The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-07-11
ALMOST HOPELESS TASK
To Relieve Pekin with Present
Force Would be Fatal.
DESPERATE SITUATION.
1t Won1d Also Involve the S1au ghter
OF Civilians Left at
Tien Tsin.

so contradictory 9n most points, it con-
tlnues unanimous as to the consumma-
ton o. the tragedy at Pekin.
To consistent reports of the massacre
Of the whites are now added the addi-
tlonal horrors that savage soldiery at the
capital have butchered 5000 natives,
Roman Catholic converts. This comes
In Shanghai dispatch Of July 5, which
only adds to the reports given by respect
able Chinese who have arrived from
Chan Flu and who describe Pekin as an
inferno. the streets literally running with
blood. They confirm numerous stories Of
executions and untold fortunes Of the iso-
lated foreigners. Some European sol
diers were captured by mob Yung Lu,
who advocated moderation, was killed by
Tuan Tang vi and Tang Fuh Sian, who
issued fresh edicts ordering the merciless
determination of all foreigners in the en-
pire.
Tien Tsin, June 20, via Chefoo, July 1,
and Shanghai, July 5.-Those best in
formed in Tien Tsin consider the position
of foreigners in Pekin as almost hope
less. 1t is hopeless to attempt to force
the way with the force available. Com
manders are willing to resort to desper-
ate means, but to attempt a forced
march from Tien Isin with the forces at
hand means certain destruction to the
army. besides slaughter of the civilians
left at Tien Tsin. Enough soldiers are
necessary to defeat the Chinese army,
maintain communication with the base
OF supplies, and guard the hospitals en-
route.
River Wells Poisoned.
The water supply is an important prob
lem, the country furnishing none except
he river. the wells having been poisoned
Inc Chinese are committing terrible
atrocities upon the wounded. They are
their hands. Gen. Tung Fuh Slang with
10000 of the bestdisciplined troops in
the Chinese army, Mohammedans, are
marching from the southwest towards
Pekin. The army thereabouts numbers
10000. The Empress fed to her summer
palace. The MOhammedans and Boxers
are fighting in Pekin.
Pii1agiug the Country.
The regiments of Gen Nieh's command
north Of lien Tsin are reported to have
deserted and gone to pillaging the coun-
try. Residents declare that a Chinese
commune has been lnaugurated and that
peaceable Chinese are the greatest suf-
ferers. The foreign soldiers are burn
ing the outskirts Of Iien Tsin to deprive
ers are destroying outlying villages for
loot. The smoke of hundred fires can
be seen in every direction.
lien TSin was not bombarded today
for the first time in a fortnight. Fami-
lies are returning to their homes within
will be sent to Taku as soon as the travel
is safe: No unfriendly Cinnamon are
visible in the streets few of the rich
est with their families are huddled in the
outhouses for protection. badly fright
ened. Others concealed in various
he, r.l,o04 IL
street.
Thousands of Chinese Dead.
The Chinese dead about Tien Tsin
have been killed lie unburied in the
fields. The river Taku is full of floating
bodies and many have seen washed up
by the tide. Dogs are feeding ON these
bodies along the banks.
The small American contingents every
where distinguished themselves. Capt.
McCalla and Maj. Waller are most pop
ular at Tien Tsin. Their men are placed
in the lead of every movement.
By common consent the British are
close behind them. The foreigners in
Tien Tsin declare, however, that they
owe their lives to the Russians without
whom the other small detachments must
have been overwhelmed. On that dark
est day, Wednesday week, when the
Chinese were pressing on every side
and the bravest men were abandoning
hope, the Russian commander, Col. Wo-
Jack, arranged that the main body
of the The TROOPS should make Tau s0 4n
400 Russians to defend the city and
engaged the attention of the Chinese,
the intention being for them TO ultimate
ly sacrifice themselves. The arrival of
the Americans saved the day. Their ar
rival proved a complete surprise.
Enormous Mi1itafy Stores.
Among the military eeidences of i'm
mense Chinese militasy preparation for
war may be mentioned that arsenals and
covered with $10,000000 worth of arms
and ammunition of the most modern
type. These arms and ammunition have
been destroyed and in three arsenals. out
side Of Tien Tsin several thousand troops
under Gen. Mich are holding the native
city FIVE miles north of Tien Tsin. 1t is
rumored that 10000 Chinese will attack
the place at noon today. The troops un-
der arms failed to materialize. Admiral
Seymour was wounded slightly recently
by spent ball, which struck him in the
shoulder while in the house with Com
mander McCalla and Commander Taus-
sig. The hero of Tien Tsin is James
best rider in China, who, with three Cos
sacks, ran the gauntlet to Taku with
messages for achievements, charging
through villages under fire repeatedly.
Several foreign commanders have recon-
mended the quartette to be decorated
Insurrection Extending.
Washington, D. c., July Ga dispatch
has been received at the state depart
ment from Consul General Goodnow at
Shanghai, dated July 5, in which he saws
that the situation is serious and the in
surrectionary movement is extending If
the allied forces in the north, he says,
should meet with reverses the disturb
ance certainly will extend to central and
to south China, resulting in the expulsion
and murder of foreigners in the interior
and the ruin of the trade A strong
force, he says, is necessary to check the
yiceroys.