Evening star., 1900-06-08
REBELLION IN SOUTHERN CHINA.
An American Said to BE One of the
Lenders.

VICTORIA. B. C, June S-According to
news from the orient brought by the steam
or ldzuma Maru. rebellion has broken
our in four southern provinces of China
kwang Tung. Kwang 81. Kule Chow and
Hu Nan. The rebellion is reported by the
Shanghai papers to be under one leader,
and an American IS rumored to be one OF
the leading spirits. The Canton CORE
spOndent of the Shanghai paper says the
rebels are buSily smuggling in arms, In
cluding large numbers of quick-iring guns
They are said to number 5000 and more
daily joining them.
Ii Hung Chang, the viceroy at Canton Is
said TO be alive to the danger, and he is
importing modern munitions of war to arm
the Chinese troops. Five thousand Maui
Sers have arrived al Canton out of a con-
s.gnment Of 15,0o0 ordered by him.
CableSram From Kempff.
The following cablegram was received at
the Navy Department this morning from
Admiral kempff, on board the Newark, off
the Taku forts:
''TONGkC. June s, 1900
Secretary of the Navy. Washington:
Battle yesterday between Chinese and
Boxers near Tien Tsin. Large number of
Boxers expected reach Tien Tsin tomorrow.
'KEMPFF.'
Minister Conger at Pekin has also been
heard from today. His message to the
State Department a simple request
for instructions 1t was not deemed proper
by the officials to indicate upon Just what
point Mr.. Conger needs advice. but there.
is an intimation that he wishes to know
to what extent he is to cooperate with
the diplomatic representatives of the Euro
pean powers at Pekin. Secretary Hay took
the message to the cabinet meeting, where
the answer will be framed.
The State Department is steadfastly pur-
suing the line of policy laid down at the
hk-g nf 10 .f p,,<iI
ing any interference with Chinese internal
affairs beyond such measures as may be
absolutely necessary for the protection of
American life and property there. Es-
pecially is it determined to avoid commit
ment to the policies of any of the Euro
pean powers, which might involve the
United States in trouble. Therefore. not
withstanding the ominOus news conveyed
in Admiral kempffs cablegram. 1t seems
entirely probable that Minister Conger will
be directed to stick to the same line of
policy which has served so well up to this
time.
Will Not Evnde Responsibility
II Is not to be understood from the above
statement that the United States govern
ment is desirous of evading any proper
measure OF responsibility, and the State
Department officials are careful to point
Out that, while retaining our independence
of action. our government is really acting
concurrently with the European govern
ments respecting the Boxer agitation
Thus. at Taku Admiral Kempff is acting in
a similar manner to the commanding Off
GERS of the foreign navy there assembled
although his orders are subject to the ap-
proval of no one of their number At
Tien Tsin. forty miles up the river which
the admiral says may be attacked tomor-
row, the foreign naval commands are act
ing together. II is said that in case an
emergency involving jeopardy to the lives
of foreigners. the United States forces at
Tien-Tsin might even be directed in their
general movement by the senior naval
officer ashore. even though that officer
should happen to be a German, a Russian.
Frenchman an Englishman
This temporary subordination of author
ity might be brought about. and in fact.
would exist solely through military ext
gency.
Need of n Chief.
If Tien-Tsin is to be attacked by a vast
horde Of Boxers. II is entirely conceivable
according to military practice, that a sue
Cessful defense of the foreign lives and
property in the city can be maintained only
through the assumption of the command
OF the foreign naval forces by one COM
Petent officer: too many captains may mean
defeat. In view Of this possibility, the as