The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-06-26
THE DISPATCH FROM KEMPFF.
American Marines and Ru ssians Fighting the
Chinese Imperial Troops.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, June 23.-The Navy De-
partment this morning received an i'm
portant d~ispatch from Admiral Ecmpff.
stating that an engagement is how in
progress between the United States ma
rines and other forces against the Chi
nese army. outside of Tien Tsin. The fol-
lowing bulletin has been issued by the
Department:
Acting Secretary Hackett has this
morning received a dispatch from Admiral
Kempff, dated Che Foo, June 23rd, % the
effect that our marines under Major Wal
Ter. together with 400 Russians have an
an engagement with the Chinese army
near Tien Tsin. They could not break
through the line. A force numbering
1000, the Admiral reports, is now ready
TO make another attempt.
Admiral Kempff's dispatch stating that
an engagement had occurred near Ten
Tsin. and that another was about to oc-
cur sent q thrill of expectancy throughout
official circles here. Other dispatches had
been received giving additional details,
but these We're not made public, as they
did not shed light upon the engagement
itself, but more on the movements of the
forces. The official information gave 30
clue, however, as to the extent CT any
iloh ma idNt beeH Ill tl
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-equirped foe.
Major Waller, in command Of the
American marines who participated IN
the fight is known here as a brave and
efficient officer, whose coolness and dar-
ing were displayed during the battle o.
Santiago, when he commanded the ma
rines on board the battleshiD Indiana.
The marines referred to in the cable are
the 1870 men taken by the Solace from
Manila at the first call for reinforce
ments.
Admiral Kempff's specific statement
that the engagement was with the chi
nese army at first caused some soiici-
tude among officials for this was the first
positive official statement that the I'M
perial forces in China, and not the Boz
ers were fighting the foreign troops. Later
however, the view obtained that the Ad-
miral had used the words Chinese army
as a handy means of expressing the
Chinese opposition encountered. without
intending t officially declare that the
Imperial troons were fighting.
The Shanghai statement of 4 practical
"Anglo-American alliance" ELECTED an
expression or Indignation from the Off
Gals here who have grown weary Of OK
planning that there is absolutely 10
such alliance, but simply parallel action
by this and other Governments. toward
the common end Of preserving their re-
spective people and property.
The authorities here are using the st
most cndeavor to bring officers from
every available point so as to meet the
requirements Of Admiral Remey, and for
this reason the quota at the torpedo
school at Newport and at any other points
is being reduced to the smallest possible
limit. There are now 50 vessels in COM
mission in Asiatic waters, owi the
extreme need of a large force of officers.
The Navy Department received a dis
patch this morning announcing the ar
rival of the Solace at Magasaki. japan.
No explanation is given at the DEPART
ment as to why she went over to Maya
saki, instead of remaining with the
American fleet at Taku. but it is be-
rival of the SOlace at Nagaski. japan.
csc port for the purpose of being in more
direct Geographic communication with the
Department. 1t may be that the Depart-
ment will find it necessary to send dupli-
cate message to Kempff via Nagasaki and
the SOlace could carry dispatches back
and forth and establish direct connec-
lions with the Department in this way.