The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-27
NO HOPE FOR THE LEGATION
Cumulative Evidence of Their Massa-
ere Being Continually Received

London, July 26, a. m.-Mr. Con-
gers letter, the substance of which
has been transmitted to the United
States secretary of the navy, through
Captain Thomas, has increased the be-
lief in London that there is no hope for
the foreign legations in Pekin and that
the elaborate fabric of dispatches
which the Chinese are building to per-
suade thecivilized world that the min
inters are still alive is only intended
to enable them to gain time to COM
plete preparations fer warfare
The Shanghai correspondent of the
Daily Mail asserts that a Chinaman
who was employed in the British le-
cation as writer and interpreter has
escaped from Pekin to Niu Chwang
and that he declares that at the time
he left Pekin, most of the members of
the legations We're dead and the condi-
'tions of the others was hopeless. He
says that Sir Robert Hart, director
of Chinese imperial maritime customs.
died on July End.
The correspondent goes on to say:
NO other dates are given in the mes
sage from Niu Chwang. The leading
Chinese newspaper here published yes
terday dispatch declaring that it was
all over with the members of the lega-
tons.''
The president of minor board at Pc
Kin wrote to relative in Shanghai.
under date of July 8 saying: THE for
eign legations are still uneaptured, but
owing to the daily fighting it is report
ed that only about 300 persons are left
alive in the legations, and if there is
any delay in the arrival of the relief
force, l fear that none will be left to
receive it,
This letter is regarded in Shanghai
as authentic. Strange enough it says
nothingof any assistance to the le-
cations by Prince Ching or General
Lung Lu.'
While these brief side lights as to
the fate of the Europeans leave little
ground for hope, Shanghai sends a.
batch of reports Indicative of prepara-
tions for hostilities on the part of the
chinese. 1t is alleged that the Yang
Use viceroys have sent deputies to
Shanghai TO inquire as to the -prsspe&t
OF raising a Foreign loan ostensibly to
pursue military operations against the
Boxers, whose movement is extending
rapidly southwark with constantly
growing strength and has reached a
point where the provinces of Shan
Tung, Ho Nan and Shan ST, meet, ,leav-
ing behind it trail of burned missions
and murdered Christians.
AMERICAN AND BRITISH TROOPS
ARRIVE.
Shanghai, Tuesday, July 24.-Three
thousand American troops arrived at
Taku as well as eight transports filled
with British troops. Both detachments
are deficient in artillery.
cable steamer has started to lay
cable from Wei Hal Wei to Che
Foo and Taku.
TO BRING WOUNDED HOME.
copyrighted 1900 Associated Press.)
Tien TSin, July 20, via Shanghai,
July 25.-Most of the American sick
and wounded have been taken on boats
to Taku, where they will embark on
the American hospital ship So1ace for
the United States.
NO EVIDENCE OF SAFETY OF LIE
CATIONS.
London, July 25.-Lord Salisbury to-
day notified the United States ambas-
sador that it was impossible ITO accept
the evidence so far submitted by the
Chinese or that transmitted by the
United States regarding the safety of
the foreign ministers at Pekin, and
that until their safety was thoroughly
established the British government
would be unable to discuss any ques-
tion of mediation or kindred matters
BRITISH COMMANDERS COMPLI-
MENT TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS.
copyrighted by Associated Press.)
Tien Tsin, July 16, via Che Foo, July
A.-General Dorward, the British COM
cander, has sent to the American
commanders a letter in which he says:
II desire to express the appreciation
of the British troops of the honor done
them In serving alongside of their
comrades of the American army and
of the high honor accorded me in hav-
ing them under my command. I blame
myself for the mistake made in taking
their position by the Ninth regiment,
not remembering that troops fresh to
the scene of action and hurried for
ward in the excitement Of attacks were
hkly to lose their way. Still, the posi-
ton they took and gallantly stuck to
all day undoubtedly prevented a large
body of the enemy from turning the
right Of the attacking Line and infict-
ing serious loss on the French and
Japanese
General Dorward also expressed
sympathy with the Americans in the
loss of Colonel Lscum, and Captain
Davis of the marine corps. He COM
mended Lieutenant Smedley D. But
Ter and Lieutenant Henry Leonard, Of
the marine corps, and Lieutenant
Louis Lawton, OF the regiment, and
praised Lieutenant Colonel Coolidge
for his sdllful withdrawal of the regi-