St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-07-11
THE EASTERN WARS.

London, July 10-There seems to be
authority for the story that Prince
Ching, who was in command of the
Chinese regulars in Pekin when Prince
Tuan took the reins of power, has taken
the part of law and order and is using
the loyal troops to oppose the ambitions
of Prince Tuan. If this be true, then
there is chance that the foreigners
locked up in Pekin may yet be rescued,
as they are now probably safe amidst
civil war. Taken on the whole, the out
look in China is now rather more hope
full than it has been for a month past.
1t appears from the cautious state
ment given out by Tao Tai Sheng in
Shanghai that the reason the heavy
guns bearing on the legations at Pekin
were not used is that Prince Ching, who
is served by 1000 troops seized all the
artillery ammunition. Sheng likewise
intimates that Young Lu, commander
in-chief of the northern army, is as
ISOLATED with Prince Ching in opposing
Prince Tuan's ferocious designs and
dictatorial ambition. Sheng, who APP
pears to be the sole Shanghai conduit of
Pekin news, cheers the foreign consuls
by these confidential communications,
but takes excessive precautions to pre-
vent the Chinese from thinking him
friendly to the foreigners.
The feeling of unrest in the southern
and central provinces continues. The
members of the official class in those
provinces strive to remain neutral, with
leaning toward the foreigners, until
they shall see whether the moderate or
extreme factions will win in Pekin.
Prince Ching seems to be standing for
the dynasty and the old order against
Prince Tuan's inordinate ambition.
From foreign view point the capture
of Pekin is the key to the situation, as
there is a fear, says The Daily Mails
Shanghai correspondent, that delay now
means 100 recruits for the Boxers for
every soldier of the allies in the land.
However all this may be, the allies at
Tien Tsin are having an exceedingly un-
pleasant time. The last engagement of
which news has come through occurred
On July o. Inc CIluGSt OIL lilIGIy OpGlGu
ut dawn. Their fire was more accurate
and their munition better, the shells ex-
ploding with precision and setting fire
to several buildings, H. M. S. Terrible's
guns again quoted the Chinese, who,
shifting their artillery, reopened the at
tack in the afternoon, but a thunder
storm breaking, the Chinese suddenly
quit The allies Immediately attacked
and drove the Chinese from their works,
but lost so killed or wounded in so doing.
The non-combatants are leaving Tien
Tsin, and the opinion Of a minority
, favors the military leaving also.
Stories of colossal Chinese armies.
gathing continue to worry not only the
rank and file but the commanders, who
admit the uncertainty Of reconnais-
sances and the complete absence of an
effective intelligence department.
Chinese information is received with ex-
IRENE distrust.
1t is obvious that, though there are
many thousands Of Chinese camped be-
hind the guns, nothing can be done at
present except to wait the arrival of re-
Inducements. The rainy season has set
in and this makes going into the interior
most difficult. The country between
Pekin and Tien Tsin has been flooded
frequently. River transport is almost
impossible and the railway is practically
non-existent and must be entirely re-
built.
Military opinion is unanimous that if
the legations did not need relief it would
= be foolish to attempt to advance before
September.