The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-01
WAITING FOR DETAILS.
Government Anxious for More News
About SeymOur's Force.

About SeymOur's Force.
The great relief experienced in oficial
circles over the positive statement from
Admiral kempf and Consul Ragsdale that
Minister Conger is safe in Pekin, is over
shadowed by the interest in the story of
the international relief column under Vice
Admiral Seymour Details that the Gov
ernment would like to know about the ex-
periences of the column are lacking, how
ever. The list of casualties is desired most
of all. 1t is learned from Admiral Kealpf S
statement that Captain McCalla and En-
sign Taussig were wounded. that there
were no other casualties among the OFF ers
of the American contingent, and that tie
four killed and the others wounded were
all enlisted men.
The composition of McCalla's force is
not known here, but it is supposed to b.
composed of bluejackets and marires of
the Newark Admiral Kempff reported
some time ago that it consisted OF 100 men.
Major L. W. Walters force of 1S9 United
States marines. ambushed near Tisnt 10,
may have been with the column w1ich
went 10 the relief OF seymour. Admiral
Kempn has been instructed 10 teiegra. h
the list of McCalla's casualties as soon as
possible.
Every effort to get news of Minister
Conger and the other Americans in Pekin
is being made by the Government The
despatch received here by Minister WI
Tng-fang several days ago. dated Pekin.
June n and signed by the Tsung-h-
Yamen, or Foreign Office. was authentic.
That despatch said that the Ministers,
after requesting that Seymour's column
be admitted to Pekin and being refused
by the Chinese Government, were prepar-
ing to withdraw. 1t did not appear from
the despatch whether the Ministers had
been hended their passports or merely re-
Quested to leave to ensure their SAFETY,
or whether they were getting ready TO de-
part because of the refusal OF the Gov
ernment to let Seymour enter. or because
they considered that the demand for the
surrender of the Taku forts. of which they
had heard meant WAT between the powers
and China
After referring TO the news of the de-
mand al Taku, the Tsung-li-Yamen says
In its message 30 Minister WI: This
looked like an invasion and We conmuni-
Gated the fact to the foreign Ministers
in Pekir. They are to leave in short
time with their guards for Tientsin.
In view of yesterdays developments, es
Inc VA oc-
spstch, the words quoted have been given
a deep significance. They indicate that the
demand on the Chinese commander at Takr
was considered by the Chinese Govern
ment as an act of war. and that the state
ments OF Admiral Kempff and Consu!
Ragsdale that the Ministers were given
twenty-four hours to leave Pekin on the
18TH" the Pekin date OF the Tsung-li-
Yamen's message, mean that the foreign
diplomatic representatives were handed
their passports, virtual declaration OF
hostilities. Government officials consider
it as extremely probable therefore that
China has been officially waging war
against European powers. japan, and the
United States for the last ten days, but
in view OF the decision of the Secretaries
of State, War, and the Navy, this must be
confirmed before the United States is in a
position to engage in hostilities with the
Chinese Government.