WAR IN CHINA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 191, 17 August 1900, Page 3

WAR IN CHINA

[Bl EIBOTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYBIGH! ] ' PER ,PRESS ASSOCIATION. THE ALLIES CLOSE TO PEKING. INDIAN TROOPS DOING GOOD WORK. (Received 16, 9.30 a.m.) Hong Kong, August 15. It is reported that the Allied troops are now within 16 miles of Peking. The American foroes hope the capital will soon be attacked from both sides, east and south. The Indian troops are eager to push on and rescue the foreigners. The Bengal Lancers especially are doing splendid work. Lieutenant-General Gaselee, commanding the British troops, and General Tamakuchi, in command of the Japanese relief detachment, jointly planned and executed the operations which resulted in the capture of Pietsing. They decided to rapidly advance on Peking in order to reap the advantage from the demoralised state of the Chinese after their defeat at Yangtsun.

The tactics of the British and Japanese generals met with conspicuous success at Hosiwu and Machang, two towns on the Peiho, about half way to Peking. There are indications that Prince Tuan and other reactionary officials fled to Peking. Paris, August 14.

France has decided not to oppose Count Waldersee as Commander-in-Chief.

M. Delcasse professes to believe that the Chinese question will soon revert to a diplomatic one. It is semi-officially announced that measures will be taken to* protect, if necessary, the French concession at Shanghai. The anrouncement is interpreted as intended to show French-1 men, after the Waldersee incident, that Great Britain would not be allowed to secure special honours at Shanghai. Beblin, August 15.

The German warships litis, Schwalbt, and Seedier are joining the cruiser Gefion at Shanghai,

BRITISH INDIAN FORCE AT SHANGHAI. OBJECTION TO THEIR LANDING. (Received 16, 11.30 p.m.) Bono Kong, August 15. The Viceroys have advised the Dowager to remain at Peking. The Indian troops have reached Shanghai. The Viceroy, instigated by the French and Russian consuls, objects to their landing.

THE ALLIES WELL PROVISIONED. INDIAN FORCES DO GOOD SERVICE. (Received 17,1.30 a.m.) Hong Koxg, August 16. The Allies a;e well provisioned. Lieut.-General Gaselee reports that squadrons of the Bengal Lancers charged the Tartar cavalry at Ho-hsi-wu, killing many and capturing two standards belonging to General Mah Sung's troop 3. Despite exhaustion and heat the troops are in gallant spirits.

THE WOBK OF THE ALLIES, Berlin, August 16. Advices from Tientsin report that Tung-fu-hsiang commanded at Ho-hsi-wu. The Allies immediately pursued, fleeing from the enemy in order to prevent them rallying in fortified positions. The Allies' cavalry pushed south of i Peking, with a view of cutting off a I retreat upon Hau-ting-fu. Prince Tuan executed everybody Isupp'ying foreigners with food or sympathising in any way.

THE ALLIES TWELVE MILES FBOM PEKING.

(Received 17, 1.40 a.m.) Washington, August 16, Brigadier-General Chaffee, the Commander of the American Contingent, reports that the Allies reached Natow, twelve miles beyond Ho-hsi-wu. THE ALLIES AT THE GATES OF PEKING. Beceived 17, f.50 a.m. Hong Kong, August 16, The Allies have reached the gates of Peking. GENEBAL GASELEE'S WISH. London, August 16, General Gaselee'g latest despatch stated: " I hope to tun the enemy into Peking." Sir Claude Mac Donald's cipher message of the 10th reports no change in the situation,

FRENCH AND BUSSIAN WARSHIPS AT SHANGHAI. ■- (Beceived 17, 1.50 a.m.) Hong Kong, August 16. One French aud two Russian warships are already at Shanghai, ' The French and Russian warships at Shanghai are to reinforce those already there.

CIPHER MESSAGES FROM THE AMBASSADORS. (Received 17, lbs .i.m.) London, August 16, M. Pichon, French Minister at Peking, in a cipher message on the 9th, says:—"lf the negotiations of Li Hung Chang hinder the march of the Allies our only chance of safety is gone, and we risk falling into the hands of the Chinese. The French Legation is still oecupied by the Imperial troops, who have not completely ceased tiro. We have a fortnight's provisions." Signor Raggi, in a cipher message, states that the Chinese <sre continuing to fire upon the British Legation. Mr. Conger, in a cipher message, says that the Chinese Government are endeavouring to compel Ministers to leave under a Chinese escort before the arrival of the Allies.

REFUGEES IQIOM PEKING. (Received lii, 9.50 n . m .) Sydney, August 16. Mrs. Allardyce and family have 1 arrived here from Peking, which place they left on May 12. Her husband. the, ftey, Mr, Mwlvc^ mat, jH ug

in Peking. When Mrs. Allardyee left the Boxers had begun to damage the railways. Her husband aacompaninrl her as far as Peitaiho, but on June 6 the trouble appeared to have blown over, and her husband retained to the Imperial University at Peking by what proved to bs the last train from Peitaiho.

Mrs. Allardyee says that so far as the present movement is anti-Ohristian the Empress has secretly encouraged it, but so far as it is anti-foreign she believes she has discouraged it. At the Legations there was little apprehension, the ambassadors, particularly the British and American, being strangely unconcerned at the warnings conveyed to them from time to time. When the war occurred with Japan the British Ministers ordered all the women and children out of Peking. There was no need for it then, but now, when the need was great, nothing was done. She discountenanced the statements that individual acts had anything to do with the outbreak, but Christianity and railways were at the bottom of it.