The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-18
TAKU TAKEN
Chinese Forts Open Fire on
Foreign War Ships.
Fire Returned and the Guns Are
Silenced.
FOREIGN FORCES LAND
And Take Possession of the
FOrtiflcations.
Russia Has Demanded Indem-
nifty of so Million TaeIs.
Ninth Regiment q. s. A. Ordered
to China From Manila.
FORCED TO RETURN.
Marines Under Seymour Unable
to Reach Pekin.
Compelled to Give Up and Re-
turn to Tien Tsin.

London, June 18.-Shanghai is to the |
front again with the statement that the
Taku forts have been occupied by the
international troops. According to a
Che Foo special, II forts opened fire
upon the warships, whereupon the fleet
replied in kind, and silenced the Chinese
guns and the international forces sub
sequently landed and seized the forts.
The news of this 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 Chinese bombardment
followed an ultimatum sent by the com
manders of the fleet.
An official dispatch from the German
consul at Che Foo received in Berlin,
confirms the arrival of a Japanese tor
pedo boat with the following message:
1.-The Japanese torpedo boat reports
that the legations at Pekin have been
taken"
A later dispatch from the same con-
sui in Berlin this morning states that
an engagement is proceeding in Taku
between the Chinese forces and the for
eign warships.
Berlin has also official notification
from Shanghai that owing to the inter-
ruption of telegraph lines no trust
worthy news whatever is obtainable OF
the events transpiring in Pekin.
A dispatch from Shanghai says Rus
sia has demanded fifty million taels in
demnity for the damage done to the
Chinese railways in which Russians are
interested.
INDIAN TROOPS ORDERED TO
HONG KONG.
Simla June 1S.-In consequence of the
| - Ll,.o
Seventh Bengal infantry has been or
dered to proceed to Hong Kong.
COMMUNICATION OPENED.
New York June 18-The Great North
ern Telegraph company has issued a
| notice to the Commercial Gable COM
pany to the effect that the lines to the
far east are in order again.
! AMERICAN TROOPS ORDERED TO
CHINA.
Washington, June 18.@The Ninth in
fantry has been ordered from Manila to
| China. Colonel LiScum commands the
regiment which has had its headquar-
! ters at Tarlac, about two hours dis
| tance by rail from Manila. War de-
! partment officials say that the regiment
! probably is already aboard the trans
! port and ready to sail for China.
The navy department has been in
| formed by Admiral Kempf that the
! Taku forts yesterday fired on the for
eign ships and after a brief engagement
surrendered.
VIA SIBERIA.
New York, June 1S-The central
/ cable offices of the Western Union Tel
egraph company this morning issued
tion with Taku and Tien Tsin has been
re-established via the Siberian and
| Helampo route"
The Commercial Gable company also
makes a similar announcement
TYPHOON IN THE WAY.
/ 40
| partment has received the following ca
! bIegram from General Macarthur at
Manila, dated yesterday: Ninth in
| fantry. Colonel Liscum, ordered to
! Taku on Logan; transport Port Albert
probably start oath. Typhoon delay
movement"
SEYMOUR FORCED BACK.
Washington, June 1S-The actual news
of the situation in China was received
! by the navy department in two cable
I grams, the contents of which were made
known as follows:
THE department has received a ca
| blegram from Admiral Remey at Cavite
dated 18th, that informs the department
| that Commander Taussig cables that
the Taku forts at the mouth of the Pei
Ho fired on the foreign gun vessels and
surrendered to the allied forces on the
morning of the 18th. The department
/ has instructed Admiral kempff to con-
cur with the other powers in taking al
steps necessary to protect all American
interests.
"A dispatch from Taussig dated Chez
Foo 18th, says that the Talxu first fired
on foreign gun vessels at 12:45 in the
morning and reports that the British
admiral is at Tien Tsin."
The press dispatches from Manila last
night saying that the Ninth infantry
had been ordered to Manila for service
in China exposed the secret plans of tbs
war department to dispatch troops te
the scene of trouble in China. Secret or
ders were sent to Gen. Macarthur a few
days ago to prepare for the prompt dis
patch of troops to Taku but it was no.
intended that the matter should become
public until the movement was at leas
underway Now that the matter has
leaked out from Manila the officials ol
the war department admit that the ad
ministration has concluded to SEM
troops to China for the protection of this
lives and property of American citizens
The voyage from Manila to Taku vii
occupy at least week
The state department this morning re
ceived a cablegram from United State.
Consul Goodnow at Shanghai repeating
| the news previously conveyed to the ma,