THE WAR IN CHINA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11808, 10 August 1900, Page 2

THE WAR IN CHINA.

CAPTURE OF THE TAKU FOIIT^

A German naval officer belonging to the gunboat Fuping supplies the Ostasiatsclie Lloyd with the following description of the bombardment of the Taku forts: — THE TAKU FORTS. At midnight tho German gunboat Iltis and the French gunboat Lion weje still anchored opposite the railway wharf, 'on the upper reach of the river, whilst the Russian and English gunboaU were anchored lower down. All the merchant vessels were anchored in the upper reach. One Japanese and one American gunboat were moored alongside the railway whari', to guard.the upper river and protect the woman and children. At a quarter to 1 the Chinese fired the first shot from one of the forts, followed quickly by shots from other forts, directed partly on tne upper and partly on the lower river, where the gunboats were anchored. WAR AGAINST THE WORLD. The booming of the guns and hissing of the shells proclaimed clearly that Ciima had ignored tue ultimatum ot the Allied Powers and decmced war against tie world. Shells whizzed past us, aud now and. .then, pieces struck tho ship and whari. The gunboats did not' lake up cho positions assigned them till 2 a.m., then got under cover of the village, whence they could aim witli perfect freedom. The Russian gunboats weru .stationed opposite.the furthest foris, as they had the heaviest guns. The Algerine and the Iltis came in nearer the nortiiern fort, which had to be taken first, and needed watching clos-ely. • Tho gunboats first directed their fire against tha north-western fort, and after that was taken, at half-past 3 a.m., by storming, part of the line of lire was directed against tne next fort, but darkne-s rendered accurate shooting on either side difficult,* and it was therefore most fortunate that this fort fell into the hands of the Russians, Germans, and Japanese just at the break of day. Flags of these nations, were immediately hoisted. With daylight firing from tho forts became far more accurate, and at times really good. I was ablo to watch how every shot fell nearer and nearer the mark. They no longer flew over our heads, as tho Chinese soon fotmd they were aiming too high with their heavy guns, and shortened tho range. If these guns had found the range sooner, I am afraid little would have remained of the six gunboat?. It was most fortunate more damage was not done to the merchant vessels by these highlyaimed shots. Shell splinters frequently 'truck tho decks of some of these vessels, and the Knivesburg had to shift her anchorage, and laud her passengers, v.'ho took refuge behind the coal heap?. THE ii-Aid-ALMOST A WRECK. At 4- a.m. tho Iltis gave the. signal for tho advanco by hoisting a black ball at the masthead. We could see a pinnace from a British gunboat going hither and thither in a veritable iiail of bullets, conveying orders to the' other ships. The Maxima on the Iltis now fired on the men manning the big Krupp guns at the fores with great effect, while the heavier guns of the Algerine and Iltis fired on tho heavy guns of the northern fort. At last lho Chine-e realised the necessity of destroying the Maxims, and fired with.great on the Iltis, silencing f-ix Maxims--. The Iltis wm struck repsal'cdly by shells, and in a short time became almost a wreck. The funnel, bridge, deckhouses, bow steer-ing-house, and the telegraph were swept away entirely. Captain Lanns, who was on the bridge, was severely wounded. Lieutenant Hellmann and seven men were killed. The Russian boats were repeatedly struck by shells, causing great destruction, and they heeled over in an alarming manner. Captain Lantis, with his'foot shattered, and wounded all over by splinters, remained at his post giving imtructiono until the battle was decided. He was then carried away, to prevent him from bleeding to death. BRITISH STORM HEROICALLY. .Between' 4 and 5 a.m. there was a fierce general bombardment of the northern forts, and their position was critical, as they were theatened with the fire of the .north-west fort already captured. Whilst the marines from the Algerine were storming from the river side tho southern fort was destroyed by a Russian melinite bomb striking the magazine, and a dreadful explosion ensued. The French gunboat then direct-ad a fearful and quick gun-fire on the next southern fort with excellent results. ■ '

At 6 o'clock the British • successfully stormed the northern fort with great courage, sustaining only, light loss. At'the same .time the southern foris were stormed. The This, Algerine, and the French and Russian gunooats steamed opposite the forts. A most fortunate shot struck the magazine of the second fort,.which exploded with n tremendous shock, throwing half the fort, into ruins. After this firing ceased for about 10 minutes, and then the forts recommenced. They fought desperately to save the forts still remaining, but in vain.

