CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS

Manawatu Herald, 19 June 1900, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS

China.

PEKIN.

The Chinese troops outside Pekin ire forming trenches, and training their guns on the American mission milding the American Legation, and the British Legation.

Sugiyama Akira, Chancellor of the Japanese Legation at Pekin, has been nurdered in the streets of the city by he bodyguard of the DowagerEmpress.

More Japanese warships are proceeding to Taku. at the mouth of 'he Peiho river. Two thousand Russian troops have landed at Taku, and two thousand more have embarked at Port Arthur.

The force of marines from the warships of the. various Powers which is working its way along' the railway rom Tientsin to Pekin, is making very 4^w progress, so serious is the lamage done to the line by the " Boxers."

Four mission buildings have been destroyed in Yun-nan, ' the border province of south-west China, from 'he chief town of which the French Consul had to withdraw a few days ago.

News has been received of the murder of Dr Edna Terry, of the American Methodist Women's Missionary station of Tsunghna, fifty miles north-east of Conton, South China. DESPATCH OFAN>EXPEDiriON. In the House of Commons the Hon. St John Broderick, Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Office, narrated the repeated energetic warnings given by Sir Claude Macdonald, the British Ambassador at Pekin, that China would be held responsible for anything that occurred through the criminal apathy of the Government. He stated that Sir Claude Macdonald and Vice-Admiral Seymour had been instructed to act in concert with the representatives of the European Powers in any step, they being given unfettered discretion, as it was advisable to protect life and property. Great Britain and Russia had igreed to snoport any Chinese mrfiority cnpnble of maintaining order. The Parliamentary Secretary further stated that Vice-Admiral Seymour 'omminds the first expedition marchi'tffon Pekin, comorteing 2300 men. Phis incl'tde 5 ? cpo British troops. Great Brira'n, he said, was in complete accord with the Powers regarding the Admirals action. He also stated that arrangements were being made to supplement the British force on the Yang-tseKiang. Mr Broderick's statement was rereceived with applause. THE RAILWAY. The railway line behind - ViceAdmiral Seymour's expedition had been out, and two bridges destroyed. The last telegraph wire with Pekin had been severed. The murdered Japanese Chancellor

was killed going to meet the foreign expedition en route to Pekin. PREPARATIONS FOR RESISTANCE. General Mung-Fusiang ami ten thousand Chinese troops threaten to defend Pekin against the foreign expedition. DESPATCH OF AN AMERICAN SHIP. The American supply ship Celtic, 1 which has been engaged in carrying troops to Manila, has been ordered to China. j THE BOXERS. Numbers of " Boxers " are reported to be openly drilling in the vicinity of Tientsin, the river port of Pekin, and chief commercial centre of North China. Ten thousand Chinese troops who were confronting Vice-Admiral Seymour's expedition have disbanded and joined the " Boxers." The " Bnxers " made an assault or the foreign Lections at Pekin oWednesday, but were repelled by < Maxim gun. All the telegraph lines between Peki» and Tientsin hive been cut. FOREIGNERS TAKING REFUGE. The Tsung-li-Yamen disclaims responsibility for the conflict with the European expedition. The foreigners at Pekin are being confined within their respective Legations. Dr Edna Terry, of the American Methodist Women's Mission at Tsunghua, who was reported to have been murdered, is safe at Tientsin. THE TAKU FORTS. The Foreign Legations at Pekin have been barricaded. Foiii Krupp guns have been landed from the Russian warships. The Powers have resolved to seize the Taku forts, at the mouth of the Peiho river.

A Reuter's message states that the authorities at Washington credit France with successfully securing a maintenance of equilibrium and preventing any one nation landing a preponderating force.