The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-24

bering 1000, the admiral reports, is now
ready to make another attempt"
The main Importance of this dispatch
is Admiral Kempff's disclosure that it is
the Chinese army, and not the Boxers,
who are fighting the foreign troops.
WARNING TO CHINESE.
WASHINGTON, June 23.-The following
cablegram from Admiral Kempfi was re-
ceived late this afternoon at the navy
department.:
Che Foo, June %, 19OO.-Secretary Of
the Navy, Washington: Proclamation
issued 10Th:
The admirals and senior naval officers
of the allied powers in China desire IN
the name of their governments to let it
be known to all the -Viceroy5 and the
authorities Of the coast and river prov
inces and cities in China that they in
tend to use armed force only against the
Boxers and those people who oppose
them in the march to Pekin for the res
cue of their fellow countrymen."
-Kempff
EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON.
Admiral Kempffs dispatch, stating that
an engagement had occurred near Tien
Tsin, and that another was about to Oc-
cur, sent a thrill of expectancy through
out official circles here. Other dispatches
had been received, giving additional de-
tails, but these were not made public, as
they did not shed light upon the en-
gagement itself, but more on the move
ment of forces. The official information
gave no clue, however, as to the extent
Of any casualties which may have been
suffered by the American forces which
have been engaged and this was taken to
indicate that the loss was little or nothing
in the face of such an lily equipped foe
Mai. Waller, in command of the a American
marines. who participated in the light, IS
known here as a brave and efficient CT
ficer, whose GOODNESS and daring were dis
played during the battle of Santiago,
when he commanded the marines on board
the battleship Indiana. The marines re-
ferred to in the cable are the 13O men
taken by the Solace from Manila, at the
first call for reinforcements.
Admiral Kempff's specific statement
that the engagement was with the
Chinese army at first caused some So
licitude among officials for this was the
first positively official statement that the
imperial forces of China, ana not the
Boxers, were fighting the foreign troops.
Later, however, the view obtained that
the admiral had used the words "Chinese
army" as handy means of expressing
the Chinese opposition encountered with
out intending to officially dec.are that the
imperial troops were fighting. The view
OF the administration is that the dis
y
character to show that any war with
China is in existence.
The anxiety over the sit lation at Pekin
was somewhat relieved when the state de-
partment received a letter from the
chinese minister, Mr.. WI, stating that
he was advised by cable from the viceroy
or Nankin, that the legations at Palin
are safe. What means of information the
Viceroy Of Nankin has is not known, but
grateful for this reassuring word The
alarming press dispatches from Shanghai
We're accepted with much reserve by the
officials.
SOLACE AT NAGASAKI.
The navy department received dis
patch this morning announcing the ar
rival of the Solace at Nagasaki Japan.
No explanation is given at the DEPART
ment as to why she went over to Nagasa-
kf, instead of remaining with the Amer
lean fleet at TalIu, but it is believed that
she made the trip to the japanese port
for the purpose Of being in more direct
telegraphic communication with the de-
partment. 1t was the original plan to
have the Solace put Maj. Walters ma
rines ashore at Taku and continue home
ward to the United States, but in view
OF the critical state of affairs in China.
1T Is probable that she will remain with
the rest of the Taku fleet and be used as
8 transport or dispatch boat 1t may
be that the department will find it neces-
sary to send duplicate messages to
Kempff via Nagasaki, and the Solace
could carry dispatches back and forth
and establish direct communication with
the department in this way
TROOPS MAY BE DIVERTED.
The war department officials are seri-
ously considering the advisabiIity of
changing the destination of the transport
Grant from Manila to Taku She will
carry two squadrons of the Sixth cavalry.
numbering about 800 men, and a battalion
of marines numbering 230 men. These
troops are now being assembled at San
Francisco and are schelu. ed to start for
the East on the first prox.mo. The Grant
is fast ship and can make the trip to
China in twenty or thirty days The
horses of the cavalry troops are to be
taken over on transports from Portland,
Or.