The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-27
nese forces into better position for de-

/
| charge of looting at Tien Tsin. The Ad-
mral had a good deal more than this
| to report to the Navy Department but
| the officials did not regard the rest of
| his report as proper for publication just
now. General Miles and General Buffing-
| ton were again in consultation, though
separately, with Secretary Root today,
and the supposition is that the Chinese
campaign was under consideration.
ADMIRAL HEMPFF EXPLAINS AGAIN.
Washington, July 26.-The Navy De-
partment has just made public the follow
ing report from Admiral Kempff dated
June GOTH
Referring to my recent actions in de-
clining to take part il the seizure of the
Taku forts and in afterward making
common cause with the foreign forces in
the protection of foreign life and prop
erty; l would respectfully state that the
Chinese Government is now paralyzed,
and the secret edicts show that it isNin
sympathy with the Boxers
"The fact that under the existing cir
cumstances, the troops at the forts are
given much extra drills, torpedoes were
provided, and it is claimed, planted in
| the entrance of the Pei-Ho was consid-
cred menacing and, by other senior naval
| officers, sufficient cause to justify them
| in demanding the temporary occupation
| of the forts. This eliminated in the bonn
| bardment of the forts by other foreign
gunboats on the morning of the 18th in
stant-which has been described In this
| bombardment the MonOcacy was fired
upon and struck without having received
previous warning.
| "It is now necessary to join with the
other foreign powers for common defense
| and preservation of foreign people and
| the honor of our country.
81 refused to join in taking possession
| of the imperial Chinese railway station,
| and also declined to join in the demand
| for temporary occupation of the Taku
! forts, for l thought it against the policy
| and wishes of our Government to be en-
| tangled with other foreign powers in such
| a step, and also because it endangered
| the lives Of people in the interior in ad-
| vance of absolute necessity; for up to
| early morning of June 18th, the Chinese
Government had not committed, so far
as l am aware, any act Of open hostilities
| toward the foreign armed forces.
I'm opening fire without warning, an
act of war was committed, when many
shots were fired at the place where the
Monocacy was moored-about 1900 yards
from the forts. Those firing must have
known of her presence as she had been
moored in that position for number Of
days.
"Under these circumstances, l regarded
| the situation as one for the protection
of the national honor and the preserva-
| tion of our people and have acted ac-
cordingly.'
RUSSIA COMMENCES OPERATIONS.
| st. Petersburg, July 26.-The Russian
agent at Hankow telegraphs under date
of July 22d, as follows:
Foreigners are in a constant stare of
panic, owing to the hostility Of the ia
tives; who are affected by the events i'll
| the northern provinces. The American
| and British consuls have recommended
! their respective people to send their fam
lilies to Shanghai. Nevertheless there are
no symptoms that serious disturbances
are impending. The Viceroy has taken
| all necessary measures to protect Cor
| eigncrs and reassure Chinese.
The Russian Minister at Seoul, NJ.
Pavloff, reports that the Russian ,;eta, L.
ment which left Port Arthur en- route 10
| Pyongyang reaching Jiju Sunday, July %,
| has arrived at Pyongyang, with the loss
| of Is killed and many wounded. They
| fought their way through oposing natives
at the point of the bayonet.
! General Grodekoff in a dispatch dated
/ at Chabarovsk, Tuesday, July 24th, states
/ that detachment of railway guards safe
| ly brought a caravan of 220 persons and
| officials from the railway to Zurughaitu.
| Chinese troops, General Grodekoff adds,
| are raiding and looting in the Yalu VAL
| ley.
| Another steamer with Russian troops
aboard was bombarded by Chinese from
! the river bank July Gath. Securing rein
! forcements, the Russian commander re-
| turned to the scene and landed on the
| Chinese side of Yalu River. He attacked
| the Chinese posts in the face of heavy
| fire. Some Chinese pickets were taken
prisoners. Three magazines were set on
fire and exploded. The Chinese last 500
| killed, while the Russian loss was only z.
desultory bombardment of Blago-
vestchensk continues.
The town of Aigun has been set on
fire by the Russians.
The Chinese at Saghalien have been
compelled to retreat and take a fresh
| entrenched position
Cossacks have destroyed the Chinese
| pickets at Nikolsk, Kuprianovsk and
| Sarvihevsk.
FIGHTING HAS CEASED AT PElx,N
Toxic, Tuesday, July PA message
| received here from Shanghai vest 9:caY
| makes the following assertions:
Yuan Shi Ki Governor of Shan Tungi
has received letter from Pekin, dated
!, July 18th, declaring that a legation cou-
rier was captured by the Chinese guards
| on July 18TH and that thereupon General
| Yung Lu pctitioned the throne to employ
the courier as messenger to communal
cate with the ministers.
This was carried out and a reply was
received that all the ministers were wei
and were unanimous in favoring the res
| toration of peace.
IAN official of the Tsung Ii Yamen af-
forwards visited the legation and inter-
viewed a minister; and it was subse-
quently decided to petition the Emperor
to supply the legations with food and to
send them to Ten Tesin.
"Yung Lu is said to have great difficult
| ty in intervening between the foreign
soldiers guarding the South Gioka bridge
and the Tongo troops on the north side.
1913 &.v.rr