him ito take command of
the troops ordered to China" and to pro-
ceed to Pekins by way of San Francisco and
Taku. accompanied by his aids 1t has
been expected that the military forces
would be concentrated at Che-Foo or some
other convenient military base, but the
of the Chinese empire. indicated a firm
determination the part of the govern
ment authorities to have a strong mill
tary force at the seat of the Chinese gov
ernment.
The announcement of General Chaffee's
assignment and the orders TO proceed to
Peking came after the State Department
had declined to accede to second prop
osition from six great viceroys of China
that foreign troops be kept out of China
until Ii Hung Chang reaches Peking. In
more formal manner, with the signatures
Of the six viceroys representing the great
er part OF the empire. Minister wu repeated
bis plea Of yesterday that the foreign
troops be kept out of the country. Sec
retary Hay laid the formal request of the
yiceroys before the Cabinet meeting. but
there was no disposition to vary from the
Presidents determination, already made
known by Secretary Hay to the Chinese
minister. to send our forces to such points
as were menaced and where our officials
and citizens were in danger. While the
viceroys spoke for their provinces. they
could not speak for Peking, and 1t is to
Peking that the officials most anxiously
look. Minister Conger is still silent and
the latest advices have shown that little
reliance can be placed on the dispatches
from Shanghai saying that the minister
and legations atPeking were safe. For
this reason the ord<s to General Chaffee
to proceed to Pekiny took on an added
meaning.
CONFERRED WITH HAY.
Gen. Chaffee was In conference with the
War Department authorities most of the
day. and in the afternoon spent nearly an
hour with Secretary Hay going over those
phases OF the Chinese situation in which
military action.
Secretary Long received nothing during
the day beyond the early dispatch from
Admiral Kempn. stating that the COM
bined forces had entered Tien-Tsin. and that
the Seymour expedition was reported ten
miles from Tlen-Tsin surrounded. This
another condition which may prove even
more grave The casualty list OF the first
engagement was awaited anxiously and
arrangements were made by the officials
20 have relays through the night in order
that this list might be handled with the
greatest dispatch and be given to the pub
lie at first opportunity.
The Navy Department to-day received
telegram from a number OF the officers
assigned TO the Wisconsin, now under con-
struction at San Francisco. asking TO be
assigned 10 active service in Chinese
waters. The officers signing the dispatch
were Captain Reiter. Lieutenant Com
manders Milton and Mayo, Lieutenants Nc
Eiroy. Ackerman and vogelgrasana and
Ensign cronin. The department to-day
accepted the services OF an officer on the
retired list. under authority conferred by
. recent act OF Congress. The officer is
Lieutenant J. G. Townley. retired. who is
ordered 10 sail on the steamer leaving san