SONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 3 July 1900, Page 2

SONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

•• s China. EXPENDITURE BY JAPAN. The Japanese Government has obtained authority to expend __5,000,---000 in sending twenty thousand troops to China. Placards denouncing foreigners have been posted along the Grand Canal, the great artificial water-way which extends from Pekin in the north to Cnehchiang, on the Yang-tse river. The military school at Mukden, the capital of Manchuria» 120 miles from tho head of the Gulf of Liau-tong, has been destroyed by the Boxers. Three thousand Russian troops are advancing to suppress the outbreak. ADMIRAL SEYMOUR'S FORCE. Rear-Admiral Bruce has telegraphed to the Admiralty that Vice-Admiral Seymoor's international force is engaged, with the Chinese ten miles from Tientsin. The column is hampered by the sick and wounded. It is unofficially announced that Admiral Seymour sent a heliograph message to Tientsin on Sunday to the effect that his position was desperate, and he could only resist for two days. The relief force sent from Tientsin got in motion at daylight on Monday. It is a composite force, drawn from tha troops of # the various allies. On his march towards Pekjn, ViceAdmiral Seymour, finding it impossible to cope with the hordes of Chinese who assailed him, attempted to retreat, but was surrounded. He then entrenched his force and k^pt up a continuous fight until relieved. His troops only had a quarter rations. Many are seriously ill from drinking impure water. Admiral Alexieff, with foyr divisions of Russians commanded by Colonel Schirmsky, and an equal number of ■foreigners relieved Admiral Seymour's column on Monday night. COMPREHENSIVE PREPARATIONS. Sixteen thousand troops have now besn landed at Taku. There are indications that the Tsung-li-Yamen is alarmed at the preparations made by the Powers to suppression of the " Boxers." APPEAL TO THE COLONIES. The following message received by the Governor of South Australia .(Lord Tennyson) from Mr Chamberlain has heen distributed at Mr Chamberlain's request to the various Governments : — The Admiralty states that additional ships of light draught capable of navigating the Ynng-tse-Kiang and other rivers are urgently required in China. No vessels of this clais are ready here. It would take them six or seven weeks to get to China when ready whilst vessels from Australia could reach Hongkong in three weeks. Her Majesty's Government will be glad, therefore, if your responsible advisers would consent to tne immediate despatch to China of three vessels from the Australian auxiliary squadron, one of the Katoomba class one of the Mohawk class and one gunboat. If the three ships of the squadron now in reserve be sent they would be commissioned with crews to be sent out to replace those vessels on the Austialian station. The matter is of great urgency, as application for gunboats for the protection of life and property are pouring in from the Consuls, and assent from the Australian colonies would be gratefully appreciated by her Majesty's Government.