The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-07-26
TEXT OF ADMIRAL
KEMPFFS REPORT

Washington, July 25.-The navy de-
partment today made public the mail
reports of Rear Admiral Kempff ex-
planning his reasons for refusing to
join with the ships of the other powers
in the attack on the Taku forts, and
giving ar account of the attack which
includes many details not heretofore
published Admiral Kempf also in
closes the report Of Commander Wise
of the Monocacy, giving a graphic &C
count of the action.
Rear Admiral KemDff's explanation
for refusing to participate in the attack
on the Notifications of power with
which we We're at peace is warmly
commended by Secretary Long
The reports are as follows:
United States Flagship Newark,
Taku, China. June Il, 1900.
Sir would state what follows IN
regard to the happenings previous to
the resolve of yesterday by other senior
foreign naval officers here to get pos
session of the Taku forts.
"2-On Thursday, June IA, Rear Ad-
miral Bruce called and asked what |
thought of the matter, and | informed
itiate any act of war with a country
with which my country was at peace;
that my limit was to protect American
interests, both by regulations and un-
der recent instructions from both the
department and from the commander
in-chief of the United States naval
force on the Asiatic station.
''3-On the 18th. at a consultation of
the other foreign naval officers, it was
agreed that the railroad station at
Tong Ku should be taken. (The railway
is under Chinese government control)
And in case any Chinese government
foreign nation, all should be involved
and act unitedly. Under my instruc-
tions l could not join in taking possess
sion of Chinese government property,
and did not care to become "a party TO
such an agreement without special au-
thority.
"4-Yesterday, June 16, the same for
eign naval officers signed compact
that it was necessary to take temper
airy possession of the Taku forts, and
notice was served on the viceroy at
Tien Tsin and on the commandant Ef
the forts. Consuls at Tien Tsin were
informed of what was contemplated. L
did not join in the attack on the forts.
Captain Wise of the Monocacy had or
ders, to protect American interests.
based upon departments orders, but
in case of attack by a Chinese govern
ment force he was to consider it as a
declaration of war and act accordingly.
Very respectfully, LOUIS KEMPFF.
Rear Admiral, U. S. NJ
Story of the Attack.
''To the Secretary of the Navy, Wash
ingtOn. D. c.:
United States Flagship Newark,
Taku, June IS. 1900.
"Sir-I have the honor to report as
follows: The commanding officers of
the gunboats in the river met on the
afternoon of June 16, and agreed for
the senior officer of the gunbOats to
direct the movement. This officer hap
pened to be a Russian. The positions
for the various gunboats were then as
signed, taking positions in the second
reach of the river above the north
fort.
. THE gunboats participating were the
Koreetz, Guilak, Barbara, Russian; IL
tbs, German: Lion, French; AIgerine,
English. The English torpedo boat de-
strOyers Fame and Whiting Joined in
the latter part, after securing the cap
tured torpedo boats near Tong Ku. The
japanese gunboat claimed that her en-
gines were disabled. so she mOored near
Tong Ku and was assigned charge of
the railroad station at that place
The United States steamer .Nonoc-
acy. being under orders, remained
mOored at Tong Ku and took no part
in the action. Many foreigners were
afforded shelter and protection during
the night. A copy of the, report of the
commanding officer of the Monocacy is
herewith enclosed.
Chinese First to Fire.
THE vessels, except the Hits. took
their assigned positions early in the
evening of the 18th inst, and about
1855 a. M, one hour before the expira-
ton of the time limit, all the forts guns
which could be trained on the ships
fired simultaneously, many shots strik-
ing the KOreetZ. The vessels returned
the fire with a rapid fire from their
guns, which, with the exception of the
guns of six-inch calibre, were of small
rapidfire type.
The guns on the north fort were
chiefly 4.S-inch, while the south fort has
number of guns from six to eight
inches in calibre.
'Algerine. having aboard a landing
party of some $50 men, Immediately put
them ashore. a portion of them adj
vanced through Taku TO the navy ward
and took by surprise four new modern
torpedo boats, carrying two tubes AID
six three Founders each, and, conveyed