The guns of the northern fort, which were now manned by Europeans, directed their iiro on the southern forta, and the Chinese fled precipitately westwards, wherever they could. . AWFUL SLAUGHTER. By 7 o'clock all the forts were taken. They were much stronger than had been 'expected, and the Chinese defended them well, but had not been trained to fire at such short ranges. Otherwise greater damage would have been done. All the firing censed about 7.20 a.m., as the Chinese had fled, and it was not deemed advisable to pursue them. The English gunboat Whiting captured four Chinese torpedo boats in front of th>? arsenal at the beginning of the fight. The crews had fled, pnd had not even got up steam. At 7.30 on Sunday morning all was quiet. The sun shone on a terrible picture of death and devastation, and the flags of the Allied Powers floated over the various forts. The killed and wounded were now attended to. All the boats had their nags half-mast ."high. The bodies of hundreds of dead Chinese were found in the forts cremated. On the following day. the conditions of the forts showed Ihf great accuracy of the European fire. SCENES AT PKKING. The following account of the state of affairs in Peking is given by a prominent member of the Reform party, who fled from the city 011 June-26, and is published in.the North China Daily- News: — "There were over 100,000 Boxers and Manehu troops in the capital when I left, and numbers more were pouring in from all parts of Cbih-li Shantung, Shensi, and Hunan. Their main object was the plunder and hatred of the foreigners. The gates of Peking were open day and night to permit these reinforcements to enter. Those in the city had attacked the Foreign Legation? continuously for 10 clap, but were repulsed every time, although they managed to set fire to a number of houses adjoining, thus leaving the Legation buildings exposed. When I left I believe or.c or two of tlie Legations had already been destroyed. No decent person could get nnywhere nenr the pboe fur fear of being denounced as a foreigner by the mob. Not counting 2000 or 3000 native converts massacred by the Boxers inside Pckinsj. it is estimated that when I left over 4000 peaceable citizens had been slain in the streets. The Tartar and Forbidden cities were filled to overflowing with Boxers and Manehu troops at first, which caused panic amonsr the members of the Imperial clan and other banners, who were afraid they also would bo plundered as soon as the Boxers got beyond control. By a diplomatic stroke both cities were cleared of their dangerous friends, the [rates being . then closed, and strong guards placed to prevent further ingress. The Tartur city gates are now only opened for two hours daily to enable the residents to purchase necessaries from the other cities." A TURBULENT COUNCIL MEETING}. " On the 19ih June, Yung Lv, who had always advocated the suppression of the Boxers, having received despatches from the Viceroys and Governors south of the Yellow River urging the same steps', produced these despatches at the Grand Council held £bat morning- A groat clamour at once arose among the other grand councillors, headed by Prince Tuan and Kanir Vi, who denounced Yung Lv as a traitor, and overwhelmed him by numbers. Finally Prince Tuan and Kang Vi cried out that they would take all the- responsibility of war against the foreigners, and rushed from the chamber, all decorum and etiquette being thrown nside. The Empress Dowager left the council chamber in despair, and neither she nor the Emperor has since been seen. They are believed to be under the restraint of Prince Tuan's men in the palace. When this became known to the eunuchs and palace officials, the cry was raised :' Up with the dynasty and down with the foreigners,' which was taken up by thn populace. In the Tartar city an hour later began the reign of Prince Tuan and his clique, and I fear greatly for thn safely of the beloved TCrnnoror and the foreigners." PRINCE TUAN'S EDICT. Tim same paper publishes a translation of the latest decree issued by Prince Tuau, dated .Juno 25:—" We are now at war with foreigners, and fought great battles against thoin. The Iho Chuan patriots and people combined with the Government troops hava rnppuledly been victorious in battles with tho foreign enemies, and we have already sent an Imperial commissioner to transmit to theso patriot:! and troops tho Imperial commendation, and an exhortation to repeat their successes on the field. Now, we feel there must bo men of similar patriotism and bravery in all

the province's of the Empire. It is, therefore, our command to all Viceroys and Governors to enlist such, and orgini^e intu troops, as they will undoubtedly be of great use in our war with tho foreign Powers. Let (las, decree be sent for vhe information of all ths high provincial authorities of l'-r- >>->■-':•■. --i t!ie rate of 600 li a day."

