The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-07-25
Mr.. Conger Said Only Speedy
Relief Gould Save the Foreign
erS From Massacre
by Chinese.

the second reach of the river above
the north fort. The gunboats participate
ing were the Koreetz. Guilak. Bobr, Rus
sian; Iltis. German Lion. French: AL
gerine. English. The English torpedo
boat destroyers Fame anu Whiting joined
In the latter part, after securing the cap
tured torpedo boats near Tong ku. Tho.
Japanese gunboat claimed that her en-
gines were disabled. so she remained
moored near Tong ku and was assigned
charge Of the railroad station at that
place. The u. S. S. Monocacy being un-
der orders moored at Tong Ku and took
no part in the action. Many Foreigners
were afforded shelter and protection dur
ing the night. copy of the report OF
the commanding officer of the Monocacy
fs herewith enclosed:
The vessels except the Iltis, took their
assigned positions early in the evening
of the 10th instant and at about 1855
a. M. one hour before the expiration OF
the time limit all the fort guns which
could be trained on the ships flred stimuli
taneously. many shots striking ths
koreetz. 4tf
The vessels returned the .fre with
rapid fire from their guns which with
the exception of the guns OF six-inch
calibre were all of smaller rapid fire
type.
The guns on the north fort were chiefly
a. inch. while the south fort had num-
Der of guns from six to eight inches in
calibre.
TORPEDO BOATS CAPTURED.
The AIgerine. having aboard landing
party of some three hundred and fifty
men. Immediately put them ashore. A
portion Of them advanced through Taku
TO the navy yard and took by surprise
four new modern torpedo boats. carry
inn fxxrn t,,Isx IL
each, and, conveyed by the Fame and
Whiting took them TO Tong Ku. The
other landing parties and the remainder
or the English. aggregating eome six
hundred and fifty men, awaited an op-
perfume time for assault
The fire continued with more or less
spirit until daylight. when Il became very
rapid and active and, Il is reported. very
disastrous to the Chinese. About 4:30
shell entered the magazine Of the Guilak.
blowing II up, causing her to leak and
burning forty-seven men more or less Sc
verely.
She got over an awning (a5 collision
matD and after few hours work was
hoating at her normal height. At about
a. m. the gunboats having silenced the
northwest fort landing force charged
and occupied IL, where I'm hoisting q flag
few casualties occurred notably the
captain OF the Japanese landing party
and one English sailor killed and several
wounded. The Chinese then abandoned
the north fort which is Joined TO north
west fort by a protected passage. After
about two hours moro the south forts
were taken after the explosion or tho
magazine. Most OF the occupants ned, but
were not pursued. Some thirty or forty
were found hiding I'm various parts of the
fort. The various nations participating
hoisted their flags on the various flag
STATS. W
The forts being of thick mud and grass
were but little damaged by the gun fire.
although they received host OF pro-
jectiles. The guns and gun shields as q
rule were not damaged. Two or three OF
the modern guns were disabled.
The dead Chinese were not counted, but
II is estimated by eve witnesses that some
two hundred dead were left In the fort.
The loss on the side OF the allied forces
was. as nearly as possible, as follows:
Algerine-One officer very badly injured;
men wounded.
One captain very badly; three or four
men killed: six or eight wounded.
s<oreetz-Two officers badly wounded;
s men dead; 12 wounded W
Guilak-One officer badly wounded 8
men killed, 10 wounded, AZ burned by ex-
plosion OF powder room"
Lion-One man killed; one badly wound
ed. ttf
Other vessels engaged. injuries OF min
or Importance.
The above is an account CLEANED from
conversations with officers engaged. bnt
may not contain minor acsuracies Dur
ing the engagement guns were turned On
the Monocacy which was out Of line
fire. She was struck and was forced 70
withdraw up the river. (No casualties)
(Signed) Very respectfully,
LOUIS KEMPFF.
Rear Admiral y. g. Navy.
COMMANDER wIsE's REPORT
Tho Secretary OF Navy. Washington:
Following Is the report Of the action
made by Commander Wise. OF the Mon
ocacy TO Rear Admiral Kempn:
IT, s. 8. Monocacy. Tong Ku, China. July.
sir:--I have the honor 90 report upon
the occurrences since Yesterday. when I
attended meeting Of oflccrs at y.
m. on board tho Borbone was shown
the protocol and ultimatsm ~ 70 the To.
ku forts.
(Continued on paes Ivo.D