The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1900-07-20
LEGATloNERs' TERRIBLE FATE.
Details of the Slaughter of the For
eigners In Picking.

Details of the Slaughter of the For
eigners In Picking.
LONDON, July 16.-It seems impossi-
BILE to entertain any longer the least
doubt as to the fate of the Europeans in
Picking. 1t is learned that Lady Hart
wife of Sir Robert Hart, director of Chi
nese imperial maritime customs, on July
5 received the following telegram from
her husband:
"Our people, including the women, are
in the legations. Prepare to hear the
worst"
The Shanghai correspondent of The
Daily Mail says:
Il can assert positively that the Chi
nese authorities had the dreadful news
from Picking a week ago and that Sheng
knew that all the foreigners in Picking
were dead when he asked the American
consul to cable to Washington a propo-
sal to deliver the foreigners in safety at
. Tien-tsin on condition that the allies
would suspend their operations to the
north of Picking"
The correspondent then gives details Of
the events at Picking after June %. The
members of the legations made daily
sorties, sometimes by night, and so sue
cessfully as to compel the Chinese to re-
treat from the immediate vicinity.
These reverses had disheartening eff
feet upon the Chinese, and there soon be-
gan to be open signs of disaffection, fol-
lowed by assertions to Prince Ching's ar
my, which was endeavoring to cooperate
with the besieged. Ultimately Prince
Tuan decided to make night attack in
three powerful columns.
''At 6 o'clock ON the evening of July
g." says the correspondent, fire was
opened with artillery upon the British le-
cation, where the foreigners were con-
centrated. For two hours the walls were
battered with shot and shell, and huge
breaches were made in them. Then
general advance was ordered, and the
Chinese infantry, volleying constantly,
moved toward the gaps. The fire of the
defenders, however, was so accurate and
steady that hordes of Chinese soldiers
and Boxers broke and fed in the widest
confusion, leaving large numbers of dead
and wounded around the legation. They
could not be rallied until they were out
of the rife range of the foreigners.
"Then Prince Tuan, making a desper-
ate appeal, induced them TO stand and re-
turn to the attack. Artillery fire was
then resumed, and at the middle watch
a second attack was attempted. But be-
fore the attackers could accomplish their
object they were met by Prince Ching
and General Wang Wen hao with their
troops, who were going to the aid of the
foreigners. A desperate battle ensued be-
tween the various forces of Chinese and
Mantchoos.
Unfortunately, many of Prince
Ching's troops deserted to Prince Tuan.
Prince Ching fell and was supposed to
have been killed, but as the search for
his body was unsuccessful it is now be-
lieved that he was only wounded and.
was carried off and secreted by his faith
full retainers.
General Wang Wen Shao, although
gray haired and 20 years old, valiantly
led his troops in person. He was killed,
and his force, which was completely out
numbered, was routed.
Throughout the night repeated attacks
were made on the legation, but these
were invariably repulsed with. heavy
losses. Toward the end of the third
watch, about a. m, the allies had prac-
tically defeated the besiegers, who were
wavering and gradually Withdrawing
But just then General Tung Fuh
Slang arrived from the vicinity of Tien.