The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-06-21
CHINA DEFlES THE WORLD
Her Forces At Taku Open Fire on the Conn
bined Fleets of Other Powers.

been ordered to China; 10. 900 French
troops are waiting to embark at Saigon,
capital cs French Cochin China, and
from 5000 to 5000 more Russians
have been ordered from Port Arthar
to Taku. The morning papers con-
slider that state of war practically ex-
lists and that the issue is between East
ern and Western civilization. The
Times says that the latest news infn-
tinitely increases situation already
sufficiently serious.
THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.
China continues to overshadow ma
tional politics at Washington. The
orief cablegram received at the navy
department Monday from Admiral
Remey, in command of the naval
forces at Manila, containing informa-
ton to the effect that he had received
an official report from Commander
Taussig, that the Chinese Notifications
at the mouth of the Taku river had
fred upon the war vessels of the allied
powers, and had subsequently sur
rendered, occasioned intense interest
in diplomatic circles.
It is difficult to get precise official
view of the status of our relations
with China since this last news. The
conclusion that we are in state of
war is emphatically negatived by the
officials best competent to speak. The
Chinese minister, Mr.. WI, was an
early visitor at the state department
Monday. He does not believe that
we are at war with China. He said
there had evidently been a great mis-
understanding and was confident if it
were true that tho Taku forts had
fred upon the international fleet, it
was either because the commander of
the Chinese forts there did not m
derstand what was wanted, or he had
failed to receive proper instructions
from his superior through an error.
He had himself received no word of
news from his home government and
will remain in Washington until
further developments.
At the state department the view
prevailed that Notwithstanding there
had been bombardment and that our
forces were on Chinese soil, still there
was not war up to this stage. So
far the state department has had no
proof that the Chinese government at
Pckin has sanctioned or ordered any
attack upon the international column
or upon the international fleet. It is
possible that the Chinese commaudant
at Taku himself may have revolted
with his troops and joined the boxers.
Therefore it cannot be assumed that
we are at war until formal assurances
to that effect has been received from
authority.
Secretary Hay was asked if the
latest developments had made any
change in the policy which the United
States had adopted toward the Chi
aese trouble. He replied:
ttOur naval forces in that region
nave been directed to act concurrent!y
with the forces of the other powers
or the protection of all American in
;erests."
Owing to the eccentric action of the
telegraph wires and cables which in
:erferes with Admiral Kempff commu-
nicating with the navy department
md also with his superior officer, Ad-
niral Remey, at Manila, the navy de-
,artment may give Admiral Kempfan
command in the interests
# quick dispatch of business.
Great apprehension exists at the
navy department as to the fate of the
United States marine guard of ffty-si1
men which was landed at Tien Tsin
md dispatched by rail to Pekin before
he railroad was interrupted. They
vent forward to Pekin under an au-
,horization granted BY the Chinese
government to the United States
minister ct Pekin in common with
,ther ministers to employ a naval
guard at the legation. Just before
he wires from Pekin were cut word
.ame that Minister Conger had de-
ached twenty of these marines from
lis legation and placed them as a
,uard at the Methodist compound.
This is au inclosure of some ten acres
situated nearly mile distant from the
egation, where many missionaries and
heir families as we'll as large num-
Der of native Christians are believed
O have takan refuQe.