THE BOMBARDMENT OF THE TAKU FORTS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10087, 16 July 1900, Page 3

THE BOMBARDMENT OF THE TAKU FORTS.

LATEST DETAILS.

THE JAPS. THE FIRST TO SCALE THE WALLS.

DESPERATE DEFENCE OF THE CHINESE.

EXPLOSION OF A POWDER MAGAZINE.

A GRUESOME SPECTACLE AT THE TORTS.

"By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.) (Per United Press Association ) Recehed July 16, 10.40 a.m. TOWNSVILLE, July 10. A force landed with the aid of the Maxims, and carried the forts by stoim. The Japanese first scaled the walls, amidst a hail of bullets and shells, whilst a British officer was, hoisting the Union Jack on the walls of one of the forts, tho Chinese soldiers still desperately defending their guns. The Russians and Austrians took the second fort, and turned the Chinese guns on the third fort. The first shot landed in a powder magazine and exploded it with a tremendous report, followed by a large 'volume of smoke, earth, and debris, which buried a large number of the Chinese defenders. Tho English and Japanese flags were «oon flying on the first fort, a Russian flag on the second, and the German and the Austrian upon the third. The Chinese soldiers began to clear out of thp forts at 6.30 a.m., and the fisthtinsf wa« fner. Thus within seven hours fi\e little river gunboats demolished the Taku torts, hithcilo deemed impregnable by the Chinese Government. The Chinese, as well as the Europeans, fought bravely and well. The forts presented a gruesome picture. They weie one ma&s of luins, while ri\ers of blood ran here, there, and everywhere. Headless and limbleas bodies could be seen lying in •» directions, and many of the dead had dropped into the mer. Tho mountings of the large guns were broken. Large stores of ammunition still remained in the lu.h. In the Chii.cje general's tent was found an excellent picture ot the German 'TCmneror.