WAR IN CHINA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 188, 27 July 1900, Page 3

WAR IN CHINA

{Br Saama Thlsqbaph.—Copyright. ] [FIB PUSS ASSOCIATION.] LEGATIONS AT PEKING. ' LETTER FROM SIR CLAUDE HAODONALD. ALL SAFE ON 4th JULY. Received 26, 9 a m. Hohg Kong, July 25. Mr. W. E. Carles, British Consul at Tientsin, received on Saturday a letter from Sir OUude Mac Donald, dated Peking, July 4th, stating that they had only a fortnight's provisions, and that the garrison would be unable to resist the determined attack many days. He added that there had been 44 deaths and 38 wonnded amongst the garrison. Li Hung Ohang, interviewed, declared that fighting had ceased at Faking, and that the foreigners were holding a position south of the Kuho Bridge, while General Tungfuhsiang's forces are north of the bridge. He said the Tsung-li-Yamen is advising the Emperor and the Dowager to allow General Sorwanlin to escort the Ministers to Tientsin, China was unable to pay any indemnity, and will not submit to further annexation of territory. The Shanghai Press declares that China is plainly bluffing the Powers in order to gain time. Jack's mining party were safe at Mienchau, in the Sze-chuanj Province, on July 12th. The trouble of interpreting the languages is hampering concerted action by the Allies at Tientsin. London, July 25. . Renter's Agency reports that the Russians at Tientsin seek to control theTaku-Peking Railway. Admiral Seymour disapproved of the Russians repairing the railway beyond Tientsin, as he considers it was entrusted to the British. The French seek to control the river tugs. It is believed that France and Russia intend to share the control. British residents apprehend that exclusive Russian and French control of either means of transport will be a menace to British interests. Berlin, July 25. Herr von Bnlow refuses to submit to the Emperor in respect to the Emperor of China's appeal for mediation until the fate of the Legations is ascertained, and the Chinese atone for Baron Ton Eetteler's murder. Washington, July 25. In response to the appeal to America for mediation, President McKinley said an amicable settlsment was possible if the Legations were allowed immediate free communication and the danger to their lives and liberty was removed; also if the Tsung-li-Yamen co-operated with the Allies in the protection of foreigners and the restoration of order. THE RELIEF OF PEKING, I DATE OF ALLIES' ADVANOE. Received 26, 6.30 p.m. 51 Hon a Ko.\g, July 25. ■ The Allies hope to advance on Peking 40^ aily in August. A DELAYED MESSAGE. THE TROUBLES OF THE LEGATIONS. (Received 20, 11.30 p.m.) Hong Koxo, July 26. Mr. Conger's wriiten message, dated July 4th, reached Tientsin on Saturday, It stated that they had been besioged 'for a fortnight. The British Legation soldiers were daily shelling, and relief was nesded soon if at all. The army -holding the city had determined to maseacre all foreigner.*. Runners from Peking report that '"the city was in a state of siege and anarchy on the 14th.

. A GENERAL RISING FEARED. r THE WAY TO PEKING. * Received 27,1.36 a.m. } Hong Kong, July 26. i Fearing a general rising, all mis- c sionaries have been ordered to Shanghai J and Hong Kong. \ The Allies are undecided as to the 1 route to advance on Peking. Some are t preferring to start from Shaog-bai- 1 kwan. ' MORE NEWS OF TEE LEGATIONS. : ■Received 27,1 AO a.m. 1 lIo.\G Kong, July 26. . A Chinese intei preter employed by Sir Claude Mac Donald has reached , Niu-chwang, and reports that Sir Robert Hart perished on the 2nd. . The majority cf those of the British Legation are dead and the rest hopeless. ] Takon, the Anti-Foreign Viceroy of , Canton, declares that foreigners at the ligations were alive on Sunday last. , Li Hung Chang asserts that the 'j-'eucg-li-Yamen will convey Ministers , to Tientsin if the advance on Peking is abandoned. The Consuls, before opening negotiations, insist on being supplied with indisputable evidence that the foreigners are alive. THE SITUATION IST MANCHURIA. CHINESE ATTACK THE RUS3IANS. (Received 27, 1.45 a.m.) Honq Komi. July 26. The situa'iou m Aliiuchuiia is serious. D;spite Russian reassurances, the Chinese again bombarded Blagoveschensk and attacked Russian steamers r on tfct>river Amur. PROPOSED NEW SOUTH WALES CONTINGENT. Received 26, 9.30 a.m. Sydney, July 2G. Sir W. J. Lyne, in asking the A serably to doal with a motion for sending a contingent to Cl.iia as a , nwttor of urgency and pass it through eli stages, warmly urgod it on tin/ • grounds of patriotism, prestige, and - practical training it would affo*d to • naval volunteers. j <■ Mr. Reid supported the Premier. Mr,- Oarratntrs moved an amendjatpt that no emergen;v origQn ia Ctisa to wa.-iv.pi ,

Several members favoured giving the third contingent who were disappointed about not going to the Transvaal a chance. The amendment was negatived on the voices, and the motion carried by 57 to 7. The revised estimated cost is X 15,000 for six months. NEW ZEALAND MISSIONARIES. ' Ohbistchurch, July 26. A cable was received here yesterday from Mr. Whitridge, of Melbourne, secretary of the Chinese Inland Mission, stating that Searell and Whitchurch were both murdered. This refers to Wat Edith E. Searell, previously of this city, sister of Mr. Twist Searell, and Miss Whitchurch, who was a fellow-worker, but did not come from Australasia. Both were stationed at Haion, in the Province of Shansi; Miss Searell was engaged in opium refuge work. Sbe was between 36 and 37 years of age, and had spent almost all her life in Christchurch, where she was an ardent Christian worker. Though no date is mentioned in the cable it is considered authentic, as the Secretary at Melbourne states that the information came from Shanghai, where the Consul of the Mission is stationed. j

A CABLE FROM SHANGHAI. VERY FAVOURABLE NEWS. Auckland, July 26, Mr. Kirke, general manager of the South British Insurance Company, has received a cable, bearing the Shanghai date of yesterday, from the manager of the Company there as follows: —" The general opinion here is that there is no danger for the present."