EASTERN TROUBLE.

Opunake Times, Volume XII, Issue 593, 15 June 1900, Page 2

EASTERN TROUBLE.

DESTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS CONTINUES. THIRTY-ONE WARSHIPS AT TAKU. CHINESE EMPEROR APPEALS TO EUROPE. Hongkong, June 10, The Trin-'-li-Yamen will not permit a train conveying foreign marines to leave Tientsin to repair the railway. Mr Conger, American Minister at Pekin, reports that the destruction of railways continues, and that owing to the inertness of the Chinese troops he is of opinion that it is necessary for foreign troops to protect the line. The American Government is willing to co-operate in the restoration of order, and insists on maintaining America’s independence of action. June 11. There are thirty-one warships at Taku. The Admirals will discuss the expediency of seizing the strip of coast as an inviolable refuge for foreigners. In accordance with the Viceroy of Chili’s recommendation, the British will be allowed to proceed. The railway was found to be damaged beyond Kangtsan, but the track is safe. An Imperial edict has denounced General Nich for killing the Boxers, and he has been ordered to withdraw his troops to Lutai, 80 miles away. The Boxers are surrounding and intercepting General Nich. The latter has telegraphed to Pekin that he vainly urged the Boxers to disperse, and that he had no alternative but fighting. He relies on the Emperor’s mercy, adding that there will be serious trouble with the Powers unless the Boxers are suppressed. London, June 11. Sir Claude MacDonald, British Ambassador in China, has telegraphed:—“ The throne strongly sympathises with the Boxers. The spirit of the natives and troops is doubtful. The Tsung-li-Yamen does not intend to undertake the summary suppression of the Boxers.” Hongkong, June 11. The American missionary college at Tung Chan has been abandoned. • Two chapels were burned by Boxers. Seventy-five converts were massacred, many being burned alive. The Tsung-li-Yameu is supplying arms to Boxers. A big detachment of foreign marines with guns is expected to reach Pekin to-night. Dangerous crowds are assembled round the Foreign Embassies at Pekin. June 12, The Chinese soldiery thrashed the Secretary of the Belgian Legation in the streets of Pekin. In pursuance of an international understanding, six thousand troops at Port Arthur are held in readiness to embark. Mr Long, American Secretary to the Navy, has ordered a hundred marines from Manila, London, June 12. The Times' Pekin correspondent states that one of the Chinese members of the Tsung-li-Yamen has retired, and four reactionary Manehu members have been appointed. President Prince Chung has been superseded by Prince Tuan, a powerful supporter of the Boxers. The Times, commenting, says the Empress is insolently staking everything on the anti-foreign poHcy. Chung was the only moderate member&f the Tsung.li-Yamen experienced in foreign affairs, and adds that there is an unanimity of opinion that the Powers must bend or break. The Empress’ intervention would undoubtedly receive the support of Chinese proper. The Emperor of China, through the Shanghai correspondent of the Daily Express, appeals to Europe to depose the Dowager-Em-press and enthrone him. Paris, June 12. M. Delcasse, Minister for Foreign Affairs, speaking in the Chamber of Deputies, declared that the Boxers were a common danger, and that fact was a guarantee of international accord. The Embassies were addressing a fresh warning to the Tsung-li-Yamen of the necessity of putting down the insurgents. France was prepared to send troops to the province of Yunnan, not with the idea of conquest but simply to protect her economic interests. Hongkong, June 12. The foreign troops have to use the bayouet to keep the Chinese away from the railway track. The Boxers have burned Sir Claude Mr Donald’s (British Ambassador) new summer residence amongst the hills, though it was placed under the Tsung-li-Yamen’s protect tion. Foreign troops are protecting the missionaries at Pekin. MISSIONARIES GUARDED BY MARINES.

Hongkong, June 12. Forty unarmed British and American Protestant missionaries are collected at the Americans Methodists’ station at Pekin, with four hundred native probationers. They are guarded by 32 British and American marines, Nothing has been heard of the Poating-fu missionaries for three days. The Catholic missionaries and converts are assembled near the cathedral and are guarded by French marines. As the Viceroy of Chili refused permission to the naval contingent from the British warship Aurora to proceed, Captain Bayly commandeered the third train to convey 350 Germans, 80 British, and 70 French troops to Pekin. The Chinese driver bolted with engine, and as the mob was damaging the track the foreign troops used their bayonets to keep the Chinese away. The Viceroy sanctioned the despatch of a' fourth train to Pekin, which carried 213 Russians with two guns, and 61 French troops. The detachments which left Tientsin on Sunday have reached Langfang, 40 miles from Pekin. Hongkong, June 18. Nine hundred British troops have been ordered from Hongkong to Taku. Japan ordering 4000 troops to embark, demands that the sphere of influence in China shall include the provinces of Che-Kaing, Tekein. and Kiangse. The Tsung-li-Yamen announces that Russia is bringing a large force to Pekiu, Six thousand Boxers attacked a convent at Paotung-fu. Two thousand Boxers, trying to isolate sixteen British marines, a head of a leading train, were repulsed with Maxims, and 40 killed and wounded. The British burned two villages. There were no British casualties.