The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-12

Washington, June S.-The following
cablegram was received at the navy
his afternoon:
Tong ku. June Son June 3rd
Handed forces to protect American in
~terests with the consent OF China:
fifty at Pekin, rest al Tier Tsin.
Nations sent forces TO 10Th cities; no
Injury 50 far. British, Russian Chi
nese admirals and twenty warships
here. Crops likely TO fail, causing.
probably more trouble in thh near flu
ture. Our landing force nde Nc
Gala, June 5th. Situation most criti-
cal. Russian force began fighting; 1
Handed fifty more men; have required
Helena be sent Immediately to pro-
tect our interest or vessel like her.
Consider a battalion OF marines ne
cessary. Need a gunboat as base in
side.
June 9Th Tien Tsin-Pekin railway
cut. Will act in concert with ava
forces of other powers to protect in
~terestS if necessary. Meeting of for
leign senior naval officers
There are present English, French.
IGerman,e Austrian, Italian, JapaneS
and American Arrange for comnir.
faction to protect life and property IL
required. Nine hundred men ashore.
Twenty-Five warships here.
"KEMPFF."
received at the navy department this
morning from Admiral Kempff, on
board the Newark, off Taku forts:
Tong Ku, June Seattle yesterday
between Chinese and Boxers neal Tien
Tsin. Large number Of Boxers ex-
KEMPFF."
Minister Conger, at Pekin, also has
been heard from to-day His message
to the state department said there was
no improvement in the situation and
asked for instructions. Secretary Hay
took the message to the cabinet meet
ing where the answer Will be framed.
The state department is s~teadfastly
pursuing the line of policy laid down
at the beginning of this Boxe trouble,
of avoiding any interference with Chi
nese internal affairs, beyond such
measures as may be absolutely neces-
sary for the protection Of American
life n property there. Especially it
is determined to avoid commitment to
the policies of any of the European
powers which might involve the United
Estates in trouble. Therefore, notwith-
standing the onfnous news conveyed
in Admiral Kempff's cablegram, it
seems entirely probable that Minister
Conger will be directed to stick to the
same line of policy which he has pur-
sued up to this time.
1t is not to be understood by this
the United States government is de-
sirous of evading any proper measure
of responsibility and the state de-
ma rf nopf Officials a ro "a rof1l RI n0int
lout that while retaining our indepen-
Idence of action our governments is
REALLY acting concurrently with the Eu
ropean governments respecting this
Boxer agitation. Thus at TAX Admi-
raj Kempf is acting in a similar nan
ner to the commanding officers of the
foreign navy there assembled although
his orders are subject to the approval
of no one.
At Tfen Tsfn forty miles up the
river, which the admida expects to be
attacked tomorrow, the foreign naval
commands are acting together. 1t is
said that in case Of an emergency in
[volving jeopardy to the lives of for
teignerS the United States foreS at Tien
ITsin might even be directed in their
general movement by the senior naval
l~officer ashore, even though that officer
lShould happen to be German, Rus
lsian, Frenchman or Englishman. This
Temporary Subordination Of authority
might be brought about and in fact
would exist solely through a military
l~exigency. If Tien Tsin is to be at
tackled by a vast horde of Boxers it is
Ientirely conceivable according to mill
Itary practice that a successful defense
of the foreign lives and property in
the city can be maintained only
Through the assumption Of the COM
Imand of the foreign nava forces by
lnna caynnatQpt officer. fOn MANY oan-
tainS may mean defeat.
In view of this possibility the as
lumption of the command of the Amer
iican forces ashore by Captain McCalla
may be significant. 1t is an unusua
course for a captain of a ship himself
to take the command OF a landing
party, as has been done by Captain
McCalla. His rank woul correspond
with that of a colonel Of marines, AND
lit may be that he would himself b.
the eenior officer at Tien Tsin and thu.
lbe obliged to assume command OF
defense and direct, in a general way
the operations Of the European nav
3 lparties landed there.
, The naval officers here are confden
: that Tien Tsin proper is not in par
! I~ticular danger. The gunboat Helen
: will oon have the town under her gun
: and there are believed to be three for
! leign warships in position to cooper
. ate.
e Almost the only subject before tn
= lcabinet meeting to-day was the Chi
I lnese situation. Secretary Hay read
: lcablegram from Minister Conger a
y lPekin in which he stated that ther
was no Improvement in the situatio
. and asked for instructions.
= Secretary Hay stated after th
I. Injecting, that a reply would be e n
i. Mr.. Conger substantially reaffirmin
1.-THE one sent a day or two ago to th
tenect that he will be expected to q
. whatever is necessary to protect ii
= Hives Of Americans and their propert
= land to maintain the dignity of tn
government. He will be ~instructe
to form no alliance with any govern
Iment.
Il It is understood here that the repr
a ~lsentativeS Of the powers in Pekin w
. lcall in a body on the dowager empire
" land present the necessity Of her tai
ing immediate and vigorous action
suppress the rioters. 1t Is assums
l. that Mr.. Conger will join the 9th
N Representatives.