The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-24
FIGHT IN PROGRESS.
U. s. Marines Opposed by Chinese

" ~ 6AihCS OPDoSCa ny NhAhSsoS
Army Outside Of Tien Tsin.
WASHINGTON. June 23-The Navy
Department this morning received an i'm
portant dispatch from Admiral hempff
stating that an engagement is now II
progress between the United States
marines and other forces against the
Chinese army outside OF Ten Tsin. The
Following bulletin has been issued By
the department:
sActing Secretary Hackett has this
morning received a dispatch from Ad-
miral Kempff, dated Che Foo. June sd
to the effect that our marines. under
Major Waller. together with four hundred
Russians have had an engagement with
the Chinese army near Ten TSin. They
could not break through the line. a
force numbering two thousand, the Ad-
miral reports, is now ready to make an
other attempt
Admiral Kempff's dispatch. stating that
an engagement had occurred near Tien
Tsin and that another was about to oc-
cur, sent a thrill Of expectancy through
out official circles here. Other dis
patches had been received giving addi-
tional details, but these We're not made
public, they did not shed light upon
the engagement itself, but more on the
movements of the forces.
The official information gave no clue.
ualties which may have been suffered by
the American forces engaged, and this
was taken to indicate that the loss was
little or nothing in the face of such an
ill-equipped foe.
Major Waller, in command of the
American marines, who participated in
the fighting. is known here as a brave
F, and efficient officer whose GOODNESS and
daring were displayed during the bat
tie Of Santiago, when he commanded the
marines on board the battleShip Indiana.
The marines referred to in the cable
are $50 men taken by the Solace from Ma
Mia at the first call for reinforcements.
Admiral kempff's specific statement that
the engagement was with the Chinese
army It first caused some solicitude
among officials. for this was the first posi-
tive official statement that the Imperial
forces in China and not the Boxers were
fighting the foreign troops Later how
ever, the view obtained that the Admiral
had used the words "Chinese army as a
handy means of expressing the Chinese
opposition encountered without intending
to officially declare that the Imperial
troops were fighting.
The Shanghai statement of a practical
"Anglo-American alliance" elected an ex-
preston OF indignation from the officials
here, who have grown weary of explaining
that it is simply parallel action by this
and other governments towards the end of
preserving their respective people and pro-
perty. The authorities here are using their
utmost endeavors to bring forward officers
10 meet the requirements of Admiral
Reney.
There are now ffty-two vessels in com
mission in Asiatic waters, showing the eX-
treme large force OF officers.
The Navy Department received a dis
patch this morning announcing the arrival
of the Solace at Nagasak. Japan. No ex-
PLANTATION is given as to why sheswent over
to Nagasaki instead of remaining at Taku
but 1t is believed she made the trip to the
japanese port for the purpose of being in
more direct Geographic communication
with the department. It may be that the
department will find it necessary to send
duplicate messages to I\enpff via Nagasa-
ki, and the Solace could carry dispatches
back and forth and establish direct con-
nection with the department in this way
Admiral kempff's message is of impor-
lance, as showing the present attitude of
the powers represented in Chinese waters.
1t indicates that, for the present at least,
they are operating in harmony for the re-
lease of the foreigners VINO are confined
in the Chinese capital, and that they are
taking active steps, by means of procla-
nation. to have this fact become known to
the aby-inclined Chinese.
Officials here interpret the proclamation
as a conciliatory measure, and believe it
is calculated to restore the confidence of
the Chinese people in the pacific intentions
of the powers.