The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-25

concerned.
According to dispatches from valdi-
vostock, the Danish missionaries in Man
churia, after suffering much hardship
have been relieved and are now safe in
Valdivostock.
A dispatch received there from Chief
Engineer Krutzski, of the Manchurian
railway at Algatschi reports that the
Chinese have occupied Khailar in north
western Manchuria, near the trans
Baikalian frontier
The wherea bouts of Col. Youghovtsch
is unknown, but the Russian guard troops
are gathering for the relief of Khailar.
The railway section between TSi
Tsihar and Harbin is considered to be in
grave danger. Al lis quiet at Blagove-
schensk and in the vicinity of that town
and trade has been resumed.
DISSENSION AMONG THE CHINESE
copyright, 1900. by Associated Press.
Tien Tsin, Friday, July 20--Chinese
coming in from the country report that
the Chinese soldiers are killing the box
erS wherever the latter are seen, giving
as a reason that the boxers deceived
them into embarking on a hopeless
struggle. An intelligent Chinaman said
he regarded this as a sign of widespread
ing diSSenSiOn. It was only a matter of
a short time, he declared, before the same
state would exist in Pekin. when, in all
probability, Jung Lu, commander in chief
of the Chinese forces and Prince Ching
would be able to regain sufficient infiu-
ence to make peace, especially if the for
elSneTS III lne capital were SaI0. InlS
appears to represent the general native
opinion here as far as it is possible to
ascertain it.
In the meantime reliable news as to
events in Pekin and whether the for
eigners are alive is entirely lacking OF is
only Obtainable from Chinese sources
and even that is most meagre and con-
Trajectory. 1t is now thought that the
forward movement of the allies will pro-
badly take place earlier than was at first
supposed possibly by the end of this
month but nothing viii be decided before
the arrival of General Sir Alfred Ga
zelle, commanding the Indian contin-
gent.
A runner who arrived from Pekin yes
terday reports that the foreigners were
safe on July 10 and that there had been
considerable fighting between the boxers
and soldiers inside the city.
KEMPFF EXPLAINS.
Washington, July 25.-The navy de-
partment today made public the mail
reports of Rear Admiral Kempff ex-
planning his reasons for refusing to iOin
with the ships of the other powers in
the attack on the Taku forts and giving
an account of the attack which in
cludes many details not heretofore pub
lished- Admiral kempff also encloses
the report of Commander Wise of the
MOnocacy, giving z graphic account of
the action. Rear Admiral Kempff's ex-
PLANTATION for refusing TO participate in
the attack on the fOrtifcations of a
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 IT, 1900.-Sir: I would state
what follows in regard to the happen
ings previous to the resolve yesterday
by other senior foreign naval officers
here to get possession of the Taku forts.
2-On Thursday, June IA. Rear Ad-
miral Bruce called and asked what I
thought -Sf-the- matter and I informed
him that 1 was not authorized to initi-
a ant #
whom my country was at peace; that
my limit was to protect American in
terests both by regulations, and under
recent instructions from both the de-
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 railway station at
Tong Ku should be taken. CThe rail-
way is under Chinese government con-
troll And in case any Chinese govern
ment force acted against the force of
any foreign nation all should be in
volved and act .unitedly. Under my in
structiOns 1 could not join in taking
erty and did not care to become a party
to such an agreement without special
authority.
Yesterday, June 16, the same for
eign naval officers signed a compact
that it was necessary to take temporary
possession of the Taku forts and notice
was served on the viceroy at Tien Tsin,
and on the commandant of the forts
did not join in the attack on the forts
Captain Wise of the Monocacy had or
ders to protect American interests,
based upon department 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 N
To the secretary of the navy, Wash
ington, D. c.
SECOND REPORT.
United States flagship Newark, Taku.
China, June Is, 19OO-Sir: have the
honor to report as follows:
The commanding officer of the gun
boats 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 happened to
be Russian. The positions for the va
rtous gunbOats were then assigned, ta-
king positions in the second reach of
the river above the north fort. The
gunboats participating were the Kore-
cts, Guilak, Bobr, Russian; Iltis, Ger
man; Lion, French; Algerine, English.
The English torpedo boat destroyers
Fame and Whiting Joined in the latter
part after securing the captured tor
pedO boats near Tong Ku. The Japa-
neSe gunbOat claimed that her engines
were disabled, so she remained moored
near Tong Ku. and was assigned charge
OF the railroad station at that place.
The United States ship Monocacy be-
ing under orders remained moored at
Tong Ku and took no part in the ac-
ton Many foreigners were afforded
shelter and protection during the night.
A copy of the report of the command
ing officer of the Monocacy is herewith
enclosed.
The vessels except the Iltis took their
assigned positions early in the evening
of the 10th instant. and at about 12: So
a. m. one hour before the expiration of
the time limit. all the fort guns which
could be trained on the ships fired
simultaneously, many shots striking 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 rapid fire type.
The guns on the north fort were
chiefly Al inch while the south fort has