CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS. China.

Manawatu Herald, 26 June 1900, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS. China.

SLAUGHTER OF " BOXERS." The " Daily Telegraph's " corres pondent stated that after burning the Catholic Cathedral and other buildings at Tientsin, the " Boxers" invaded {he railway station. They came within fifty yards of the Russian troops, who fired fifteen rounds, from their big guns, and kitted three hundred of the-rebels. LI HUNG CHANG. Li Hung Chang, the famous Chinese statesman, who bad been summoned to Pekin, declares that he is mediating for the cessation of hostilities. In response to a request made by the Consuls, Li Hung Chang remains at Canton, as it is feared that his departure for Pekin, whither he had been summoned, would be the signal for revolution. AN OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION. A proclamation has been issued by the Admirals of the allied fleets in Chinese waters informing the Viceroys that the demonstration of armed force is directed exclusively against the " Boxers" and others resisting the march to Pekin to rescue the foreigners now at the capital. • • REVOLT QUELLED. The Viceroy of the province has succeeded in quelling the revolt in the inland province of San-Chan. AT TIENTSIN. Admiral Kempff, commander of the American squadron, has cabled to the United States Secretary for the Navy, that Tientsin, the river port of Pekin. on the Peiho river, is being bombarded. He states that the American Consulate and a great portion of the foreign concessions have been destroyed. A relief force, including a hundred and thirty American marines are inarching on the town. DESPATCH OF TROOPS. The Powers continue to prepare for the despatch of reinforcements to China. An entire Japanese division will embark in a few days. RUSSIAN ASSURANCES. Russia is assuring the Powers that her activity in China is strictly limited towards succouring the threatened foreigners, an announce* ment which is regarded as the direct outcome of the influence of Colonel John Hay, Secretary of state in the McKinley Cabinet. EFFORTS TO RESTORE ORDERThe European garrison at Tientsin comprises three thousand men. All the English ladies left the town on Saturday last, and were enabled by Chinese troops to reach Taku, at the mouth of the Peiho river, in safety. Four days' fighting has occurred

around Tientsin. The Chinese regulars, with many forty-pounders', have been bombarding the foreign settlement. The German commander at Taku telegraphs that a French officer who has arrived at Tientsin reports that the allied forces are short of ammunition. He says that the great part of the ■•■•reign concessions have been burned, <iud that the Russians are hard pressed, and their casualties have been heavy. REQUEST FOR REINFORCEMENTS. I Rear- Admiral Bruce, telegraphing to the Admiralty under date the 20th inst., states that fighting still continues, and that reinforcements are required. The Hon. W. St. John Brodrick, Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Office, in giving this information to the House ot Commons, reassured the House that Great Britain was considerably supplementing the troops already ordered to China. He also nnounced that on the 17th inst. the Chinese shelled ?. foreign settlement. A hundred and seventy-five Austrians, Germans, Italins and British attacked and burned a Chinese military college, destroying the guns and ammunition, killing the defenders. The Russians, with four heavy guns, did excellent service. The British lost one killed and five wounded, the Russians sevea^illed and five wounded, the Germans one killed and the Italians two wounded. The Chinese tried to seize a bridge of boats, but were repulsed, losing their general. DESPATCH OF TROOPS AND WARSHIPS. Thirteen of the British India Steamship Company's steamers have been chartered to convey troops to China. FEARS OF A MASSACRE. It is feared that forty British and American missionaries, including ten women, have been massacred at Tientsin. They are chiefly American Methodists. The head of the American Methodists and two others escaped to Cheefoo. They report that a lieutenant of the American navy with 150 white residents of the city, sailors and marines, while trying to assist the mis/ sionaries were all killed or wounded. The garrison at Tientsin, they say, is suffering terribly.