Latest.

Southland Times, Issue 14712, 3 August 1900, Page 2

Latest.

REASSURING MESSAGE FROM DR GKO MORKISON. A HANDFUL SURROUNDED BY ' POLTROjNS. GALLANT DEFENCE AGAINST TR.MENDOUS ODDS. THE YAMEN ACT LIKE CHILDREN. CHINESE IMPERIAL TROOPS, NOT BOXERS, THB ASS AIL AN IS. FRENCH MINISTER WITH THE BRITISH LEGATION. CHINESE DESTROY A UNIQUE LIBRARY IN THEIR MAD RAGE. London, Aug. 2 Received 3rd, 12.55 a.m. The Times states tbat Dr Morrison, in a message dated 21st July, describes the Europeans as displaying unwavering courage and splendid fortitude. The members of the Legations and their families were well, and the general health of the community was excellent. They contentedly await relief. Hostilities ceased on the 18th, the Chinese soldiers probably being short of ammunition. The enemy continue to strtngthen the barrioades around the besieged area, and have placed batteries on top of the Imperial city wall. The main body of the Imperial soldiers bad lef', Pekin with a view to meeting the relief forces. Supplies bagin to arrive ; the wounded were progressing satisfactorily, and tbe medical arrangements were admirable, although 150 oases passed through the hospital. The Tsung li Yamen forwarded Sir Claude Mac Donald's copy of the Dowager's appeal to the Queen for intervention, and the day previously the Yamen issued an Imperial edict nrgiDg the Boxers to continue their loyal and patriotic services in exterminating the Christians aud foreigners. The victory at Tientsin led to a fresh decree on the 18th, attributing Ketteler's death to looal bandits, although there is undoubted evidence th.t the orime was premeditated and committed by an Imperial offictr. The besiegers consist of Imperial troops under Yang Hi and Tangfulshiang. Tne decrees applaud the gallantry, although it consisted in bombarding for a month defenceless women and children oooped within the Legation c.mponnd. Shell, shrapnel, round shot and expanding bullets were used. The Chinese undermined tbe French Legation, whioh is now a mass of ruins. M. Pichou on the firet day of the siege took refuge in the British Legation. The greatest peril was from the Chinese who, in their determination to destroy the British Legation, burnt the Hanlin Academy, reducing the unique library to ashes throughout, and posted a proclamation of neutrality. The same night a general attack was made in the hope of surprising the Legations. The Times declares that it now rests with the Powers to make China understand that she will be held fully responsible for whatever has happened and that if more happens to Europeans in Pekin or elsewhere the punishment will be ten times heavier. The Times rejoioes at the note of healthy impatienoe from Berlin and Paris against any delay in affording relief.