The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-19
Chinese Attacked Repeatedly, Some
times with Torches, Trying to
Fire the Foreign City.
EFFECT OF CRISIS ON TRADE
GOVERNMENTS DENUDE ATLANTIC
LINES FOR TRANSPORTS.
Foreign Militia organizing at Shang'
hai-FriendIy Chinese Massa-
cred by the BOxer

VICTORIA, 3. c.. July 1s.-The steamer
Empress of India brings detailed advices
of the fighting at Tien-Tsin. Colonel Shim-
amura, who commanded the japanese
troops at Tien-Tsin prior to the relief of
tina place, has forwarded to his govern
ment a detailed report of the incidents
from the time of the attack until June %.
The report says, in part:
1.-THE Chinese advanced determinedly to
the assault. There were some hundreds of
them, and they were carrying lighted
torches. They advanced in a series of
rushes and the japanese allowed them to
get within close proximity before they
opened fire. Then the Japanese fired sew
eral volleys from the Maxims and other
small guns, and the Boxers, throwing away
their torches, fed. Afterward. during the
night. the Chinese approached in parties
of three or four, but made no resolute at
tack. They contented themselves with en-
~deavoring to sneak up and fire the out
buildings. On examination the bodies of
the slain were found to be young men of
twenty-four or twenty-five, clad in silk
and carrying pouches with Mauser am
munition.
about daybreak on the 18th some 1,5W
Chinese. wearing red caps and red belts,
approached, brandishing swords. AS soon
as they got within range two or three vol
leys were fired and they retired hastily.
This was but an advance party. for to
the eastward was seen a large force,
with a number of guns, moving toward
the native city. The allies watched them
unlimbering their big gun and at 2:45
p. m. the Chinese began a furious bonn
bardment of the foreign concessions. Many
of the shells fell between the British and
German concessions.
Under cover of the artillery fire the
main body of the Chinese advanced against
the railway station, but they were beaten
back by the allies. The Germans guarding
part of the city were attacked by a large
body of Chinese cavalry, and would have
been overpowered but for the timely ar
rival of the japanese. Reinforced by the
Japanese, the Chinese were routed.
ION the 18th. at Z a. m, the Chinese
troops, uniting their forces, attacked sim
ultaneously from the north and south. The
allies met and beat back each attack.
The Russian troops, who were in the
advance, crossed the river and attacked
the enemy from the front. They were fol-
owed by the English, Germans and Jap
anese. The Chinese were driven out of
their position on the opposite side of the
river, from near the native city, though
they continued the bombardment, aiming
at the buildings In the concessions.
ION the 18th the enemy's attack was di-
rected from the left bank. AS before, their
shells were aimed at the foreign conces-
sions, and they succeeded in setting fire
TO the specie bank, which Was burned to
the ground.
"On the I'D the bombardment was re-
sumed. The Smelling of the besieged con-
cessions was continuous. The Cossacks,
who were patrolling. brought intelligence
in the afternoon that a force of 1000 to
5000 allies were advancing from Taku to
relieve Tien-Tsin and had arrived within
sixteen miles of Tien-Tsin. There was great
joy when word was passed around of the
approaching relief, and next morning the
allied force, attacking from the east and
south. drove off the enemy and the firing
ceased"
Another report, published in the Japanese
press, from Tien-Tsin, say that or June
% the United States consulate was burned
during the bombardment.
The Japanese papers also tell of the
exploit of a young employee of a CONNER
cial house. named Waite, who disguised
himself as a Boxer, and, accompanied by
four Cossacks, left the beSieged city of
Tien-Tsin on June 10. After four days of
narrow escapes and flight from pursuing
Boxers he and the Russians reached Taku
on the 23d, with their letters, which asked
for reinforcements.