The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-02
Legations BOmbarded by Impe'
rial Troops Who Promised Aid
DETAILS GET OUT AT LAST
Imperial Government Making Every Effort
10 Stop international Advance on
Pskln England cOnIsm'
plates DeeIahug War

LONDON. Aug. 2,-Dr. George T..
Morrison. Pekln correspondent Of the
Times. has been heard from direct The
Times this morning prints the follow
ing dispatch from him, dated July 81;
There has been cessation of hostil-
tiles here pekinl since July i6, but
for fear oi lreaehery there has been
no relaxation of vigilance. Chinese sol
dlers con,inus 70 strengthen the bar
rieades around the conceded area, and
also the batteries on top OF the lmper.
laI city wall. but IN the meantime they
have discontinued firing. probably be-
cause they are short of ammunition.
THE main bodies II Imperial soldiers
have left Pekin In order 10 meet the
relief forces. Supplies are beginning to
come in. and the condition Of the be-
sleged "a improving. The wounded are
doing well. Our hospital arrangements
are admirable and 100 cases have passed
through The hospital"
The Tsung II Yamun forwarded to
Sir Claude Macdonald copy Of a
dispatch ,elegraphed by the Emperor
TO Queen Victoria, attributing all deeds
OF violence to bandits, and requesting
her maJcsty's assistance TO extrlcate the
Chinese government from It's difficulty.
The queens reply is not stated. but
the Chinese minister at Washington
telegraphs that the United States gov
ernmcnt would gladly assist the Chi
neEe authorities.
The dispatch 20 the queen was sent
TO the Tsung II Yamun by the grand
council July :. yet, the day before. an
imperial edlct had been. issued calling
on the Boxers 60 continue TO render
loyal and patriotic services in exterml-
mating the Christians. The edlct also
commanded the viceroys and governors
to expel all missionaries from China and
to arrest all Christians and compel
them TO renou1ce ,helr faith. Other
decrees applaudIng the Boxers speak
approvlngly OF their burning out and
staying converts.
"on July IS another decree made
complete volie faeeu, due 10 the vic
tories Of the foreign troops az Tien Tsln.
In this decree for the FIRST time. aud
one month after the occurrences, an
allusion was made 10 the death Of
Baron Won Ketteler, the German min
ister which was attributed to the ac-
tlon Of loyal brigands. although there
is no doubt that Il was premedltated
and that the assassination was COM
mItted by an imperial officer. as a sur
vivos, Herr Cordes. can testify"
The force besleging the legation con-
sists OF imperial troops under General
Tung Lu and General Tung Fuh Slang,
whose gallantry is applauded In the
imperial decrees, although II has con-
sisted In bombardlng for one month
defenseless womea and children cooped
up In legation compound. using shell.
shrapnel, round shot and expanding
bullets. The Chinese throughout with
characteristic treachery, posted procla-
nations assuring us OF protection, and
on the Same night they made a general
attack in the hope OF surprising us.
The wounded number 1885, includ-
ing the American Surgeon Lippett, Sc
verely unied. and Captain Myers,
who is doing well Seven Americans
have been killed.
IAN the ministers and members of
the legations and their families are in
good health, The general health OF the
community is excellent, and we are con-
tentedly awaiting relief"
After enumerating the casualties al
ready reported, and giving the total
of deaths, including the Americans, as
65 Morrison proceeds as follows: "The
Chinese undermined the French Legal
tioa which is now ruin, but the French
minister on. Pinchon) was not pres
ent having lied for protection TO the
British legation on the first day of the
siege"
The dispatch ends as follows; The