AUSTRALIANS iis PEKING

PORTENTS OF THE STORM.

TAKING PvEFU'oii AT THE LEGA-

TION.

Letter, boaring date May 27 and June 6, were recently received in, Sydney from the Kc-v. T. and Mrs Howard-Smith (nee Miss May Burton), of the London Missionary Society, in which they describe the rising of the lioxeis in the vicinity of Peking. Mrs HowurdSmith wrots lronr .Poking' on. May 21 as follows:—

" 1 cannot tell yoa what a state of worry and excitement' we are iv just ;io\v. Eor a long time the country parts nave bseii greatly disiirrbed, owing to the Boxere—a ciass of pfeopie who are determined to annihilate Chinese Christians and foreigneif. They really have Becret orders from the Empress- to destroy Christianity, and although the soldiers and officials are pretending to put this tribe under, yet they are. really winking at the whole thing, and are just as anxious to join in the sport. Terrible rumours are flyiug round. One can scarcely buy knives, and they say the reason is that they have all been bought for l'Vida-y (Chinese feast day), and rumours and bill-posters say we are all going to be killed, so you can imagine I feel rather nervous, especially as their implements of war are long knives and swords. Our native Christians have been treated terribly. Last week, in one of our country stations near Peking, a native preacher belonging to our church' was hanged to a tree by his toes aud fingers. '.I hen one arm was cut off, and he was p.iked if he believed in Jesus. Re said, 1 1 do,' and so they divided his body into eight pieces and threw him into the river, and did tho samo with one of the other Christians. Naturally, "this hr.s caused a dreadful panic iv our church, and when they have finished killing the natives they say they are coming to the foreign missions to kill us. Day after day someone comes up from the country and brings us distressing news of damage done, and I am dreadfully frightened, and would like to leavej but Howard says he must stay and help, these poor frightened souls. You can imagine, witli Chinese all around us, how helpless-we should be if an attack were made. I am trying- to live until after Friday, the feast day, and if we all survive then I shall not be so afraid of rumours again. Of course, we hope nothing will happen., but we have had to make arrangements, and they say they will put a ladder near one side of the wall, so that I can get over with baby and fly; but I do not feel so sura that I should not be dead with fright, and I'should not care to leave Howard to their tender mercies."

On June 6 Mrs liWurd-Smith wrote: —

" At 10 p.m. we received news that all were requested to enter the British Legation, as trouble' was 'expected immediately. I was just unpacking the boxes of supplies from •London,- and just had time to gather a few things together, wrap,the baby in a blanket, and be off. This created-a panic in the compound, as it meant the getting rid of all the servants. AYe were accommodated in the smokeroom of the Legation. I returned to. the compound in the morning, and dismissed my class of 50 girl pupilg. The scare among them was- pathetic, as one child had previously gone home, only to find .that her mother and father had been murdered. The Boxers have 'occupied themselves in taking babies nine and ten months old and hiding them from their parents, who endeavoured to escape with their lives." - A BOXER BATTUE. . A Tientsin correspondent, writing on June 23 of Admiral Seymour's march on Peking, says:—"The British marines seem to have driven the Boxers on to the Americans, and between the two fires the.Boxers went d»wn \ like birds at a battue. There is no doubt of j tho courage of the poor deluded fellows. They clearly showed faith in their own invulnerability, and their supreme and awful ignoranc3 of modern weapons. ■ Many were boys, who have'been a remarkable feature of all Boxer aggregations. • ; A leader in a white silk robe and a red fa3h-demoiistralod boldly with a* white flag in front .of the Americans, urging on his followers are til he was dropped by a re---1 vclvcr shot." ' ■ OVERWHELMING ODDS. .. The same correspondent on July i wrote: — " Tientsin to all appearances is a besieged town. Provisions are scarce, buildings have been ruined, the improvised hospitals are full" of sick and wounded, and there are no native servants. Sniping is incessant. The ' bombardment lasted six day 3, from June 17 to June 23. The relieving force of 300 British and 1700 Russians fought their way from the point at which the railway was interrupted, three miles. from Tientsin. They met the American relief force, which had started 300 strong, three'days previously. They were in the direst straits, but uniting forces the combined troops succeeded in reaching Tientsin. The Chinese attacking forces numbered 12,000. The majority of General Nieli's foreign drilled men were well armed with Mauser rifles and artillery. A battery was posted at the fort in the native city at Tientsin. It was'built unknown to the'foreign attaches, and commanded the foreign settlements. Thisfort contained a big gun, nick-named by the Europeans ' The Empress Dowager,' and three smaller guns. The big gun fired 500 shots, and no house escaped damage; but only three civilians were killed. One day there was a continuous bombardment for IS hours. Women and children were sheltered in the Gordon Hall and the cellars of the neighbouring houses.- The hardest fighting took place at the railway station, where, of 2000 Russians engaged, 500 wore wounded and lulled. On June 18 a force of 500 Russians went to the relief oE 200 comrades a few miles out on the -railway/. They were successful, and returned on June 20, in time to participate in the important battle at Tientsin. The Chinese showed great determination and resource, and almost overcame the defenders.

