The Topeka state journal., 1900-06-19

k's7044
formation bureau of the war DEPART
ment:
Taku is situated at the mouth of the |
Pei Ho, on the southern bank of the |
river, about 81 miles from Tien Tsin, |
with which it is connected by a rail-
road. It is noted for the three engage
ments that have taken place there be-
tween the British and the Chinese.
Part of the Tien TSin army corps has
modern organization, drill and arms,
and is stationed at the Taku forts.
Between Taku and Tien Tsin, the cen
ter of the defenses and chief arsenal
of northern China, are permanent
camps where there are usually 10000
troops, infantry cavalry and artillery,
armed with Mauser rifles. The cav
airy also carry MauSer carbines- These
troops have been well instructed for
ten or twelve years by foreign officers
The armament of the Tal<u forts con-
sist of very heavy Krupp guns and the
approach to the forts from the gulf of
Pe-Chi-Li is extremely difficult. The
fortifcations consist of three forts,
large one on the right bank and two
smaller ones on the left. All of the
forts are armed with numerous guns
of the most varied sizes and calibres.
In the construction of all forts OF the
second zone the muddy clay soil of the
coast was used, which during the dry
season becomes cracked and crumbles
very easily, and the garrison is con-
tinually making repairs. In Taku are
the materials for closing up the mouth
of the Pei Ho. All the coast fortifca-
tions have mines
VOLUNTEERS FOR CHINA.
Annapolis, Nd. June 1e.-Orders re-
ceived at the naval academy today for
detail of 70 marines to hold themselves
in readiness for service in the far east
resulted in the necessary number OF
volunteers from the 200 men stationed
here within a few minutes after II be-
came known that men were wanted. It
is expected the men will leave for San
Francisco on Wednesday.
JAPAN IS EXCITED
Yokohama, June 19.-The news of the
shelling of the fortsat Taku has caused
great excitement throughout Japan. 1t
| is reported that the powers will ask
I Japan to send 1000 troops to suppress
the revolt 1t is probable that the gov
| ernment will consent. Additional trans
| ports are being prepared.
II HUNG CHANG CALLED.
Paris, June 19-At a cabinet council
TODAY the minister of foreign affairs.
| NJ. Delcasse, announced that the tele-
/ graph line between Pekin and Tien
Tsin was still interrupted.
/ Advices received here from Shanghai
say Ii Hung Chang has been sum-
/ moned to Pekin from Canton.
RUSSIA SENDS 1900 TROOPS.
! Washington, June 19.-Secretary of
] State Hay has been notified by the
Russian embassy here that 1000 Rus
1 sian troops have been dispatched from
/ Port Arthur to Taku.
! AMERICANS DID NOT TAKE PART.
| London, June 19.-From the German
| officials dispatches the American ships
! took no part in the bombardment Of the
Taku forts Saturday morning. No news
has yet been received here Of the re-
lief of the legation at Pekin and
/ Europe'S attention is centered far less
! on the overwhelming display of naval
! force at Taku than on the fate of the
diplomatic staffs and six hundred cos
full of marines within the legations
| compounds. There has been no news
| thence since June ID.
! Rumors that Japan will as the man
datOry OF the powers restore order IN
China was revived in dispatch today
from Yokohama. Berlin dispatches in
innate that Germany viii not object tc
Japan sending eighteen thousand troops
while Great Britain will endorse the
plan with avidity though perhaps only
secretly.
The japanese legation in London has
official information of the dispatch OF
5000 troops In the meantime the Brit
ish are dispatching six native regiments
besides artillery from India
The revolt is spreading in western
China Pritchard Morgan, NJ p al
Ching Tu wires that he and his party
have been detained there owing to the
news that the revolution has broken out
| in Sechuan which adjoinS the province
| of Yunnan, also in revolt and oficia
I
missionary society's premises at TsaC
Shih, central China, west of Hankow
have been destroyed by a mob.
| The rising seems to be spreading witt
rapidity and shows unexpected organic
| alton among the anti-foreign elements
The missionaries at Tsao Shih escaped
and reached Hankow in safety.
, Gable dispatches from Shanghai re
port that a number of Chinese cruisers
are anchored in sight of the foreign set
/ Elements, which are only guarded by {
small japanese gunboat. A thousand
. | Chinese troops with two forty-nint
pound guns still hold the forts outsids
| the town.
The viceroy of Woo Sung is reported
to have assured the consuls that the
foreign settlements at Shanghai viii
/ not be attacked
The admiralty office has received tn,
| following dispatch from the officer com
manding the British first class cruiser
| EndymiOn
Liu Kun Tau, June 18 Monday.-Th,
Taku forts opened fire at one in tbs
! morning, June II, on the ships of the
allied squadrons- After six hours en-
gagement the forts were Silenced anC
occupied by the allied forces Addi
| tional men for storming the forts Wer'
sent ashore from the ships the previous
afternoon. The British ships up tn,
river engaged were the Algerine, gun
boat; Fame. torpedo boat destroyer
and Whiting, torpedo boat destroyer
The two latter captured four Chimes
, ] torpedo boat OSSlfOyefS- me casual
ties Of the Algerine were slight, thos'
of the storming party and others ar
unknown.
"A Chinese second class cruiser. fly
ing an admiral's flag. is detained out
side Taku by the allied admirals.
No information of Commander-in
Chief Seymour's return to Tien Tsi1
has been received by the rear admira
up to in the afternoon Of June H.
am sailing forthwith for Taku."
The admiralty draws attention to tn
fact that the Endymion's report whiel
is of a later date does not confirm tn
, Japanese report of Admiral Seymour
! return to Tien Tsin
An agency dispatch from Shanghai
dated June 19, says the latest new
from Pekin is that the dowager empires
is greatly concerned at the capture o
the Taku forts and that wholesale deg
radations OF the Chinese army, includ
ing Generals Sung Ching and Fung Fl