THE CRISIS IN CHINA

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIII, Issue 12243, 2 July 1900, Page 5

THE CRISIS IN CHINA

THE RELIEF OF ADMIRAL

SEYMOUR.

EXPERIENCES OF HIS FORCE

INCESSANT FIGHTING.

ASSISTANCE FROM THE

COLONIES,

WARSHIPS SENT FROM • , AUCKLAND. tmiteu x-ress Association—By aleotrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received July 1, 4.30 p.m.) - LONDON, June 30.

Admiral Seymour reports that despite the incessant attacks of the Boxers and Chinese Imperial troops, who were repulsed with great loss, his expedition aff,vanced beyond Yangtsun, which is twentymiles north of Tientsin. Finding the railway demolished, and • being short of pro-* visions, and hampered with wounded, he commenced his retreat on June 19, constantly fighting, and often expelling the enemy from strong positions at the point of the bayonet. When the Imperial Armoury was reached, on .June 23, friendly advances were first made, and then a treacherous heavy' fire was ponced upon the allies, until the armoury was captured. It contained immense stones of the latest guns and ammunition, which were • utilised for defence, Ruahling Admiral Seymour to repulse,. all efforts at recapture. He could have resisted for several days, only ,he hampered with woimded- When relieved ij® burnt the armoury. His casualties were 62 killed and 228 wounded 1 , distributed as follows; 27 killed 1 , 97 wounded; Russians, 10 killed, and 27 wounded; Gormans, 12 killed and 62 wounded; Americans, 4 hilled and 25 wounded. The French, Italian, Austrian and Japanese were smaller. In the Hoage. of Ck®B9&>B Mr Bnodridk stated ti# the feha&t repent received by the Government pointed to the fact that the Ambassadors were still at Petan.

THE AMERICAN COhMANEER. NEW YORE, Jimp 29.

The “New York Tribune” state* that Rear-Admiral G. 0. Remey will replace Admiral Kempff on the China station. The latter’s failure to participate ip the attack on the Taku fort® has caused <mridewble comment. CAPTURE OP AN ARSENAL.

LI HUNG CHANG’S ACTION. (Received July 2,, 0.20 a^p.). HONGKONG, July 1. The Allies on Wednesday captured an arsenal north-east of Tientsin. Pour British Bluejackets were killed and fifteens wounded. The Chinese Wd-hai-wei Regiment repulsed the Boxers’ flank attack, with heavy loss. Id Hung Chang beheaded 1 130 Boxers, pirates and criminals at Canton, in order'to terrorise the lawless element.

ACCIDENT TO AN AMERICAN WARSHIP. THE BOMBARDMENT OP TIENTSIN. (Received July 2, 12.25 aim.). HONGKONG, July 1. The American battleship Oregon struck a pinnacle rock in the Gulf of Pechili. The rock pierced her side, and she has nineteen smaller holes in her bottom. The Chinese are still bombarding the "west side of Tientsin, though their shells, explode ineffectually.

PAMS, July 1,

The Viceroy oh Yunnan has cabled to M. Deloasse, announcing that he had caused all those who incited the 'people against M. Francois, the • French Consul, to be beheaded.

(Received July 2, 12.50 a.m.). SYDNEY, July 1,

The Premier, in a speech, promised to give volunteers a chance to go to China if Great Britain required them.

ASSISTANCE FROM AUSTRALIA. * SYDNEY, June 30,

The Minister of Defence has received numerous offers of volunteers for China, including one from Lieutenant-Colonel Neild, commanding the St George’s Rifles, who has offered 300 officers and men of his regiment. Sir W. J. Lyne lias replied to Mr Chamberlain, agreeing to the proposal to send warships to China, and offering the services of a contingent of the naval brigade if required.

MELBOURNE, June 30. The Government has offered to pay the expenses of any force accepted for China. MELBOURNE, July 1.

The Premier has received a cable message from the Agent-General, inquiring what facilities exist for the carriage of produce to China, and also informing the Government that probably mounted men would be in re. quest.

BRISBANE, June 30.

The Premier states that Queensland has no objection to Mr Chamberlain’s proposal, and has also offered’the services of the gunboats Paluma and Gayundah. It is understood that, if the offer is accepted, the gunboats will be manned by British officers and bluejackets. i

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S DESPATCH.

AN UNEXPECTED DISCLOSURE. SYDNEY, July 1.

The publication of ' Mr Chamberlain’s despatch with reference to warships for China, which was marked secret, was made by the Victorian Government. Sir W. J. Lyne is surprised and indignant at the disclosure, and says that no doubt Mr Chamberlain has excellent reasons for making the message secret. The South Australian Premier characterised the disclosure as disgraceful, and said that the result probably will be that in future important information which ought to be placed in the hands

of Australian Governments, will i> : withheld, lest it should be made oulv.o, iyii serious results to Imperial and cci-'ii.j.l interests follow. Mr Holder states tji j-t, tu-i ~ . Government dealt with the m»u.v.-: ir-iAobk , diately it was received, and derimid hodf*' ",, dose its decision. THE AUSTRALLAN SQUADRCN. SHIPS UNDER ORDERS TO T.JIAVS. ' [Per Press Associate:;. J AUCKLAND, Jum, Admiral Pearson has received jnsLvqtnsat 5[ ' t to the effect that three vessels of tV. Aastralian Squadron shall proceed to ;:hh’-a He has arranged for the Mohawk ■VLizard, which are now here, to wire a vrevisions and coal, and to leave tj-iugJ i, i-vl for th® Wallaroo, which is three days out from Sydney to Auckland, to proceed iaua?-- $ diately on her arrival here. \ AUCKLAND, July 1. The Mohawk and Lizard have left for .j', China.

The Premier supplies the following ir~ ; formation : —The Governor has received tha ; following telegram from the Smretaryr'of State for the Colonies:—“Her !JLie-~y'.c Government desire to express to you, tera their cordial thanks for the readanesif displayed to meet their wishes fo- the temporary employment of part of ike Au.'v r «.- - lasian squadron in China. This frem ostanoe of the readiness of the colony to -ooperate with the Mother Country in 'he maintenance of British interests ?.rd toprotection of the lives and r; her Majesty’s subjects Is gratefully appro--crated by the people of England.”