China.

Manawatu Herald, 14 June 1900, Page 2

China.

The Embassies of the Powers at Pekin have collectively summoned the Dowager-Empress to suppress the rebellion. They threaten that unless this is done the Powers will take action. An Imperial edict' has been issued describing the " Boxers " as honest but slightly misguided patriots. The Shanghai press urges that a !h">usand British troops be sent north- ' : ' ?, v-n H^n^long. th° men being replaced bv a draft from India. x >e- fsuug-ii-Yamen (Chinese Board of Foreign Affairs) will not permit a train conveying foreign marines to leave Tientsin for the purpose of re* pairing the railway. Mr Conger, American Minister at Pekin, reports that the destruction ou the railways is still being carried on, and is encouraged by the inertness of the Chinese troops. In his opinion it is necessary that foreign troops should be directed to protect the line. The Tsung-il-Yamen has protested against the presence of such large foreign forces as are now in Pekin, stating that they are equivalent to a European garrison. The United States Government is willing to co-operate with the, other Powers in restoring order, but insists upon maintaining its right of indepen dence of action in regard to its general policy in China. An Imperial edict has been issued at Pekin denouncing General Nich, for killing the " Boxers " in the recent battle, near Tientsin, and ordering him to withdraw his troops to Lutai, eighty miles away. ' The " Boxers " are now surrounding and intercepting General Nich's force. The general has telegraphed to Pekin that he vainly urged the " Boxers "to disperse, and he had no alternative but to fight. He relies on the Emperor's mercy, and says there will be serious trouble with the Powers unless the " Boxers " are suppressed. There are now thirty-one warships at Taku, in the Gulf of Pi-chi-li. The Admirals, will discuss the expediency of seizing a strip of the coast as an inviolable place of safety for refugee foreigners. In accordance with the recommendation of the Viceroy of Chili, some British officers were allowed to proceed to inspect the railway. They found it damage beyond Kangstan, but the track is safe. Sir Claude Macdonald, the British Ambassador at Pekin, has cabled to the Foreign Office as fojlows :— " The Throne strongly sympathises with the " Boxers." The spirit of the native hoops is doubtful. The Tsung-li-Yamen does not intend the summary repression of the ' Boxers.' " FOREIGN TROOPS SENT TO THE CAPITAL. Dangerous crowds are assembled around the foreign Embassies at Pekin. A British force of 650 marines, under Commander Fremantle, with Hotchki3S and other guns, and a hundred American, forty Italian, and twenty-five Austrain marines, entrained at Tientsin yesterday. Another train took six hundred British, Japanese, Russian and French marines. A third train with five hundred German, British and French marines has also started for Pekin. MASSACRE OF CONVERTS. • The American missionary college at Tung-chau, ten miles east of Pekin, has been abandoned. Two chapels have been burned by the " Boxers " and seventy-five converts massacred. Many of them were burned alive. The Tsung-li-Yamen is supplying the " Boxers " with arms. A big detachment of foreign marines with guns, was expected to reach Pekin on Nonday. OUTRAGE ON A BELGIAN. The Chinese soldiery .thrashed the secretary of the* Belgian, Legation in the streets of Pekin. TROOPS READY FOR EMBARKATION: In pursuance of an international understanding, six thousand troops are being held in readines to embark at Port Arthur. The United States Secretary to the Navy (Mr Long) has ordered a hundred marines from Manila. INTRIGUES OF THE EMPRESS. The Pekin correspondent of the Times states that one of the Chinese members of the Taung-li-Yaraen has retired, and four reactionary Manchu members have been appointed. The President (Prince Ching) has been superseded by Prince Tuan, the Crown Prince's father, and a powerful supporter of the " Boxers." - The Times, in commenting editorially on this message, says that the Dowager Empress is insojeutly staking everything on an anti-foreign policy. Prince Ching was the only moderate member of the Tsung-li-Yamen experienced in foreign affairs. The paper adds that their is a unanimity of opinion that the Powers, must bend or break the Empress. Intervention would undoubtedly receive the support of the Chinese proper.