The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-12
NO FOREIGN ALLIANCES
is STILL ADHERED TO IN our COURSE
TOWARD CHINA
INCREASING OUR NAVAL FORCE
In the Chinese waters-The Nash
Vile Now on Her Way to Taku.
Other Warships at Admiral Kempffs s
Com mand-Foreisn Representatives
at w ashington Anxious to Learn of
Our Intention-MfnisterC Conger's Re-
ports Less Encouraging.

Washing ton, June 9.-Admiral Remey
informs the navy department that the
gunboat Nashville, with a force Of ma
rines aboard, left Cavite yesterday
for Taku. She is a light draft gun
boat of the same type as the Helena
and it is presumed that she is sent in
place Of the latter The Monocacy at
Shanghai has also been ordered to
join Admiral Kempff at Taku.
1t is understood at the navy depart
ment that the Nashville was dispatched
to Taku by Admiral Remey in place
of the Helena, which was originally
selected for that purpose, but was
probably unavailable, or absent from
Manila. She should be at Taku about
the latter part Of next week.
In view of the length of time e
quired by the Nashville to make the
trip to Taku, it is fortunate that the
navy department has other reinforce
ments at hand in the shape of vessels
at Shanghai. This force is only about
three days distant from Taku, and only
about half the time would be requir-
ed for the vessels at Shanghai to make
the trip to Tien Tsin, that would be
consumed by the Nashville.
The navy department has sent in
structions to the commander of the
Monocay at Shanghai to report to Ad-
miral Kempff at Taku, and that veS-
sci is already on her way: Though an
old ship, the Monocay is admirably
adapted TO this kind of service, draw
ing only nine feet of water and carry
ing a very good secondary battery.
Her personnel is twelve officers and
LAG men. The Castine and the York
town also are at Shanghai and can
be drawn upon, according to Admiral
Remey's dispatch, by Admiral kempf
if he wants more men. These vessels,
of 1000 and 1,7OO tons displacement,
respectively, will be the same as the
Nashville. The Castine's personnel is
IL officers and 142 men, the Yorktown's,
IA officers and 1S1 men.
Minister Conger's daily report was
even less encouraging than usual. In
his cablegram to Secretary Hay to-
day he said that the situation was
unimproved; that the burning of
plants continues, and, owing to the
enertness of the Chinese troops, it will
be necessary to employ foreign troops
to protect the railways.
If the state department has not
deemed it necessary to send any spe-
cific authorization to Mr.. Conger 10
employ the United States naval forces
at Tien Tsin and Pekin in guarding
the Chinese railways he is free to ex-
ercise his own discretion in that re-
spect.
The state department officials felt
that the action taken by the navy de-
partment in the dispatch of naval YES
sells to the scene of trouble and the
landing of naval forces. represents all
that can be done, or a least eli t.i3
should be done by the United states
at this moment. The department re-
mains unshaken in its attitude and,
while willing to work on lines with
the other powers to restore peace in
China, insists on retaining its inde-
pendence of action.
When attention was directed TO the
proba ability that the United States
naval forces ashore at Tien Tsin might
be called upon TO join with the foreign
naval contingents in the defense OF the
town, it was pointed out that Sthls ac-
ton would be purely military, and
would not constitute joint action from
a political point of view.
The foregn embassies and legations
in Washington are intensely interested
in the developments in China and ap-
plications are frequent at the state de-
partment from them for the latest
news as to what is going on.
There is also strong desire on the
part of these diplomats, probably pas
ed on something broader than personal
curiosity, to learn what are the in
tentions of the United States govern
ment. It appears that the state de-
partment has dealt frankly with such
inquiries and has made no concealment
of its policy of non-interference be-
yond a point necessary to protect
American life and property. 1t is
deemed entirely proper, however, to
move along the same lines as those
followed by European nations toward
the establishment of this object, so
that, while there are no entangling un-
derstandings or alliances, all the sub
stantial results of joint action may
be achieved.