LATEST NEWS FROM PEKIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11440, 2 August 1900, Page 5

LATEST NEWS FROM PEKIN.

SAFETY OF TIE LEGATIONS CONFIRMED' A TRUCE ARRANGED, PLENTY OF FOOD BUT LITTLE AMMUNITION. INDIAN TROOPS TO ADVANCE, AN IMMEDIATE START TO BE MADE. By Telegraph— Association—Copyright.

Hongkong, August 1. A private message from Pekin, dated July 21, says: — " The first news from the outside world reached Pekin on July 18. "The failure of the relief expedition under Admiral Seymour originally imperilled the situation. " The Tsung-li-Yamen broke off relations with the Legations on June 19, and war was declared on the 20th. " Four attempts were made to burn the Legation, but the cowardice of the Chinese prevented them rushing the buildings. "Professor Francis James was murdered. "The total dead are:—Germans and Japanese, 10 ?ach ; French, 11; British, five; Russians and Austrians, four each; Americans and Italians, seven each. "The. .Americans hold a strong position near the city wal'. " There aro sufficient provisions and excellent arrangements." Diplomatic and other despatches from Pekin have reached Tientsin corroborating the previous news. Mr. Conger, the American Minister, writing on July 21, reports that since the 16th the mutual truce had been observed, and the Legations were provisioned for several weeks. They have little ammunition, however, and if shelled as before will be unable to hold out long, when a complete massacre will ensue. He hopes relief will be speedy, and concludes, "All safe and well." (This refers to Mr. Conger's family.) Sir R. Hart seat word that he and his family are safe. Missionaries report that all Americans in Pekin and Tung Chou are safe at Pekin, but the mission buildings have been destroyed. A private message reports that General Yung Lu inquired if Sir C. Mac Donald would agree to a truce. The latter did so and everything is quiet. There is plenty of food in the shape of rice and horses. The greatest danger is lest the Chinese defeated at Tientsin enter Pekin. The Americans gallantly sortied on the night of July 3, and punished the Chinese. Li Hung Chang and the Viceroys are pressing the Government to expedite the transfer of the Ministers to Tientsin. Sheng, Direeto. of Telegraphs, announces that the Tsung-li-Yamen declines to transmit Legation telegrams unless written in plain language. Hongkong, July 31. The Governor of Shantung states that an Imperial decree issued on July 21 stated that the British Legation repelled an attack made by rebels on July 8, the rebels losing a thousand men. An Imperial edict asserts that the foreign Legations were safe on the 24th, and that the Government were supplying the occupants with provisions.