New-York tribune., 1900-07-20

embassies. Nothing had been heard from Minis
ter Conger since June u.
CONSERVATION struck our naval experts on
June 30 when the Oregon ran q rock about
thirty-hve miles northeast OF Che-Foo and suf-
fered serious damage. First reports made her
out total wreck but she was 1oated July 2
and be repaired.
On the same day 1t became known that Prince
Tuan. father OF the heir apparent of China. had
usurped the Imperial authority, placed himself
at the head Of the Boxers and had issued an
order for the determination OF all foreigners IN
China The Viceroys and Governors Of the
southern provinces however refused to recog-
nize the authority Of Tuan and took steps for
the formation of an independent State, with
Marking capital 1t being their intention to
maintain friendly relations with the Powers
DIRE NEWS FROM PEKING.
The ominous silence concerning affairs in Pc
king was broken July f. when courier from
the capital reached the coast with message
from Sir Robert Hart. He asked for speedy re-
lief, said that the foreigners were battling in
cessantly with the mobs, and were on the night
Of June "a when the courier started, making a
desperate stand in the incosure of the British
Legation. The Emperor and Empress pr1s-
oners in their palace by this time, and Prince
Tuan was having everything his own way. Other
couriers who left Peking day or two later than
Sir Robert Harts messenger, but who reached
the coast at the same time, said that the heads
of some OF the captured legation guards
being borne through the streets Of the capital
on the points OF spears, followed by crowds OF
frenzied Boxers yelling. XIII the foreign devls
Kill! XIII" Sir Robert Hart succeeded in get
ting another message through the lines on June
%. which reached the outside world on July 5.
1t said that Chinese troops were shelling the
British Legation, where all the members of the
diplomatic body were congregated. Notwith-
standing this narrowing appeal the Russian
and British Admirals at Taku decided that it
would be suicidal to attempt the relief of Pc
king without greatly increased forces.
AS a result of this desperate situation the an
nouncement was made on July that Russia had
consented to give Japan free hand to apply
military force in China. No Power raised any
objection to this course. and the Japanese or
dered army division to be sent at to
China, making the total number OF Japanese
troops there twenty-three thousand. Reassurng
news concerning Peking was received from Con-
sul-General Goodnow at Shanghai July s.
He telegraphed that a courier who left Peking
July reported that the legations still
standing The 9th Regiment arrived at Taku
from Manila on July Z.
CHINA STATES HER CASE.
WI Ting Fang the Chinese Minister at Wash
ington, delivered to Secretary Hay July IL
a translation of long Imperial decree. dated
June 90 in which the Chinese Government de-
nies all responsibility for the outrages, asserts
that the fighting did not begin with the Chinese,
and intimates that the Powers chiefly to
blame for the plight in which China finds her
self to-day.
The 9th Infantry from Manila, landed on July
10, and were at once sent on to Tien-Tsin, where
the allies were continually obliged to fight in
order to hold the city from the Boxers, who
regularly besieged the city frequent intervals.
The expected happened, but all the civilized
world was Mortified when July 13, q report
came from Chinese official sources at Shanghai
that all the foreigners in Peking except two
were rnassacred by the Chinese forces under
Prince Tuan on July 6. 1t was also reported
that Prince Ching at the last moment went to
the assistance of the foreigners at the head OF
q body Of Imperial Chinese troops, but his force
was overcome by the Boxers, and the Prince was
killed This dreadful announcement lacked con-
flrmation for several days but in most dlplo-
rnatiol lcircles the last hope was abandoned from
the hour OF its publication.