THE FIGHTING IN CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 170, 28 June 1900, Page 3

THE FIGHTING IN CHINA.

1 FORCES FOE IHE RELIEF OF TIENTSIN. [per pbess association.] (Received 27, 9.1U a.m.) i Peking, June 26. The warship Terrible, which has arrived at Chefoo from Taku, reports that 800 men of the Sikh Regiment J and 200 of the Second Battalion of the Welsh Fusiliers from Hong Kong I effected a junction with the international ferce marching to the relief of Tientsin, which two days previously had been surrounded nine miles from Tientsin. It was intended to renew the attack on the Chinese on Sunday night.

Rear-Admiral Bruce has cabled the Admiralty that he was not aware that Admiral Seymour's expedition had been cut off until Tientsin was invested. Since then Tientsin had been fighting for life. The forts at Taku were seized by the allies, owing to information received that the Chinese army was preparing to attack Tientsin and Tonquin, to reinforce Taku, and lay mines at the mouth of the Peiho. Shenzh-suan-housai now states that the legations at Peking were safe on the 16th inst,

Bombay, June 26,

India sends to China eight battalions of infantry, a regiment of cavalry, and a battery of field artillery. The strength of the force will total 10,000. Received 27, 9.15 a.m. London, June 26. In the House of Commons, Mr. St. John Brodrick stated that since the repulse of the international Tientsin relief force on Thursday, the British troops from Hong Kong, 3000 Japanese, 1000 Germans, atd 2000 French troops have \rrived at Taku or were about to arrive.

Calcutta, June 26, General Gaselce sails on July 2nd. All vhe troops will leave here by the 135b. CONFLICTING REPORTS. EVIDENTLY HEAVY FIGHTING. ! Received 28, 1.40 a.m. Hong Kong, June 27, ' Admiral Kernpff states that Admiral ►Seymour was surrounded ten miles from Tientsin, but makes no mention of the ambassadors. Other acvounts state that 3000 mixed troops, commanded by a Russian General, fought from morning to afternoon on Saturday, and silenced the Chinese guns and forts, and forced an entry into Tientsin, the British and American troops entering first. The Russians, who had four killed and 30 wounded, were the heaviest sufferers. RELIEF OF TIENTSIN. RUSSIANS SUFFER SEVERELY. (Received 28, 1.40 a.m.) Hong Kong, June 26. The German community here have asked the Emperor of Germany's permission to volunteer for the defence of the German colony. The German Consul at Chefoo reports that the Boxers and Chinese soldiers are hard pressing Admiral Seymour, with the foreign ambassadors, 12 miles from Tientsin.

The relief column from Taku entered Tientsin on the 23rd, and sent relief to Admiral Seymour's column on the 24th. An earlier message from the German Government of Keachou, states that Admiral Seymour reached Peking. ! The Bong Kong-Shanghai Bank 'announces the relief of Tientsin on the' 23rd. Details of the disaster to the international forces attempting the relief of Tientsin on the 22nd show that 120 Russians were killed and 300 wounded-, The American casualties numbered eleven,' Received 28, 1.50 a.m. Admiral Kempff confirms the relief ofjTientsin. The losses of the relief column were very small,

GREAT UNREST IN CANTON. AN ARMISTICE ASKED FOR AND REFUSED. (Received 28, 1.50 a.m.) London, June 27. Qreat unrest prevails in (Janton, and there is every prospact of a rising if Li Hung leaves. Many Chinese have sent their families to Hong Kong. I Six of the principal Viceroys cabled to the American Government urging the Powers to grant: an, armistice, pending Li Hung's visit to Peking. America refused the request.

STATEMENT BY MR. BRODRIOK.

JiOSfDQKf, June 2?,

In th*s House of Commons, the Right Hon. St. John Brodrick said the Government had rtcaived information from a private source with regard tq Admiral Saymour's column, which had since marched northwards. It was understood from various sources that the legations were all unharmed on the 20th. Gieat Britain, he s»id, would welcome the prompt despatch of troops by any Power able to suppress the rebellion.