LATEST NEWS FROM PEKIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 183, 3 August 1900, Page 5

LATEST NEWS FROM PEKIN.

LEGATIONS rALL' WELL.

CESSATION OF

HOSTILITIES

AN XMERiGaN MESSAGE

BRITISH LEGATION rALONE STANDING

LONDON, August 1

. Dr. Morrison, the Pekin correspondent of the London "Times," was slightly wounded during the fighting at Pekin. He is now convalescent. ■

The "Times" states that Dr. Morrison, its Pekin correspondent, in a message dated'2lst, describes the Europeans as displaying unwavering courage and splendid fortitude: The members of the Legations ard their families were well, -and the general health of the community was excellent.

They .were contentedly awaiting relief:

Hostilities ceased on June 18th, the Chinese soldiers probably being short of ammunition.

- -The enemy were continuing to strengthen the barricades around tb.e besieged area,, and the batteries on the top of the Imperial city wall. . The main body of the Imperial soldiers had left Pekin with a view to meeting the relief foree3, „,

Supplies had begun to arrive, and the wounded were progressing satisfactority, and the medical arrangements were admirable, although 150 case had*, passed through the hospital.

The Tsung-li-Yamen forwarded to Sir Claude Mac Donald a copy of the Dowager Empress' appeal to the Queen for intervention, but the day previously the Yamen issued an Imperial edict urging the Boxers to continue their loyal and patriotic services in exterminating Christians and foreigners.

The victory at Tientsin led to a fresh decree on the 18th, attributing the death of Baron yon Ketteler, the German Ambassador, to local bandits, although there is undoubted evidence that the crime was. premeditated and committed by Imperial officers.

The besiegers consist of Imperial troops under Generals Yung Li and Tungfuhsiang.

The decrees applaud the gallantry of the Chinese troops, although it consisted in bombarding for a month defenceless women and children, cooped up within the Legation compound.

Shell, shrapnell, round shot, and expanding bullets were used.

The Chinese undermined the French Legation, which is now a mass of ruins.

M.. Piehon, the French Ambassador, on the first day of the siege, took refuge in the British Legation. The greatest peril was from the Chinese, in their determination to destroy the British Legation. They burnt the Hanliu Academy, reducing the unique library'to ashes.

The "Times" declares that it now rests with the Powers to make China understand that she is held fully responsible for whatever has happened. If'more happens to Europeans in Pekin or elsewhere the punishment must be ten times heavier. It rejoices at the note of healthy impatience from Berlin and Paris against delay in affording relief.

Li Hung Chang announce?"that a decree, issued on the 28th, declares that the foreign Ministers are safe.