The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-06-30
IT LOOKS LIKE WAR
Blood of American Soldiers Shed
on Chinese Soil
Admiral KempH Reports Ambuscads Of
4 Walters Command--The BrOoklyn
Ordered 60 Taku-Two Thou
M sand Sent to Tien Tsin.

WAsHINGToN, June 24.-The navy de-
partment this afternoon issued the fol-
lowing bulletin:
A telegram from Admiral Kempff,
Che Foo, June "a, says:
"In ambuscade near Tien Tsin on the 21st
four Of Walters command killed and seven
wounded. Names will be furnished as soon
as received. Force of two thousand going
to relieve Tien Tsn today. KEMPFF."
The secretary of the navy has ordered
Admiral Remey to go with the Brook
lyn to Taku and to tender to Gen. Mac
Arthur conveyance of any army troops
which the Brooklyn can carry.
Brooklyn to Sail at Once.
Admiral Kempff's dispatch, giving
the first definite news of the shedding
of American blood on Chinese soil, came
early this morning and was turned over
to Secretary Long as soon as he arrived
at the department. With Admiral
Crowninshield, the secretary carried
the dispatch to the White House, where,
on the presidents return from church,
it was laid before him. The determin-
alton thereupon was reached to order
Admiral Remey, in command of the
Asiatic squadron, from Manila to Taku
on board the armored cruiser Brooklyn.
The secretary and Admiral Crownin-
shield returned to the navy department,
where the necessary orders were dis
patched to Admiral Remey. The effect
of this transfer is to make Taku the
headquarters of the Asiatic squadron.
The Brooklyn is expected to sail at
once, today, if possible, as the orders
sent contemplate getting the admiral
on the scene at the earliest moment
The advantage of this, it was officially
stated, is not SO much in adding the
strength of the Brooklyn to the feet
already there, as the feet is considered
by Secretary Long to be quite adequate,
as it is in allowing the authorities here
to deal directly with the situation in
China instead of through the circuitous
communications by way of Manila. If
the Brooklyn starts today. as expected,
it will take her fully week to reach
Taku, as the trip is 5000 miles and
typhoons are raging.
The determination to carry some of
Ten. MacArthur's troops on flagship
shows the emergency of the situation.
The troops are believed to be ready to
move, but some delay may be caused in
getting on board sufficient supplies for
a large body of men for week.
Second Attack Feared.
Admiral Kempff's report that four
Americans were killed and seven
wounded in the ambuscade of Walters
force caused the gravest concern among
fficials, but the chief fear was as to
the outcome of the second attack,
which the admiral reported would be-
gin today. This is little short of the
of battle, and its results
may be decisive, not only to the imme-
date force employed but in determin-
ing the fate of the legations and foreign |
settlements at Tien Tsin, and also |
the issue is or is not to be war
with China.
Word reached the navy department
today that the battleship Oregon got
away from Hongkong last night, bound
for Taku. This is two days ahead of
her expected start. She took on 1854
sailors and marines brought to Hong
kong by the Zafiro. The big ship may
now have chance to repeat her cele-
brated performance "around the Horn"
as she is being crowded for fast run
to the scene of action. The distance is
about 1900 miles. and if she makes her
record time she will be at Taku in
about six days, about the same time
that the Brooklyn arrives from Manila