Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-08-03

their families and those who had sought
refuge at the different legati ms The re-
ports come from trustworthy messengers
who left the Chinese capital at different
dates, ranging from Wednesday, July 10,
to Sunday, July % First, taking them in
the order Of their departure from Pekin,
there is the statement of the Chinese mis-
sionary student whom Missionary Wilder
sent from -Tsn about July 10 to find
out the condition Of aft airs with the foreign
ministers, and if possible, to get direct
word from them The student did not sue
coed in opening up communication with the
ministers, but he learned that they were
living, aud that on July II the Chinese
troops had ceased their attack on the lega-
tions. The informant left Pekin July Is,
on his return journey, and reached Ten
Tsn in SIX DAYS Returning, he saw no
troops for 60 miles south of Pekin, but he
learned that 20, COO men we're in the neigh
borhood Of Nautsuu aui Peit Sung.
Secondly, there is the runner whom the
japanese consul at TienTsin despatched on
July ) TO get into touch with the japanese
legation at Pekin. He left the Celestial
capital on July 10, one day later than the
Wilder student, and brought back a mes
sage TO the japanese government, written
in the diplomatic cipher. This message
said that the japanese were defending
themselves against the Chinese very well,
that the attack had stopped, and that they
would hold out to the last Of the month, but
it would be no easy task
Third in order of date comes a letter
from Herr Bulow, the German secretary
of legation in Pekin, who wrote on July 81
that the attack Of the Chinese troops had
ceased on the 10th, but that the speediest
possible advance Of relief troops was ur-
gently necessary. The series closes with a
second despatch from the japanese lega-
ton in Pekin, bearing date July %. This
announced that the Chinese had shelled the
legations from June 20 to July l.. and that
they might return to the attack. The mes
sage added that several of the legations
were defended-tbe German, Russian
American and British in their entirety and
the japanese and French to half of their
extent-and that the Japanese had food
for six days, but little ammunition
Fourth came despatch from Rear Ad-
miral Bruce at Tien-rsin, who forwarded
the folio wing which he had received from
Minister Mcdonald at Pekin: British lega-
ton, Pekin, June 20 TO July 10, repeatedly
attacked by Chinese troops on all sides
Both rifle and artillery fire. Since July lG
an armistice, but Gordon is strictly drawn
on both sides of the position. Chinese bar
ricade close to ours All women and chill
dren in the British legation. Casualties to
date 81 killed, including Capt. Stroud. A
number Of wounded in hospital, including
Capt. Halliday. Rest of legation all well,
except David Oliphant and Warren, killed
July 81.
Sir Claude MacDonald's welcome des-
patch, received in cipher, is accepted on
all sides in London dispelling any doubts
that might still have existed regarding the
genuinenes' of the dispatches. Owing to
an error in Transmission, the message fails
to shoW the number of wounded. David
Ohphant and Warren were two student in
terpreters. The message fails 10 mention
the other legations and other matters of
pressing Importance to know, but 1t should
be borne in mind that the British IN mister
may not be aware that all his previous des-
patches have been suppressed.
The secretary Of state at Washington
received at midnight sunday night a des-
patch from Mr.. Fowler, American consul
at Cheefoo dated noon. Sunday. Mr..
Fowler says; s. letter from the German le-
CATION dated 2lst inst. received al Ten
isin. German loss is 10 dead and -
wounded. Chinese ceased their attack ON
the l2th, Baron Won kettler's body said
to be safe. the Austrian, Italian, Dutch
and Spanish legation destroyed. and the
French partly A letter from the Japan.
ese legation dated PA arrived at Ten rsn
on 25th. Ten battallons of Chinese shelled
the legations consecutiyely from the goth
of June and stopped on the eth of July,
but may renew. The enemy are decreas-
ing. The German Russian, American,
British and half the japanese and French
legations still defended. japanese say
they have food for six days, but little am
munition. The emperor and empress are
reported at Pekin.
Military men in Washington are amazed
at the statement that the legations success
fully resisted nearly a months incessant
Smelling by 10 battalions of Chinese. That
any trace of a brick building should re-
main after such bombardment is utterly !
inconceivable by them.
The associated Press sends a story from
Tien-Tsin that the Chinese attacked the
legations on the night of July 10, but were
led into trap by the Americans and Brit
ish and 1000 of them were killed. After
ward they continued bombarding the lega-
tions more freely. Among the Chinese
killed was Gen. Ma. The legations were
subsequently attacked with constantly in
creasing fury.
Chinese advices by special cables to Lon
don state that Ii Hung Chang is much |
gratified by the attitude taken by the Unit |
ed States. He is reported as asserting
that the ministers are safe, but strongly !
tavors holding them as hostages to secure |
favorable terms of peace settlements with |
the Powers, and this is in line with an inn |
perlal edict advocating peace, while the |
ENJOYS are held prisoners at Pekin.