The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-07-05
Fighting IN CHINA
The Allied Forces Suffer Defeat at
Tientsin in an Attempt to
Break Chinese Lines.
THE SITUATION INCREASES IN PERIL.
Positfon OF the international Troops
Is Considered CritfcaI-AmerIcans
killed-Cruiser Brooklyn Ordered
to Taku-Empress Virtually De-
clares War on the, World.

\ Washington, June 25.-The navy de.
partment Saturday morning received
an important dispatch from Admiral
Kempff stating that an engagement is.
now in progress between the United
States marines and other forces
against the Chinese army, outside OF
Tientsin. The following bulletin has
been issued by the departments:
Acting Secretary Hackett has this
morning received a dispatch from Ad-
miral Kempff, dated Chefoo. June %. to
the effect that our marines under Maj.
Waller, together with 400 Russians. have
had an engagement with the Chinese
army near Tientsin. They could not
break through the line. A force number
ing 1000, the admiral reports, is now ready
to make another attempt"
Increases in Peril.
London, June 25.-The position of
the international forces in the Sec
ton of northern China, where 10000
men are striving to keep a footing and
to succor the legations in Picking, APP
pears to increase in peril with every
fresh dispatch.
Four Americans Killed.
Washington, June 25.-The navy de-
partment Sunday afternoon issued the
following bulletin:
"A telegram from Admiral KempH,
dated Chefoo. n "a. says: In ambus-
cade near Tientsin. on the 2lst, four of
Walters m killed and seven
wounded. Names will be furnished as
soon as received. Force of 1000 going to
relieve Tientsin to-day. KEMPFF.'"
The Brooklyn Sent,
Admiral Kempff's dispatch, giving the
first definite news of the shedding of
American blood on Chinese soil, came
early Sunday morning and was turned
over to Secretary Long as soon as he
arrived at the department. With Ad-
miral Crowninshield, the secretary car
ried the dispatch to the white house,
where, on the presidents return Bonn
church, it vas laid before him. The de-
order Admiral Remey, in command of
the Asiatic squadron, from Manila to
Taku, on board the armored cruis-
er Brooklyn. The secretary and Adj
miral Crowninshield returned to the
navy department, where the necessary
orders were dispatched to Admiral
Remey.
American Troops for China.
Washington, June 25.-Four thou
sand five hundred men, under the COM
mand of Brig. Gen. r. H. Hall, and a
fleet of 16 men-of-war and 500 marines,
under the command of Rear Admiral
Kempff, will comprise the American
force which will protect Americans and
their interests in China.
Held to Be Declaration of War.
London, June 25.-The announcement
that Prince Tuan has assumed active
command of the Chinese troops and
the bombarding of Tientsin seem ON
elusive evidence that the dowager en-
press has declared war on the combined
European powers and that the whole
military strength of China is to be en-
ployed in behalf of the Boxers. In
view of this English forces are hasten.
ing to the empire.
AArmistice Refused.
Washington, June 26.-The chief de.
velopment yesterday in the Chinese
situation was the effort of the Chi.
nese minister, WI Ting Fang, to Sc
cure an armistice in the operation OF
American troops. The president re.
fused the request.
4rs Placed in Command.
Washington, June 27.-The purpose
of the government to place an ade.
quate military force in China was
made perfectly clear yesterday when
orders were issued to Brig. Gen. Adna
r. Chaffee to take command of the
forces in China, and to proceed at
once to assume his new duties. %
Seymour Needs Help.
Chefoo, June 27.-Heliograph COM
munication is established with Admiral
Seymour. He is besieged and sends
urgent appeal for relieving force. He
is apparently hard pressed, but says
legations with him are safe.
The foreigners everywhere are urg.
ing the immediate concentration of
an army of 100000 men, or at least
$4,000 men, for an advance on Picking.
Seymour Relieved.
Chefoo, June 20 (via Shanghai,
noon).-Admiral Seymour's expedition
has been relieved.
Shanghai, June 2s.-The American
mission station at Wahsien, west OF
Chefoo, has been destroyed. The mis-.
sionaries are safe.
Union Reform Party in Illinois.