New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-24
NEED OF REINFORCEMENTS.
NO LIKELIHOOD OF EXTRA SESSION OF
CONGRESS APPREHENSION FOR
MINISTER CONGER.


Washington, June 23-The news from Ad-
miraI Kempff was sufficient to accentuate the
need of reinforcements, and the energies of the
War and Navy departments were exerted in
preparing TO forward men, ships and supplies
as fast as possible. The dispatch of troops
from Manila is mainly impeded by the severe
storms now raging in the Indian Sea. Hurry
orders were given to make ready for sea the
three naval GOLFERS, the Hannibal, the AleXan-
der and the Saturn, now at Norfolk for the
purpose of taking supplies of coal to the Asiatic
Station
This led to the belief in some quarters that
the Golfers might be accompanied by some OF
the powerful ships now in Atlantic waters, pos
sibly portion of the North Atlantic Squadron.
but naval officials stated that while Admiral
Remey's force at Manila had been much de-
pleted there was no present purpose to send
ships In case they are needed, however,
the Atlanta is ready at New-York and the
Bancroft at Boston. both of them being light
draft vessels. we'll suited for Chinese waters
while the New-York, the Texas the Massachu-
sets the Indiana, the Kearsarge and the Ken
lucky give a reserve of strong vessels which can
be drawn upon if the developments seem to war
rant such course.
The American naval force in China at present
consists of the Newark, 400 men; the MOnocacy,
275 men: the Nashville 30 men. all at Taku,
and the Yorktown. 300 men, at Che-FoO. The
Oregon which is under orders to go from Hong
Kong, will probably start next Monday, but
cannot reach the scene Of action short of six
seven days. The Iris, a supply ship, also is
on the way. This will give Admiral Kempff
a fleet of six ships, including the Oregon, when
they are assembled a week hence.
Outside of the immediate necessity of meet
ing the military and naval requirements, the
Government is chiefly concerned in finding out
to what extent the Chinese Government is
countenancing or assisting the work at Tien-
Tsn. One of the highest officials of the Ad-
ministration said tonight that there was some
evidence that General Tung- Fu-Sen the prin-
cipal general Of the Mahometan Chinese. was
in command and that possibly without orders
from the Chinese Government. he has succeeded
in leading off some of the regular Chinese
troops. This would in part explain Admiral
Kemphs message that the Chinese army is
engaged in the fighting. But the assurances of
the chinese Minister and the communications
from Ii Hung Chang and several of the in
huental VicerOys all lead to the belief that the
Chlnese Government does not direct the move
ments now going on. This uncertainty must be
cleared up within the next few hours, and it
will then be determined whether the authorities
here TO deal with China or an uprising of
Chinese rebels.
The critical condition Of affairs brought out
the usual large crop of sensational rumors.
There were persistent reports that an extra ses-
sion of Congress might be called. but members
II
such movement We're contemplated, dismissed
the report entirely unfounded
The alarming report from Shanghai that the
Empress Dowager had ordered the eXtermna-
ton of ali foreigners in China received
with great allowance at the State Department.
At the same time, this was the eleventh day
Of complete silence the part of Minister
Conger, and every hour of silence adds to the
apprehension among the officials.
General MacArthur's report Of the ambushing
Of the American troops in Luzon, resulting in
a large casualty list, added somewhat to the
perpleXity of the War Department in providing
soldiers for China this was another evil
dence that General Macarthur needed con-
siderable force to garrison and protect the out
lying points.