The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-10

going into the interior difficult. The coun-
try between Peking and Tien-Tsin in other
years has been frequently flooded. River
transport Is almost impossible and the rail-
way is practically nonexistent and must
be entirely rebuilt. Military opinion is
unanimous. therefore, that If the legations
did not need prompt relief il would be
foolish to attempt to advance before Sep
tember.
The Daily Mails Shanghai correspondent,
under date of July .. says: lit is certain
that IL the powers make any movement
elsewhere north of Taku they must be
prepared to meet opposition. A Chinese of
ficial in high favor with Viceroy I-iu Kun
III, in the course of an interview, Says the
southern viceroys are only bound to neu-
trality as long as they are not interfered
with. They have more war materials than
they can use, and the military forces all
over the provinces are increasing. The
Yang-tse Kiang is mined with torpedoes.
The garrison at the Shanghai arsenal has
just been reinforced by two newly recruited
regiments"
SEVEN HOURS OF FIGHTING.
The latest news from Tien-Tsin is con-
tanned in a news agency message, dated
Friday. July 6. reporting a renewed Chi
nese attack that morning with twelve guns.
The allied forces replied with the guns
landed from the British first-class cruiser
Terrible and mixed force Of one thousand
men made a sortie under cover of the fire
of the naval brigade and attacked the Chi
nese, who retired after seven hours fight
ing. Earlier dispatches record severe fight
nn TfIlv m he
Chinese developed unexpected strength and
did considerable damage with artillery. At
the bridge near the French settlement there
was hard fighting at close quarters, the
Russians. with Gatling gun. finally COM
pelling the Chinese to retire, though they
suffered heavily The victories, however,
were not decisive, later dispatches showing
the Chinese were still full of fight.
Diplomatic circles in London are dis
cussing the best means of repaying Japan
for disproportionate assistance in quell-
ing the rebellion in China. They seem in
favor of settling the Korean question in
accordance with Japans well-known de-
sires. 1t is believed the assent of the pow
ers to an arrangement whereby Japan can
place an army of occupation in Korea, like
Great Britain in Egypt, will be acceptable
TO Japan as compensation.
Baron Hayash being asked by repre-
sentative of the. Daily Chronicle, "do you
understand that Japan has now been al
lowed a free hand to settle the trouble"
replied: At do not understand so. but I
know that Japan Is willing to do all in
her power to bring the rising to an end,
along with the other powers. Japan is ready
to put % 900 men into the field
If any sort of government existed in
Peking the settlement of the trouble would
not present serious difficulties, but if
anarchy prevails the situation would be
serious indeed.
THE TIMES MAKES A POINT.
The Times this morning says: Some Chi
nese officials are evidently desirous to have
| it believed in Europe that the legations
in Pelzing are still under the protection of
one section of the Chinese army. But that
| only makes it more remarkable that they
| should not employ the only convincing ar
| gument by allowing direct communication
between the ministers and outer world. We
| do not wish to insist too strongly on this
aspect, but the circumstantial rumors lack
| the confirmation so easily supplied If they
are true"
George Wyndham, parliamentary under
| secretary of state for war, said in the
House of Commons yesterday that since
| 1895 English firms had sold the Chinese
/ government seventy-one guns of position
| 123 field guns and 297 machine guns, with
| ammunition for each class. He also said
| that German Iirm in 1899 sold China 460, ,00(
| Mauser rifles.
| Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresford
| speaking at Malta, at the Naval and Mil
| itary Society Monday evening, said the
| trouble in China would be far-reaching and
| disastrous in its consequences to British
| trade there. 1t would be a military, moi
| a maritime war, and the powers that could
| place on the spot the greatest number oi
| troops would eventually have substantial
| advantages. The powers not consenting tC
the "open door," particularly Russia, HI
| declared would eventually gain supremacy
| He said IL was pity that his proposals re-
specting the reorganization of the Chinese
| army had not been accepted by the Brit
ish government with view to the posi-
| bility of a general war. Lord Beresford ad
vocated an imperial conference, to which
| all the colonies should be invited, to dis
| cuss scheme of defense.