Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-25
start. She took on 1874 sailors and marines,
taken to Hong Kong by the Zafiro. The

start. She took on 1874 sailors and marines,
taken to Hong Kong by the Zafiro. The
big ship may now have chance to repeat
her celebrated performance around the
Horn as she Is being crowded for fast
run to the scene Of action. The distance Is
about 100 miles and if she makes her rec
ord time she will be at Taku in six days.
and before the Brooklyn arrives from Ma
Mia. These ships are the only additional
ones going to China.
Naval officials pronounce untrue the re-
port that the gunboats Marietta. Princeton
and several other ships at Manila have been
ordered to Taku. There is felt to be no
need for them, and. moreover, with the
ships now under orders to sail. Admiral
Remey will have force which is consd-
cred abundantly able to meet every possible
requirement.
War Department Preparations.
The war branch of the government is pre-
pairing for any eventuality that may arise
out of the Chinese situation. AS stated by
enc of the highest officers of the army. the
scale of preparations Is Of a magnitude
which would both interest and surprise the
public. But, he added. the Information
would be Of even greater interest and ser
vice to any foreign foe which the United
States may be called upon to face within
the next few weeks or months, and for that
reason there is no purpose to make public
the complete preparations making to meet
whatever issue arises. All that the officials
will say is that both the army and the navy
if the occasion arises will give a good &C
count of themselves.
While the Berlin reports as to the safety
of Baron Kettler and the legation at Pekin
appear to dispose of one Of The most alarm
ing stories of the crisis, Minister Corger at
Pekin is still cut off from communication
here. and there is no direct and official as
surance Of the safety Of the ministers and
legations. nor is there a word of the relief
force including the Americans which
sought to break through Pekin-
AnxiousIy Awaiting.
The officials waited anxiously throughout
the day to learn the result Of the second
movement against Tien Tsin. but up to a
late hour no further word had come from
the admiral or any other source. The news
was sufficient. however, to accentuate the
need of reinforcements, and the energies Of
the War and Navy departments were ex-
erted in preparing to forward men, ships
and supplies as fast as possible. The dis
patch of troops from Manila is mainly i'm
peded by the severe storms now raging in
the Indian sea. Hurry orders were given
to make ready for sea the three naval col
liers, Hannibal, Alexander and Saturn, now
at Norfolk, for the purpose of taking sup
plies 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,
possibly portion of the North Atlantic
squadron But naval officials stated that,
while Admiral Remeys force at Manila
had been much depleted. there was no pres
ent purpose to send more 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 vas
sells we'll suited for Chinese waters; while
the New York, Texas, Massachusetts. In
diana, Kearsarge and Kentucky give a re-
serve of strong vessels which can be
drawn upon If the developments seem to
warrant such course.
The American naval force in China at
present consists Of the Newark. 400 men
Monocacy, 275; Nashville, 275. all at Taku
the Yorktown, 300, at ChefoO. The Oregon
Is under way to Taku. but cannot reach
the scene of action short Of four days. The
Iris, a supply ship, also Is on the way.
With the Brooklyn. this will give Admiral
Kempfr a fleet of seven ships, including
the Oregon, when they are assembled a
week hence.
The plan Of sending the monitor Monad-
mock from Manila to Taku has been aban-
doned Admiral Remey reported that the
vessel had been stripped of her officers
and for this and other reasons 1t was not
deemed advisable to send her. Chief among
these reasons Is the fact that the typhOons
now raging In the eastern seas would make
a voyage Of such q vessel as the Mona\p'
mock with her low freeboard. very uncer-
tain. She would have to be lowed the
greater part OF the distance. and this would
delay the arrival in Chinese waters Of any
other ship which would be sent with her.
China Opposed to Landing of Troops.
The Chinese officials. according to ad-
vices received here, are apprehensive as to