THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11521, 5 November 1900, Page 5

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

BUTCHERY IN PEKIN. GERMANS DEPLORE THE WORK THEY ARE ENGAGED IN. WHOLESALE EXECUTIONS. ! CHINESE PRISONERS BAYONETED. THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. By Telegraph.— Association.— Copyright. Hongkong, November 3. Private letters from the German force at Pekin deplore the butchery wherein they are engaged. They state that 16 Chinese were tied together by their pigtails and ordered to be shot. Eight, one a youth, were spared, after digging their own graves. The others were executed. Seventy-four who were captured while shooting at a German patrol were all bayoneted. An Imperial edict has been issued adding Liukunyi, Viceroy of Nankin; Changchitung, Viceroy of Wuchang, to be peace Commissioners.

FIGHTING ON THE SIIANSI FRONTIER. FIVE GUNS CAPTURED. Hongkong, November 4. An Anglo-German force stormed Izekingkuan, on the Shansi frontier, after a stubborn resistance. The Bengal Cavalry rescued an advance party of 80 Germans who got into a dangerous position. Five guns were captured and 50 Chinese killed. The European casualties were small. OCULAR PROOF WANTED. Hongkong, November 3. The European diplomatists have asked to see Kangyi's head and You.bien's body in proof of the statement that the latter committed suicide and that the former was decapitated. THE PAOTINGFU MASSACRES. Hongkong, November 2. An International Commission urder General Balliod, sentenced the Treasurer of the Tartar Government at Paotingfu and a Chinese colonel to death on the ground of being accessories to the murder of English, and American missionaries. Eight Boxers were shot at Paotingfu. One confessed that he helped to torture a lady missionary. General Gaselee, with a view to disgracing Paotingfu in the eyes of the Chinese owing to the murder and mutilation of Europeans there, destroyed the most venerated temple, and also the city gate and towers. ! EXPEDITION TO THE MING TOMBS. Hongkong, November 2, A Franco-German expedition has gone to the Ming tombs. Later. The Allies, including the British, have occupied the Imperial tombs at Siling, some 40 miles "south-west of Pekin. REPORTED FLIGHT OF PRINCE TUAN. Hongkong, November 2. Officials report that Prince Tuan shaved his head' and fled to Mongolia, disguised as a monk.

THE EMPEROR'S HAREM. Hongkong, November 2. The Allies hold possession of 100 members of the Emperor's harem. FRANCO-AMERICAN FRACAS. Hongkong, November 2. Some French officers at Yangtsun refused to leave' the carriage of a special train intended to carry the 14th American Regiment to Tonkin. Colonel Daggett thereupon summoned the American guard and ejected the officers, who demand an apology. SOME OF THE GUILTY. It should not be difficult to establish the guilt of a number of these leading Chinese ] " statesmen." The British Foreign Office i has already received some clear evidence ' from Sir Claude Mac-Donald on the subject. Among those at whose door lies much are: — Prince Tuan. the father of the Heir-Ap-parent. Yung Lu, the commander cf the northern armies. „ . Yu Hsien, ex-Governor of Shantung, now Governor of Shan-si. Cluing Li and Hsu Tung, tutors to the HeirApparent, both reported to have committed suicide. ' ~ Tungfuhsiang, general of the liansu troops. Kang Yi and Clbao Shu Chiao, special Imperial Commissioners, who reported favourably on the Boxer movement. Li Peng Hong, a Court favourite, who raised troops in the country round Pekin to act against the Legations. A notorious Boxer adherent. There are others. The reports that one or the other has committed suicide or been killed in battle, need be taken with suspicion. It is a comfortable Chinese way of self-effacement in times of stress to circulate these reports in the sure and confident anticipation of being once more ame to reappear serenely in happier times. But of this the Allies are aware.

THE COMMONWEALTH. • v-- •' . ■:+■>■,< -X--.'-v' THE IMPERIAL MILITARY DISPLAY. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. London, November 2. Detachments of the following branches of - the service proceed to Sydney — Household Cavalry, King's Dragoon Guards, 7th Hussars, 21st Lancers, Royal Horse, Royal Field and Royal Garrison Artillery, pontoon, telegraph, and balloon troops of the Royal Engineers, Infantry, a company each from the Guards, Highlands Rifles, and Fusiliers, a detachment from the Cold-1 streams, Grenadiers, Scots and Irish Guards, the Black Watch Highlanders, Light Infantry, Seaforth and Cameron Highlanders, Scottish : Rifles, King's Royal Rifle Corps, I Irish Rifles, Rifle Brigade, Royal Fusiliers, Northumberland, Welsh, and Irish Fusiliers, West Surrey and East Kent Regiments, Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry; detachments from the Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Department, Royal Army Medical Service, Corps, and Army Pay Department. Every branch of the British army will be represented. NEW ZEALAND'S CONTINGENTS. Sydney, November 4. The New Zealand authorities have offered 50 mounted men and three officers for the Federal celebration. They ask if horses can be furnished here.