Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-06-08
ATTACKED THE BOXERS,
SOLDIERS ENGAGE THE"B "BoxER<,
IN BATTLE NEAR PEKIS.
Many Killed on Both sides-Japau
Protests Az ainst n ussfa Landing n
Large Force-The State Depart
ment Orders the Gunboaf Helena
With More Troops 10 Strengthen
the Forces Nearest the Scene OF
Trouble.

Shanghai, June 6-The soldiers dis
patched to attack the Boxers have
fought an engagement quite close to
Pekin. Many were killed on both sides.
In consequence of the representations
OF Japan, the landing of a large Rus
sian force at Taku is alleged to have
been stopped. 1t is believed here that
should Russia persist in sending a pre-
ponderating military force to the front
collision with Japan will inevitably
result.
Alarming reports are current here OF
the hurried completion of the mobtliza-
tton OF the Japanese feet.
The Russian Minister to Pekin, NJ
de Giers, has made another attempt to
induce the Chinese Foreign Office to
formally request Russian assistance to
restore order, but the offer has not yet
been accepted.
Violent dissensions are reported to
exist between the Chinese commander
tn-chief of the forces, Jung Iu, and
Prince Ching Tuan, who in accordance
with the wishes of the Dowager En-
press, is strongly supporting the cause
Of the Boxers.
The mobs who murdered the English
missionaries Robinson and Norman
mutilated and disemboWled the bodies.
The station at Yam Tin, three miles
from Pekin, has been burned.
The British Minister, Sir Claude Nc
Donald, is reported to be quite i'll.
London. June 7.-Affairs in China are
gradually working up a crisis of the
first magnitude. The morning papers
think that the British squadron is rec
ognized as inferior in strength to the
Russian, as we'll as to the Japanese.
The Daily Telegraph says: I'VE re-
gret that Great Britain is too much
occupied in South Africa to settle the
Chinese business with a strong hand"
The Pekin correspondent of the
Times says: mo train either left or
arrived at Pekin yesterday (Tuesday).
Further damage to railways is reported.
The Boxer movement is spreading un-
checked throughout the province.
mot one Boxer has yet been arrested
or punished. Anxiety is increasing re-
garding the fate of the missionaries at
the various stations. AT the meeting
of the Tsung Ii Yamen yesterday
(Tuesday) the Japanese Minister dis
cussed the offer of NJ. de Giers, Russian
Minister, to give assistance Of the Rus
sian troops in quelling disturbances.
such assistance"
Washington, June 6.-Minister Con-
ger, at Pekin, cabled to-day that the
situation was worse at Pekin, and this
statement, taken in connection with
Admiral kempff's alarming cablegram
yesterday announcing that an engage
ment had begun, decided the State De-
part to strengthen the naval forces
nearest the scene of trouble. Ac-
IL
miral Remey, at Manila, directing him
to dispatch at once to Admiral
Kempff's command the gunboat He
lena, or, if that craft is not at Manila
and ready for immediate service, then
some craft of cOrrespondingly light
draft and power. The purpose is to
place at Admiral Kempff's disposal an
efficient warship capable of ascending
the Pei Ho river as far up as Tien Tsin.
Admiral Kempff's flagship, the New
ark, drawing twenty-three feet of
water, cannot ascend the river safely
beyond the Taku forts near the en-
trance, but the little Helena, drawing
only eleven feet, can safely ascend to
Tien Tsin, forty miles above. She was
especially designed for service in these
Chinese rivers and so is likely to prove
much more effective than any other of
the foreign WarshipS which can pass
the Taku forts and reach Tien Tsin.
She carries a battery particularly
adapted to dealing with such half
organized mobs as the Boxers" Be
side her S4 inch rapid-fire guns she
carries 4.6 FOUNDER rapidfirers, 4 one
FOUNDER rapid-firerS, two Colts and
one three-inch rapid-fre field guns. She
is commanded by Commander Swim
burne and her complement is ten Off
GERS and 166 men.
In view of the service ahead of her
1t is expected that Admiral Remey will
add to this one or two companies of
marines. If the Helena leaves Manila
to-day she should reach Taku next
Sunday night or Monday morning.
Secretary Hay cabled Minister Con-
ger, at Pekin, an authorization to call
for reinfOrcements from Admiral
Kempf and to make such disposition
of his naval force a s he deems proper
to prote ct the American legation and
consulates and American interests gen
orally. The administration is still de-
termined that the United States Gov
ernment shall continue on its indie
pendent course respecting the Chinese
situation, though wiling to go as far
as possible to aid in the restoration of
peace and order in China. Therefore
Admiral Kempff has not been instruct
ed to join the naval commanders in the
Pei HO river in concerted acIlOn.
London. June 6.-9:15 p. ma spe-
cial from Shanghai dated June 9Th,
says the members of the majority Of
the legations at Pekin. including the
members of the British legation, are
sending their families away. 1t is also
said that several prominent Chinese
residents are leaving the city. There is
an unconfirmed report that two Rus
sian engineers have been mul lered at
Yu-ChoW-Fu.
There is an unconfirmed report that
two Russian engineers have been muir
dered at Yu Chow Flu. northwest of
Port Arthur. after their wives had
been outraged.
The total damage done to the Chinese
railroads by the Boxers is now esti-
mated at $1,000 coo.
Pekin June 6.-The situat tion is grow
ing steadily worse. Events move with
such rapidity and affairs, owing to the
excitement of the natives. are so crlti-
cal that the foreign Ministers held fire.
ouent meetings. They feel the need OF
q free hand for energetic action. with
out a. perpetual reference to the home
governments. Sir Claude Mcdonald,
the British Minister, is wiring for
seyenty-five more marines.
Native employees who have returned
from Feng Tai say they left the Box
ers openly drilling in the adjacent VIII