China.

Manawatu Herald, 5 July 1900, Page 2

China.

SHOCKING NEWS FROM PEKIN.

The British O>ns-il at Chee-foo telegraphs that on the 10th inst., the German Minister at Pekin (Baron de Ketteler) was murdered by Chinese soldiery while proceeding to meet the Tsung li-Yamen. All the other Legations were afterwards destroyed.

Other account? state that the soldiers dngsed the Minister from his h^rse and hacked him to death. They then massacred the servants employed at the Embassies, and also executed many foreigners. The other Ambassadors have taken refuge at the British Legation. A letter has been conveyed by a native runner to Admiral Beedermann, commander of the German warships in Chinese waters, from the Secretary of the German Legation at Pekin. This letter states that Baron de Kettler was wounded by the soldiery in four places, and died at the Chinese Government Buildings. The Minister's interpreter was also wounded, but regained the Legation. The Secretary further says that the British, German and French were the only one 3 not destroyed on the 25th. Supplies were short. AN OMINOUS MESSAGE. Li Hung Chang, with the yiceroy's General of Jung-hu, telegraphing from Pekin on the 29th July, stated that the other foreign Ministers were then alive, though it was doubtful if they could resist another day.

The Tsung-li-Yamen, the Emperor and himself were all powerless to help them.

FOREIGNERS AT THE CAPITAL

The foreigners at Pekin include one hundred officials at the various Lega tions, fifty Customs officers, one hundred missionaries and one hundred and fifty tourists and visitors.

Altogether, about seven hundred people are now being guarded at the Legations.

FLIGHT OF THE DOWAGEREMPRESS.

The highest Chinese officials at Nanking believe that the Dowager-Empress has fled eastward from Pekin, Prince Tuan having proclaimed his son Em-

peror, DESPATCH OF REINFORCEMENTS.

A Naval Brigade of 900 men, wih six 12-pounders and two Maxims, has sailed from Portsmouth for China. The German warship First Bsmarck, 10,650 tons, has been ordered to Chinese waters.

PREPARATION OF THE

CHINESE

The Chinese are laying torpedoes between Shanghai and Kiauguan, an arsenal near the Yang-tse forts at Woosutig. and at Nanking, in preparation for resisting a foreign attack.