The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-25
Probably Left Manila Last Night on His
Flagship, the Cruiser Brooklyn.
Instructed to Carry All Troops General Macarthur
Has Ready-War Preparations Huge
Scale Under Way at Washington.

WASHINGTON. June 24.-Thc Navy De-
partment this afternoon made public the
aated Che-Foo. June "a:
In ambuscade near Tien-Tsin,
On the 21st, four of Walters COM
mand were killed and seven
wounded. Names will be furnished
as soon as received. Force of 1000
going to relieve Tien- -Tsin to-day.
This dispatch. giving the first definite
news OF the shedding of American blood
on Chinese soil, came early in the morn
ing 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. 1t was laid before him. The de-
termination thereupon was reached to
order Admiral Remey. in command of the
Asiatic squadron, from Manila to Taku,
on board of the armored cruiser Brooklyn.
The secretary and Admiral Crowninshield
returned to the Navy Department. where
the necessary orders We're dispatched 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. to-day. If possible, as the orders
sent contemplate getting the admiral on
the scene at the earliest moment, The ad-
not so much In adding the strength Of the
Brooklyn to the feet already there. as the
fleet is considered by Secretary Long to
be qaite adequate. it is in allowing the
authorities here to deal directly with the
situation in China instead OF through the
circuitous communications by way of Ma
Mia.
THE BROOKLYN TO CARRY TROOPS.
Tae secretary of the navy also ordered
Arthur conveyance for any troops which
the Brooklyn can carry. If the Brooklyn
starts to-day. as expected. 1t will take her
fully week to reach Taku, as the trip
Is two thousand miles, and typhoons are
raging The determination to carry some
of General MacArthur's troops on a flag
ship shows the emergency of the situa-
fion- The troops are believed TO be ready
to move, but some delay may be caused
IN getting board sufficient supplies for
. large body OF men for a week
Admiral Kenipns report that four Amer
leans were killed and seven wounded in
the ambuscade of Walters force caused
the gravest concern among officers but the
chief fear was as to the outcome of the
second attack which the admiral reported
would begin to-day. 1t will be little short
Of the dimensions OF battle, and its re-
suits may be decisive, not only to the i'm
mediate force employed. but in determin-
ing the fate Of the consulates and foreign
settlements at -ien-Tsin, and also whether
the issue Is. or is not TO be, war with
China
Word reached the Navy Department to-
day that the battleship Oregon cot away
from Hong-Kong last night. bound for
Taku- This is two days ahead of her ex-
pected start. She took on lsi sailors and
marines brought to Hong-Kong by the
Zanro. The big ship may now have a
chance TO repeat her celebrated perform
ance, "around the horn" as she is being
crowded for fast run 10 the scene of ac-
tion- The distance is about 1900 miles and
IL she makes her record time she will be
at Taku in six days. about the same time
that the Brooklyn arrives from Manila.
These ships are the only ones going to
China
NO MORE GuNBoATs NEEDED.
Admiral crowninshieId pronounces as un-
Uue the reports that the sunboats Mariet-