The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-09
Hope For Safety of Pekin Lega-
tiOns Still Remains.
Latest Reports Contain Some
Encouragement.
DIVIDED THEY FALL.
Chinese Said to Be Fighting
Among Themselves.
Prince Tuan, the Usurper, En-
counters Resistance.

feeling engendered by Saturdays news
from Pekin was further strengthened
today by Rear Admiral Bruce's endorse
mcnt Of the rumors that Prince Ching.
who is said to be heading a counter
revolution at Pekin, is fighting in be-
half Of the legations against the
usurper. Prince Tuan- If the admiral's
hope that Prince Ching with his army
is defending the legations at Pexin
against Prince Tuan turns out to be
well founded. this turn of events is of
the utmost Importance, as it is felt here
that in some such division among the
Chinese themselves lies the best hope
for the safety of the foreigners.
If the powers can find allies in China
itself it will materially facilitate the
task Of restoring order. and those ac-
Quainted with the country believe that
If the diplomats are able TO induce such
a man as Ii Hung Chang or Chang
Chi Tung to send forces to the assist
ance of Prince Ching, the hordes of rev.
olutiOniStS will diSperSe as quickly as
they have collected and a way TO Pekin
will be opened without great delay.
With all due allowance for the uncer-
tainty in regard to the reliability the
authorities here feel that the latest
messages from the far east give dis
tinct hope. If, as suggested, the ma
tive sympathizers are able to keep the
besieged legation reasonably supplied
with provisions, the foreign colony may
yet escape destruction
ALLIED ARMY OF 100 900.
New York, July "a special to the
Herald from Washington says: An al
lied force of nearly 10O 600 men will be
in China within a few weeks These
figures are larger than those given
heretofore, but are based on better in
formation which has just reached here.
The allies at Taku and Tien Tsin now
10
forcements under orders consist of 49,
coo japanese troops. $4,000 Germans, 49,
COO Russians. 1000 Americans. 10000
British, s 600 French and 5000 Italians
1t is learned that the several govern
ments desiring an expression of opinion
as to the number of men required to
establish order in China recently asked
the aomlralS at Taku to make an eSti-
mate The admirals consulted together
and the highest estimate seems to have
been made by the japanese officer, who
placed the number at between 10000
and 100000 men The estimates of the
British, Russian and German officers
were smaller AS to those made by Ad-
miral Kempff the authorities decline to
speak, but there is reason to believe
that it is slightly less than the lowest
figure of the Japanese commander 1t
may be that it is Admiral Kempff's
statement that has caused the officials
to hesitate to urge the dispatch Of
troops at Taku until the arrival of the
japanese division and the Ninth in
fantry, which will bring the fighting
strength of the allies to about A, 900
men
Upon the arrival of the Japanese di-
vision at Taku the question of the Off
Ger who will be placed in supreme com
mand will naturally arise. The jap
lieutenant general. and so far as known
here he will be the ranking officer
Russia may not wish to permit Japan
TO have the preponderating force and
the commander also, and SO may send
an officer with the rank of general to
command her forces He will of course
rank the japanese officer. So far as
TINS government is concerned, it is WILL
ing to have any efficient officer in COM
mand, be he Russian or japanese pro-
yided the start of the expedition to re-
neve Pekin is prompt.
BRUCE FINDS HOPE
London, July 9, 1852 a m.-Admiral
Bruce mas sent telegram to the ad-
rniralty department, from Taku, under
are grounds for hoping that Prince
Ching, with his army, is at Pekin pro-
tecting the legations against Prince
Tuan. his army and the boxers
EVERY MOMENT PRECIOUS
New York, July 9.-A dispatch to the
Herald from Shanghai says: A mes
sage sent from Wei Hal Wei last Sun
day and received here today states that
her majesty's ship Alacrity has re-
turned direct to Wei Hal Wei with
twenty wounded men.
The situation is still grave, for the
boxers. although they have been moved
down by the hundred, still believe
themselves invulnera BILE. Every mo-
ment now IS precious
Boxer ernissaries are coming south IS
disguise and enlisting followers. Hsu
Tung, the most determined hater of for
elgners in Pekin, and tutor of the heir
apparent. has been murdered with his
whole household Of three hundred per
sons, while resisting boxer piIlagers.
11pfng Haseng. the anti-foreisn ad-
miral on the Yang -Tse. has returned to
Yam Chow Huan- The troops of Tins
Kiang Pu refused to accompany him
northward, saying that they would only
take orders from Viceroy Iiu Kung vi
CHINESE RETAKE THE ARSENAL,
New York. July 9.-The America a
consul here has received a cornmunica-
ton from Taku under date of Thurs
day, saying that 10000 Chinese under
General Mich appeared outside Of Tier
Tsin on Wednesday and reoceupied the
eastern arsenal, says Che Foo dis
patch to the Herald The Chinese are
fortifying the native city of Tien Tsin
The situation there is considered crit
icaL Communication between Tone
Ku and Tien Tsin is again threatened
Boxer influence is increasing in Shar
Tu1g province. The Christians al
Gilman Flu have been called to re-
nOuuce their faith. The French consu
reports that the Chin Chou Flu orphan
age has been pilIaged. A steamer ar.
ugee sisters and one priest from Mouk
den. where the Catholic mission wa.
burned with three sisters and thi
bishop murdered.
An inhammatoTy p1acard was postet
IN the Che Foo native city last night.
The United States cruiser Brooklyn
Admiral Remey. called here today, 4
hours from NagaSakis and proceeded t