The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-06-14
A Clash Of Soldiers With The
Boxers.
MANY KILLED ON BOTH SIDES.
Landing of a Large Russian Force at
Taku Said to Have Been Stopped
Trouble Expected Between Russia
and Japan.

Shanghai, By Cable.-The soldiers
dispatched to attack the Boxers have
fought an engagement quite close to
Pekin. Many were killed on both
sides. In consequence OF the represen-
tations Of Japan, the landing Of a
large Russian force at Taku is alleged
to have been stopped. 1t is believed
here that should Russia persist in
sending preponderating military
force to the front, a collision with Ja>
pan will inevitably result.
Alarming reports are current here
of the hurried completion of the mo-
Utilization of the Japanese fleet The
Russian minister at Pekin, NJ. De
Giers, has made another attempt to in
duce the Chinese Foreign Office to
formally request Russian assistance to
restore order. Violent dssensions are
reported to exist between the Chinese
commander r-in-chief Of the forces,
June Iu, and Prince Ching Tuan, who
in accordance with the wishes Of the
Dowager Empress, is strongly sup
porting the cause Of the Boxers. The
mobs who murdered the English mis-
sionaries, Robinson and Norman, mu-
tilated and disemboweled the bodies.
The station at Yam Tin, three miles
from Pekin, has been burned. The Bri-
tish minister, Sir Claude Macdonald,
is reported quite Ill.
Washington, D. c., Special.-Minis-
ter Conger, at Pekin, cabled that the
situation was worse at Pekin and this
statement, taken in connection with
Admiral Kempff's alarming cablegram
announcing that an engagement LAD
begun, decided the State Department
to strengthen the naval forces nearest
the scene Of trouble. Accordingly \
cablegram was sent to Admiral Rem
ey, at Manila, directing him to dis
patch at once to Admiral Kempff's
command the gun-boat Helena, or II
that craft is not at Manila and ready
for immediate service, then some craft
Of correspondingly light draft and
power.
The purpose is to place at Admiral
Kempff's disposal an efficient warship,
capable of ascending the Pei Ho river
as far up as Tien-Tsin. Admiral
Kempffs flagship, the Newark, draw
ing % feet Of water, cannot ascend
the river safely beyond the Taku
forts, near the entrance, but the lit
tie Helena, drawing only II feet, can
safely ascend to Tien-Tsin, 40 miles
above She was especially designed
for service in these Chinese rivers, and
so is likely to prove much more effec-
tive than any other of the foreign
warships which can pass the Taku
forts and reach Tien-Tsin. She carries
battery particularly adapted 20 deal
ing with such half-organized nobs as
the Boxers. Besides her eight 1our-
inch rapid-flre guns, she carries four
six-pounder rapid-firers, four one
pound rapid-frers. two Colts and one
three-inch rapid-fire field gun. She is
commanded by Commander Swinburne
and her complement is ten officers and
166 men.
Secretary Hay cabled Minister Con-
ger, at Pekin, an authorization to call
! for re-enforcements from Admiral
Kempff and to make such disposition
of his naval force as he deems proper
to protect the American legation and
consulates and American interests
generally. The administration is still
| determined that the United States gov
ernment shall continue on its indie
pendent course respecting the Chinese
situation, though willing to go as far
as possible to aid in the restoration Of
peace and order in China. Therefore,
Admiral Kempff has not been instruct
ed to join the other naval command
ers in the Pei Ho river in concerted
action.