The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-25


"In ambnscade near Tlen Tsen, on
the q st, four of walters command
killed and seven wounded. Names Will
be furnished as soon as received. Force
Of 1000 going to relieve Tien TsIn to-
day.
(signed) KEMPFF."
The secretary Of the navy has or
dered Admiral Remey to go with the
Brooklyn to Taku and to tender to
General Macarthur conveyance of any
army troops which the Brooklyn can
carry.
Carried to the President.
Admiral Kempnrs dispatch giving the
first definite news of the shedding Of
American blood on Chinese soil, came
early this morning and was turned over
to Secretary Long as soon as he arrived
at the department. with Admiral
crowninsrield, the secretary carried the
dispatch to the white house, where, on
the Presidents return from church, it
was laid before him. The determination
thereupon was reached to order Admiral
Remey in command of the AsIatic
squadron, from Manila, to Taku, on
board Of the armored cruiser Brooklyn
Tho SECRETARY and Admiral crownin-
shield returned to the navy department.
where the necessary orders wore dis
patched to Admiral Remey. Tho effect
Of this transfer is to make Taku the
headquarters Of the Aslatic squadron.
The Brooklyn is expected to sail at
once, to-day II possible. as the orders
sent contemplate getting the admiral on
the scene at the earliest moment,
Authority to Deal With the Situation.
The advantage of this, 1t was OFF,
cIally stated. is not so much in adding
the strength of the Brooklyn to the
fleet already there, os the fleet is con-
sldcred by Sscretpry Long to be quite
ADEQUATE, as 1t is in allowing the au-
thorities here to deal directly with the
situation in China instead Of through
the clrcMtous communications by way
Of Manila. If the Brooklyn starts to-
day. as expected, 1t will take her fully
week to reach Taku. as the trip is
1000 miles, and typhoons Averaging.
The determination to carry some Of
General MacArthur's troops on q dag
ship shows the emergency Of the sit
uatlon. The troops are believed to be
ready to move, but some delay may be
caused in getting on board sufficient
supplies for a large body Of men for a
week.
The Dimensions Of Battle.
Admiral Kempft's report that four
Americans were killed and seven
wounded In the ambuscade OF walters
force caused the gravest concern among
officials, but the chief fear was as to
the outcome of the second attack, which
the admiral reported would begin to-
day. This is little short of the dImen-
sIons of a battle and Its results may be
decisive, not only to the immediate force
employed, but in determining the fate
OF the legations and foreign settlements
at Tien Tsin, and also whether the Issue
is, or is not, to be war with China.
Word rached the navy department to-
day that the battleship Oregon got
away from Hong Kong last night, on
her way to TOku. This is two dayS
ahead of her expected start. She took
on 1874 soldiers and marines, brought to
Hong Kong by the zadrU. The big
ship may now have a chance to repeat
her celebrated performance around the
Horn" as she is being crowded for a
fast run to the scene Of action.
Be at Taku in Six Days.
The distance is about $500 miles, and
II she makes her record time she will
be at Taku in six days about the same
time that the Brooklyn arrives from
Manila. These ships and the Monad-
mock are the only ones going to China.
Admiral CrownInshleId pronounces
untrue tire report that the gunboats
MARIETTA, Princeton and several other
ships at Manila have been ordered to
Taku. There is felt to be no need for
them and moreover, with the ships now
under orders to sail Admiral Remey
will have u force which is considered
abundantly able to meet every possible
requirement. The Monadnock has n
lnRge complement Of men, who can be
used as n landing party, and It is this
rather than her armament which
mikes here so available at this time.
Making Great Preparations,
The war branch of the government is
preparing for any evcntuality tlfat may
arrive out OF the Chinese situation. AS
stated by one of the highest officers OF
the army, the scale of preparations is
Of n magnitude which would both inter.
est and surprise the public. But, h.
added, the Information would be OF even
greater interest and service to any for
olgn foe which the United States mEy
be called upon to face within the next
few months aud for that reason there
is no purpose to make public the COM
piete preparations making to meet the
existing issue. All that the officials will
say Is that both the army and the navy,
II the occasion arises, will give n good
account OF themselves.
AdJutnnt General Corbln was nt his
desk during the morning and after