Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-07-05
KEMPFF HOLDING AL00F
Opposed Policy Of Attacking Chinese
Army Unless They Began HOStilitieS.
FORCE OF 10000 NOW ASHORE
The Action of the Powers in
Attacking the Forts
TURNED CHINESE INTO BOXER ALLIES

Copyrighted, 1900, by Associated Press.
Taku, China, June 81. y Admiral
Kempff opposed the policy Of attacking
the Chinese army unless they began
hostilities. 1t is now admitted that
the action of the Powers in attacking
the forts turned the Chinese into allies
with the Boxers. Americans think
this might have been avoided. Admiral
Kempff has held aloof from hostilities
beyond movements necessary to rescue
Americans. The forces ashore now
number 10000, of whom 1900 are
British, 1,3O0 Germans, 1900 Russians,
1900 Japanese and the remainder
Americans, French, italian and Aus
trains.
Yesterday, the English torpedohoat
Fame visited the fort al. the New City,
u miles up the river. 1t was found
| deserted, and was blown up.
Lieut. Jayne of the Newark, trying
to reach Tientsin by boat at the time
of the storming of Tientsin, had fierce
fight with the Chinese.
NNas-I Major Wa)ler's battalior Of 1870
marknes. with Commander Craddock's
Britisfaxsval brigade, numbering 500,
were cariips ! on June 22d eight miles
from TientsinsS S>wbere the railroad had
boen destroyed. AAt daylight on the
morning Of june ] 3d, Major Waller and
two companies ofSBritish marched on
Tientsin. The remaifAder of the British,
with 300 Welsh Fusi1ieass supporting,
went up the iiver bank. Alaptber
column, consisting chiefly of Russliaps
and Germans, took up the route choseih
by Waller. They were repulsed, howt-
ever. On June 23d, the Russians ben
came engaged in conflict with the
Chinese. First, Major Waller reinforced
them, and then rejoined the British,
the military college being attacked.
The Chinese exploded mine under
the marines. merely bruising few of
the men. While crossing to join the
English, they we're exposed to heavy
thanking fire, and Private John Hunter
was killed, and Sergeant Taylor and
Corporal Pedrick were wounded. OF
the English, two were killed AMI three
wounded. The English and American
forces carried the village outside the
Walled City by storm. They found in
Tientsin Lieut.. Irwin and Cadet Pet.
tingill, with 40 men in good condition.
Among the killed also, was Private
Nicholas, and still another American.
was wounded. When the Chinese at !
tackled Tientsin, on June 2lst, Major
walters command, with 44U hussIans,
we're amEushed three miles from that
place. They were compelled 10 retreat,
abandoning three-inch rife and q
Colts gun, and losing four Killed and
seven wounded.
The greatest anxiety exists concern
ing the position of the foreigners at
Pekin. Admiral Kempf believes that
large achievements are necessary in
order to reach Pekin. He is anxious
10 avoid all action lilsley to involve
Americans in futui q diplomatic discus
sion.
When the forts were attacked, the
British gunboat Algerine surprised and
boarded four Chinese tor rpedoboats
under the shadow of the forts. They
offered one to Admiral Kemptf, who
declined to receive it.. However, the
Russian, Germans and Japanese each
took one of the bo ats.