The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-08-10
THE FIRST FIGHT.
Allies and Chinese Battle on the
River Near Tien Tsin.
The Relief Forces Lost 1000 In Killed
and Wounded, Chiefly Russians and
/ Japanese-Ministers Said to
- Have Left Pekin.


Admiral Remey and Commander
Taussig, of reported heavy fighting
on the river beyond Tien Tsin, was
the news of interest in the Chinese
situation. Little doubt was expressed
at the navy department that the news
was substantially correct. The dis
patches stated that the allied forces
lost in killed and wounded 200 men,
chiefly Russians and japanese. 1t is
probable a later report may reduce
the list of casualties among the in
ternational forces, but it is evident
that the move on Pekin is at last
fairly under way, and that strong
opposition has been encountered.
The war department officials, who
have been exceedingly reticent for
several days as to news from the seat
of war, admitted yesterday when the
naval dispatches were received that
the announcement of the battle was
not unexpected. Opinion among the
various officials now in Washington
is somewhat divided as to just what
is presaged by yesterdays events.
The more optimistic are inclined to
think that such severe blow as the
Chinese must have received at Pei
Tsang will result in the speedy disin-
tegration of the forces now opposing
the march of the international col
umn. In line with this prediction, it
was prophesied that the Chinese gov
eminent would find means to send the
ministers from Pekin under escort
and thus stave off the advance upon
the capital. On the other hand there
was a number of officers in posi-
ton to judge equally well who held
that the fight at Pei Tsang was only
the beginning of strenuous resist
ance that would be continued to the
gates of Pekin or beyond. 1t was
urged in support of this view that the
Chinese had hundred men to lose
against one of the allies; that they
were we'll armed with modern guns
and had apparently an abundance of
ammunition.
Says Ministers Have Left Pekin.
London, Aug. THE advance of
the allied forces commenced yester-
day, cables the British consul at Tien
Tsin, under date of August 4. This
is the first official information re-
ceived here that the attempt to re-
lieve Pekin has begun. 1t is accepted
as correct. The British consul does
not mention any fighting, but the
Shanghai correspondent of the Daily
Mail, telegraphing Sunday, says:
"The Pekin relief column is reported
to have suffered check. The Chi
nese are said to have adopted Tugela
tactics and, after several hours of
fighting, to have retreated." This is
the only message received in London
this morning, bearing out the re-
ports of Admiral Remey and Com
mander Taussig regarding an en-
gagement at Peitsang The fact that
the advance did not begin until Sat-
urday is taken to strengthen the ac-
counts of battle Sunday.
In the same cablegram, which was
read in the house of commons, the
consul at Tien Tsin says: News
from the Japanese legation has been
received up to August L." Therefore
the edicts announcing the safety of
the ministers on that date are con-
tirmed.
Sir Chin Chen Lo Feng Luh, commu-
nicated to Lord Salisbury a message
from the tsung Ii yamen, dated July
81, reiterating the statement that the
ministers were safe on that date and
accounting the friendly relations eX-
isting between them and the yamen.
as well as reporting the sending of
supplies to the legations by the
yamen. The message contains this
important statement: "a successful
termination of the conference with
The ministers for their conveyance
under escort to Tien Tsin is expected;
but, on account of the recommence-
nent of hostilities at Tien Tsin, code
kilograms for transmission to the
representatives are considered unde-
sirable." This appears to confirm the
statement that the Chinese will en-
1eavor to stop the march to Pekin
oy using the ministers as hostages.
A Shanghai special dated August 6
says: Iii Hung Chang has officially
informed the consuls that the min
isters left Pekin for Tien Tsin last
Friday, August 3, with Gen. Yung Lu
N command of the escort. The con-
suls are by no means disposed to
credit Earl Lis statement. All other
renOrfS that have reached T,ondoD