The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-24
BRAVE CAPT. M'CALLA
HOW THE GALLANT OFFICER RE-
sPONDED TO A CALL FOR AID.
Led i'm the Effort to Relieve the Min
listers at Peking-Letter from
Rev. G.. ID. Wilder.

BOSTON, July 23.-The American board
has received a letter from Rev. George d.
Wilder, dated Tien-Tsin, June Il. which
gives details concerning the outbreak of
the Boxer movement and makes known the
readiness and determination with which
Captain McCalla, of the United States
navy responded TO the call for aid. Rev.
Mr.. Wilder's says:
1.-THE Boxer movement has reached
climax. Murder and arson filling the
province from Kalsan TO Lin-Ching, ap-
parently with Tien-Tsin. Picking, and Pao-
Ting Flu as s.. ST. teiangls. where the
fire ONottest. In the triangle many minor
outrages were committed on Catholics and
Protestants during May, and great num-
bers of Boxers assembled. At the last of
the month the word came down from the
throne for them TO create disorder as
rapidly as possible. They gathered in
great force north of Cho-Chou and on
Monday morning, May 8. began work.
burning the railroad stations of Lin-Liho,
Chang -Hsin-Tien and Lu-Kou-Chiao that
day. Two men. woman and child were
brutally murdered The Boxers went on
looting station after station on the line
from Tien-Tsin to Peking.
I'VE reported to the consul and he sent
for troops. The japanese landed few on
Tuesday afternoon and the Newark sent
us lis marines and blue jackets and two ma
chine guns and three-inch cannon under
the energetic lead of grand old Captain
McCalla. The railway refusing to bring
them, they came a tug and lighter,
reaching us Tuesday night. All nationali-
ties gave them a rousing reception. Their
prompt arrival doubtless prevented an at
tack on the settlement by thousands of
Boxers. In two three days other ma
tionalities arrived, and Tien-Tsin was pro-
tected. But alas for those in the interior?
After the train stopped frantic appeals
came for protection to the ministers at
Peking. Last Sunday night the various
consuls here had stormy meeting until
midnight. The French and Russian repre-
sentatives bitterly opposed sending troops
to relieve Peking. They withdrew for con-
sultation several times. Consul Carts
(British) held steadily for that action
backed by the American and Japanese con-
suls. Finally Captain McCalla said: We
| have talked a good deal. Now 1 will tell
| you what L will do. Our minister tele-
| graphs that he is in danger. 1t matters
not what others do or do not do. My en-
tire force of blue jackets will take train
| and start for Pekng tomorrow morning.
1.-The British, Japanese and Germans fol-
| lowed this lead, the French and Russians
| refusing. But the next morning, when the
| train was made up, they sent in large
| forces. which had to report to Captain Nc
| Gala and then wait, partly for second
| section. Twenty-four hundred set out that
| day, and the next day three hundred Ger
mans To-day another train with officers
has gone. The first train pushed ahead two
| fat cars with seven cannon and machine
| guns and material for track construction
/ We do not know how far they have gone.
| The Chinese tracklayers deserted, and
| American sailors took up the work The
| Boxers who had boldly faced Chinese
| troops armed with blank cartridges or un-
| der orders TO fire high. gave these trains a
wide berth, though they were massed at
various points along the line This force
| may bring back those In peril If the gates
| are opened If not IL will be war against
| 1900 Chinese troops armed with foreign
| rifles and artillery. but, thank heaven. with
| Chinese ammunition. Two thousand Cos
| sacks and five hundred British are march
ing overland from Peo-Tai-Ho, we are told.
| THE viceroy was in consultation with
| four Boxer representatives on Saturday,
| and is said to have secured their promise
not to massacre foreigners at Pao-Ting-
1