The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-23
CIRCULATION Statements.
The Siege of Tientsin.

The news from China is sim alarming
and there is. unfortunately, some cause for
fear that it may be worse. At latest ac-
counts the bombarGment OF Tientsin was
being holly pressed by an army of Chinese
regulars under three Of the empires lead
ing generals. The garrison of internal
tiOnaI marines and sailors was in sore
straits. being short Of supplies aud ammu-
milton. II aggregated all told about three
thousand men. On Wednesday a mixed
force OF Russians and English. numbering
a little over two thousand. marched from
Taku. and it was hoped that they would
be able to reach Tientsin in two days We
have little reliable information concerning
the siege. but it appears that our consul
ate has been RACED to the ground. and that
the foreign concessions generally are in
ruins
Optimistic reports continue 10 be given
out by Sheng the Chinese Director OF Tel
egraphs at Shanghai in regard to condi-
tions at Pekin. The story is reiterated
that Vice Admiral Seymour succeed
ed in reaching the city simuIta-
neously with the arrival of a Russian
column from the north, and that he found
the legations and foreign ministers safe.
While it would be uniustinable TO utterly
discredit these statements. il must be said
that the course of events at Tientsin Is
calculated TO throw a great deal of doubt
upon them If three thousand entrenchei
troops at tia, place have been compelled
10 fight desperately with no hope except
in heavy re-eCfOrcemerts. what are we to
think of the situation Of Seymour. with
only fifteen hundred and FIVE machine
guns He is known to have been opposed
in front By a large regular army. esti-
mated at one hundred thousand with ar
tillery. MaXims. and much Of il armed with
Mausers- Il is certain also that he has
been and is cut of from his base. and that
his rear has been harassed by hordas OF
Boxers. and probably by some Of the reEu-
lars now besiesing Tientsin. Moreover. he
was without transport. as he depended up
on the railway which he found DESTROYED
and his ammunition would have been ex-
pended in a few days serious fighting.
Under these conditions it is difficult TO
conclude that ne could have reached Pekin.
as alleged. by any process Of military rea
sOning.
For present purposes the powers seem
able and willing to act in CONCERT TO the
extent of relieving Tientsin and Pekiu-
and stopping the outbreak. which has now
involved the Chinese Government in omen
war against civilization. Our State De-
partment still adheres to the fiction that
state Of war; does not exist. The same
view seems to be taken at the leading En-
ropean chancelleries. Il will be aban-
doned on all sides when official knovIedqo
comes that the Chinese generals have act
ed against the foreign fleets and forces At
Taku and Tientsin under orders from
Pekin; or If it should develop that Chinese
regulars have attacked the legations at Pc
Kin. All the nations interested are push
ing troops to the scene of danger. and AT
last President Mckinley is alive to the Sc
robustness Of the situation. and realizes his
mistake in not acting earlier. when a few
thousand American soldiers added to the
little force the other powers were able to
gather hastily at Taku might have been
sufficient TO prevent much Of the horror
and bloOdshed that have marked the line
Of the Pei-Ho for the past two weeks.