The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-06-13
McCaIla May Command
all Foreign Forces.
IF TEN TSIN rs ATTACK.
ED BY VAST NUMBER
OF CHINESE.

Washington. June S-The follow.
ing cablegram was received at the navy
department this morning from Admiral
Kempf. on board tho Newark. off the
Taku :orts:
Yong Ku, June 8. 1900.
Battle yesterday between Chioeso
and boxers near Tleo Tsin. Largo
numbers Of boxers expected to reach
Tien Tsiu tomorrow.
Kempf.
Minister Conger, at Pekio. also hes
been heard from today. His message
TO the state department said there was
90 improvement 10 the situation, and
asked for instructions. Secretary Hsy
took the message to the cabinet meet
log. where the answer will be framed.
The state department is steadfss,ly
pursuing the line Of policy laid down
ct tho begiouisg OF ibis boxer trouble
-of avoiding any Interference With
Chinese internal affairs beyond such
measures % may be absolutely ueoes.
ssry for the protection Of American life
snd property there. Especially is it
determined 10 avoid commitment to the
policies Of auy OF tho Europesn powers
which might involve the United States
in trouble. Therefore, notwithstand ding
the ominous news conveyed in Admiral
KempG's cablegrsm. it seems entirely
probable that Minister Couger will be-
directed to stick to the same line of
policy which be bad pursued TO this
time.
It is uos to bs understood by this
that tho United States is desirous of
evsding any proper measure of respon.
sibility, sod the state department off.
oisls are careful to point out that,
while retaining our Independence of
action. our government is really acting
coueurreusly with the European gov.
eromeo,s respecting this boxer agits.
tion. Thus at Taku. Admiral Kemptf
is acting 10 . similar manner to the
eommandiog officers of tho foreieu
navy there assembled. although bis
orders are subject to the approval Of
no one. At Ten Tsio. 40 miles up
the river, which the admiral expects
to be attacked tomorrow, the foreign
naval commando are acting together.
1t is said that 10 case Of 40 emer.
geoey Involving jeopardy to the lives
OF foreigners the United States forces
ss Tien Tsin might even be directed
10 their general movsmeot by the
senior naval officer ashore. even though
that cfiosr should happen to be Ger.
mao. q Russiso. q French man or co
Eoglishmso. This temporary subordi.
nation OF authority might be brought
about and 10 fact would exist solely
through a military exieenoy. II Tien
Tsin is to be attacked BY a vast horde
OF boxers. it 10 entirely conceivable,
according to military practice, that q
successful defense of the foreigu lives
sod property 10 the city can bs main
taioed only through the assumption of
the command of the foreigo uaval
forces by one cowpeseot officer {; too
many eaptains may mean defeat; 10
view Of tbis possibility. The assumption
OF The command Of the American forces
ashore BY Captain McCalls may bs Gig
oi6csot. IL 10 40 uousual course for .
captain Of . sbip himself to take CON.
~aod Of landing party. as has been
done by Captain MeCslla His raok
would correspond with that Of . colo.
nsl OF marines. and it may be that be
would himself DO tho senior officer q.
Tien Tsio aud thus be obliged to o..
sums command Of the Europsau usvsl
parties Landed there.