The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-16

entrust to other powers the chief task
that OF protecting Americans.
"Anti-foreign outrages are multiplying
daily. Officials and missionaries are mas
sacred. The fate of the ministers and their
families in Peking is not known. but a
general massacre is apprehended. Whole
sale massacres Of native Christians. con-
tinue. The whole country is terrorized.
Trade is paralyzed.
1.-THE speedy restoration OF order and
retribution for crime are duties pressing
upon all civilized powers. The corse-
auences of delay will be disastrous. Not
only are foreign lives and property placed
in jeopardy. but the loss of influence will
be incalculable.
situation sent by the Chinese government
to its ministers abroad. The present out
RACES are the result OF the weak and
We urge immediate energetic and con-
certed action
The Shanghai correspondent OF the Daily
Mail says: 'I assert positively that
the Chinese authorities had the dreadful
news from Pel<ing week ago. and that
Sheng knew all the foreigners in Peking
were dead when he asked the American
consul cable Washington proposal TO
deliver the foreigners In safety at Tien-
Tsin. on condition that the allies would
suspend their operations 10 the north OF
Peking."
The correspondent adds certain details
of affairs at Peking after June Is. Ac-
cording to his story, the members of the
legation made daily sorties. sometimes by
night. and so successfully as TO compel
the Chinese TO retreat from the imme-
diate vicinity. These reverses had a dis
heartening effect on the Chinese and there
soon began TO be open signs OF disaffec-
ton, followed by desertions to Prince
Chings army. which was endeavoring to
cooperate with the besieged. Ultimately,
Prince Tuan decided 10 make a night at
tack in three powerful columns.
ATTACK OF JULY G.
"At o'clock in the evening OF July &c
says the correspondent, fire was opened
with artillery on the British legation.
where the foreigners were concentrated.
For two hours the walls were battered
with shells and shot, and huge breaches
were made I'm them. Then a general adj
vance was ordered and the Chinese infan-
try, volleying constantly. moved toward
the gaps. The fire of the defenders. how
ever, was so accurate and steady that
hcrdes OF Chinese soldiers and Boxers
broke and fed in the widest confusion.
leaving large numbers of dead ana
wounded around the legation. They could
not be ransed until they were out OF rife
range Of the foreigners
Then rince Tuan. making a desperase
appeal, induced them to stand and return
to the attack Artillery fire was then re-
sumed and at the middle watch a second
attack was attempted. But before the at
tackers could accomplish their object they
were met by Prince Ching and Gen. Wang
Wen Shao, with their troops. who were go
ing 10 the aid of the foreigners. A desper-
ate battle ensued between the various
forces of Chinese and Manchus.
UNFORTUNATELY many of Prince ching's
troops deserted to Prince Tuan. Prince
Ching fell and was supposed TO have been
killed, but as the search for his body was
unsuccessful It is now believed that he
was only wounded and was carried of and
secreted by his faithful rctainers.
General Wang Wen shao. although
gray haired and seventy years old. VAL
iantly led his troops in person. ie was
killed and his force. which was completes
ly outnumbered. was routed.
throughout the night repeated attacks
were made on rhe legations. but these we're
invariably repulsed with heavy losses
Toward the end of the third watch.
about a. m. the allies had practically
defeated the besiegers. who were waver-
ing and gradually Withdrawing. But just
then General Tung Fuh Slang arrived from
the vicinity OF Tien-Tsin with a large force
CT Kan-Su braves.
"By this time the walls OF the legation
had been battered down and most OF the
buildings were I'm ruins. Many OF the allies
had fallen at their posts and the small
band that was left took refuge I'm the
wrecked buildings. which they endcavored
hastily 10 fortify.
Upon them the FIRE of the Chinese ar
tillery was now directed. Toward sunrise
IL was evident that the ammunition OF the
allies was running out. and at o'clock az
the advances OF the Chinese I'm force failed
to draw a response rush was determined
upon.
Thus standing together ss the sun ross