China.

Manawatu Herald, 7 August 1900, Page 2

China.

PREPARATIONS FOR AN ADVANCE. Great secrecy is being maintained over the movements of the Japanese troops at Shankaikwan. It is expected that a simultaneous advance will be made on Pekin from Shankaikwan and Tientsin. Russian reports state that the majority of the Chinese troops and Boxers south of Pekin have concentrated at Yang-tsun. There are fifty thousand trained troops at Pekin, besides Boxers. It is considered that the advance before the end of rains would be risky, as the climate is now very changeable. RECENT EVENTS. In his report of July 21st, Sir Claude Mac Donald states that the Legations have food for a fortnight. Sixty-two of the inmates have been kililed and 128 wounded. ADVICE FROM CHINESE ABROAD. The Chinese Ministers in Europe have cabled to Pekin demanding that the diplomatists should be authorised to communicate with their Governments and also be escorted, with their wives, families and staffs, to Tientsin. The Chinese officials have returned all cipher and text messages addressed to the Legations. Li Hung Chang has assured the consuls that the Ministers will be placed in communication with their respective Governments if the advance of troops to Pekin is abandoned. It is stated by the Daily Express

that Colonel John Hay (United States Secretary of State) has urged Li Hung Chang to advise the Pekin authorities to place themselves in friendly communication with the allies. FIGHTING AT PEKIN. The Chicago Record publishes a message from Pekin, dated the 21st July, announcing that all the Legations except the British have been wrecked by shot or shell. The British Legation, though still capabla of defence, was much shattered. The position which the American marines still held near the city wall was of vital importance, inasmuch as it commanded the Legations. The sortie of the American guards on the night of the 3rd of July drove off the Kansu mounted troops, capturing many flags and rifles. It was feared that treachery was possible when the Chinese who were defeated at Tientsin entered the city. MINISTERS WILL NOT LEAVE THE LEGATIONS. M. De Cartier De Marchienne, the Belgian Cburge d'Affaires at Shanghai telegraphs a repof t that the Europeans at Pekin have rejected a proposal that they should enter the Imperial city. The commander of the Italian fleet at Taku announces the receipt from Sir Claude Mac Donald of a despatch dated the 26th July, in which it was stated that on the 29th the Ministers declined a renewed suggestion by the Tsung-li-Yamen that they should leave Pekin. GREAT BRITAIN'S POLICY. The Hon. W. St John Brodrick, Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Office, was cheered in the House of Commons, on Friday night on announcing the unity of the Powers with regard to relieving the Legations and establishing the supremacy of the Western world. Great Britain, he stated would cooperate with the Viceroys to preserve order in the Yang-tse valley. Shanghai would be defended whatever might occur — hence the sending of a third brigade from India. Mr Brodrick further declared that Great Britain would resolutely oppose the partition of China as endangering trade, but there was no reason to believe that the other Powers dissented from this view. Great Britain felt that the tuture government must I be by Chinese for Chinese. j FIGHTING IN THE NORTH, j The Russian army in north Manchuria has relieved the situation in that direction by capturing the fortress at Hunchun, less than 100 miles south west of Vladivostock. Many cannon were mounted on these works. CAPTURE OF A FORT AND GUNS. The Russian troops in Manchuria stormed and captured Hansin, a point of strategic importance where the Chinese-Siberian roads junction. The assailants captured twenty-two guns, including fourteen Hotchkiss weapons. The Russian casualties were seven wounded. The Chinese loss was heavy. TELEGRAPH LINES CLOSED. On August 3rd Li Hung Chang announced that no messages would go to the Legations, owing to the advance of the allied forces. PROVIDING AGAINST INVASION. The Chinese Government is sending the Pekin Palace treasures to Shantoo, the old capital, in Shansi. DEFENDING SHANGHAI. Rear-Admiral Seymour has exchanged friendly visits with the Viceroy of Shanghai. The latter agree to 3000 British troops being landed for the defence of the town.