CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 18 August 1900, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

China.

NEWS FROM PEKIN.

Another message has been received from Claude Mac Donald, British Minister at Pekin.

It is dated the 6th instant, and declares that at the time of writing the situation of the inmates of the Legations was desperate.

"In ten days." proceeds the message " our food supply will be at an end. Unless we are relieved a general massacre is likely to occur. Remembering Cawnpore, we refused the Chinese offer of our escort."

M. De Giers, Russian Minister at Pekin, reports, under date 4th instant, that the Tsung-li-Yamen, in his recent approach to the Legations with the view of arranging the date and conditions of the journey towards Tientsin declared that the Powers had never once demanded from the Chinese Ministers abroad the departure of their representatives under escort.

The Russian diplomatist adds : — " I consider an allied escort indispensable. The lack of communications at the present season would make the journey dangerous. THE FRENCH MINISTER. M. Delcasse, Minister, for Foreign Aftairs, in his recent reply to the representations of the Chinese Government, insisted that if China found it difficult to control the rebels, then the Tsung-li-Yamen should show the sincerity of its intentions by ordering the Chinese troops to stand aside and enable the allies to clear the road. This, he added, they were determined to do. CONDITIONS OF A PEACE DISCUSSION.

The American Consul-General at Shanghai has made a reply to the edict of the Chinese Government, under which Li Hung Chang was appointed to negotiate for peace as Plenipotentiary ot the Chinese Government. "

The effect of the reply is that the United States Government will be prepared to discuss the of the cessation of hostilities on condition tjiat a sufficient body of troops of the allied annies — its strength to be determined by the allied generals — be permitted to enter Pekin unmolested by the Chinese and escort the Minister of the Powers and the foreign residents to Tientsin. PROGRESS OF THE ALLIES. Brigadier-General Chaffe, Commander of the American contingent of the army of the allies, now marching on Pekin, reported 6n the roth instant that the army had on the previous day arrived at Hosi-wu, on the Peiho river, midway between Tientsin and Pekin. The " Daily Express " correspondent reports that the allied army has reached Huo-hsien-matou, within twenty-three miles of Pekin. Chinese troops at Ho-si-wu offered resistance totbeadvance of the column, but fled on the first shots being fired.