Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-07-26
ADMIRAL KEMPFF'S REPORT
Explains Why He Refused TO Join in
the Attack on the Taku Forts,
GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHT
Many Details Not Heretofore
Published.
HIS ACTION is COMMENDED BY LONG

Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires.
Washington, July 25. The Navy De-
artment today made public the mail
reports of Rear Admiral Kemptf, ak
planning his reasons for refusing to Join
with the ships OF the other Powers in
the attack on the Taku forts and giving
an account Of the attack, which in
cludes many details not heretofore pub
lished. Rear Admiral Kempf also en-
closes the report Of Commander Wise
Of the Monocacy, giving a graphic ac-
count of the action. Rear-Admiral
Ksmpff's explanation for refusing to
participate 10 the attack on the forth
hoations OF Power with which we
were at peace is warmly commended by
Secretary Long.
In Rear Admiral Kempff's report, he
says in relation to the attack:
"On Thursday, June latin, Rear
Admiral Bruce called and asked what
thought of the matter, and / informed
him that | was not authorized to
initiate any act of war with country
with whom my country was at peace |:
that my limit was to protect American
interests both by regulations and under
recent instructions from both the de-
partment and from the commander-in-
chief Of the United States naval force
on the Asiatic station.
son the 18th, at q consultation of
| the other foreign naval officers, it was
agreed that the railroad station at
Tongku should be taken 1.-THE railway is
under Chinese government control),
and in case any Chinese government
force acted against the force of any
foreign nation involved the foreign
forces should act unitedly. Under my
instructions, | could not join in taking
possession OF Chinese overnment prop
erty, and did not caro- to become party
to such an agreement without special
authority.
Yesterday. June 18th, the same
naval officers signed compact that it
was necessary to take temporary posses
sion of the Taku forts, and notice was
served on the vicercy at Tientsin and
on the commandment of the forts. Con-
suls at Tientsin were informed Of what
was contemplated. 1 did not join In
the attack on the forts. Capt. Wise OF
| the Mopocacy had orders to protect
American interests, based upon depart.
ments orders, but in oass of attack by
Chinese government force he was to
consider it as a declaration of war and
act accordingly
| Rear-Admiral Kemptf then names the
vessels taking part in the action, and
| adds:
1.-The United States ship Monocacy,
being under orders, remained moored
at Tongku, and took no part in the &C,
| ton. Many foreigners were afforded
shelter and protection during the
! night.
Continuing, he says:
1.-THE vessels, except the Tits, took
their assigned positions early in the
evening of the 10th inst, and at about
IL. 50 a. M, one hour before the ex,
piration Of the time limit, all the fort
guns which could be trained on the
ships fired simultaneously, many shots
striking the Koreetz. The vessels re-
turned the fire with rapid fire from
the guns, which, with the exception Ct
the guns of 6-inch oalibre. were all o.
smaller lapid-fire type. The guns or
the north fort were chiefly 4:7-inch,
while the south fort had number o.
guns from to inches in calibre.''
After describing lthe fight at length,
he says
During the engagement, guns were
turned on the Monocacy, which was ou
of the line of fire. She was struck inc
casualties, and was forced to with
draw up the river.