THE CHINESE ARMY.

NO TRANSPORT OR MEDICAL

SERVICE,

From tinie ; to time stateirients hnve been made concerning the actual, strength of the Chinese army, but these have been based upon. ■ information gathered some two or three years ago. An English officer. Major A. E. J. Marshall, who is best acquainted with the numbers and disposition of the nation's military forces, sums wj the standing army as follows: — - . . FIGHTING TROOPS. Manchurian Field Force .50,000 Manchuriau Irregulars 20,000 Fighting Braves. .... 125.000 Chien-Chun, or Disciplined Troops... 10,000 205.000 r.ESRKVES TJJSDER ABMS Peking- Field Force • 13,000 "Banner Troops in Peking 75,000 Banner Troops in Provinces 95,000 Luh-Yirig, or Green Standard Regiment? .■ ..'. 506,000' ' . . 689,000 There is a' separate force at the disposal of the Governor of each province, consisting of troops belonging to the following classes: — 1. Banner Men. —These are descendants of the army which established the Manchu Dynasty 250 years ago. . T.he war with Japan showed the force to be cowardly and untrained, and little improvement lias taken place since then.

2. The Green Standard Troops, forming the Chinese Territorial Army, and a survival of that which was conquered by the Banner Men. '

3. The Fighting Braves, a, force that originated in Gordon's " ever-victorious army." The Braves were the first section of the Chinese Army to bo drilled in the foreign style.

4. The Ghieu, or disciplined troops.—This force, inaugurated by Li Hung Chang, is composed of the cream of the. Fighting Braves. They are the only* " beef-fed " troops in the whole army. After the-war 35 German military instructors were specially engaged to remodel, drill, and train these troops on the latest European lines. They are extremely unpopular with the remainder of the army. 5. Local Troops, or-raw'levies, armed-with spears, matchlocks, and bowa and arrows. There arc also 85§,600 reserves, between 16 and 60 years of age, including militia, volunteers, gendarmerie, river, and canal guards, grain transport; and tribes. Numbers are always reckoned by battalion's or " Ying" of 500 men in the infantry, and 250 men in the cavalry. •The most formidable resistance .the Allies will meet with is from tho Chion-Chun and the Peking Field Force. The Peking Field Force, composed of the pick of the Peking Banner Men, consists nominally of 13 battalions of infantry of 1000 men each, 11 of cavalry of 500 each, with 1500 artillery. The Chinese field artillery proper is under the management of the "Fighting Braves." There are" at least 30 six-gun batteries with theso troops, the weapons being 9-pounder B.L. Armstrong guns, and '/-pounder and 12----pounder B.L Krupp guns. ' The army possesses a respectable stock of machine guns of various patterns. There are said to be hundreds of Nordenfeldts of 42 M.M., 44- M.M., and 47 M.M. calibre, as well as Gntlings, Hotebkiss, and Maxims. In consequence' of foreign firms foisting inferior and damaged magazine rifles on to the Chinese authorities, the latter has decided

to rearm the whole infaniry with one standard pattern of rifle, and the choice has fallen upon the Lee, which has a calibre of .<k33ih, and possesses the same magazine system as the British arm.

The Chinese Army has no regular transport, commissariat, ov medical service whatever, everything of this nature being left to chance.