The age-herald., 1900-07-05
Between Tien Tsin and Pekin
 Block the Way.
INCEssANT FIGHTING IS KEPT UP
The Chinese in Overwhelming Numbers and Are Using Far More Numer- ous Artillery Than the
 Allied Forces

London, July 5.-(5:20 a. m.)-The coma manders of the allies in Tien Tsin inform the correspondents that it would be sui- cidal to attempt to reach Pekin with the troops now available in the face of the CO., lossal force of imperial troops and Boxers occupying the country between Tien Tsin and Pekin. So far from taking the offen- sive, the 120OO international troops at Tien Tsin, and the 5000 others at Taku and in- termediate points can barely keep up com- cessantly with overwhelming numbers. and using far more numerous artillery than the allies.
 The correspondent of the Express at Che Foo, telegraphing Wednesday, says: Admiral Seymour was wounded while sit. ting in a house at Tien Tsin by Chinese sharp shooters. Official news received at Che Foo shows that the Chinese have been guilty of horrible cruelty toward the wounded and captured, subjecting them to what is known as Ling Che, or the slicing process. Under this hideous rite the bodies of the fallen have been mutilated. The Russians are retailing by wholesale shooting of natives
 Revolting stories are told of barbarities practical upon Japanese and European prisoners, captured on their way to Pekin, though it was not known before that Ad- mral Seymour lost any prisoners.
 The Chinese troops marching towards the Chinese cities left behind them trails of rapine fire and blood. Native women were ravished and children were cut in two. Di- rect tidings from Pekin and with the dis patch sent by Sir Robert Hart June 25.
 According to round about reports, 1t is asserted by the Chinese that Prince Yuan Is personally directing the assault upon the legations. He conferred honors and gave large sums of money and other presents to the leaders of Boxers and the command! CTS of ships who drove back Admjral Sey- i mour. An edict of Prince Tuan's orders the southern Viceroys to assemble the vessels of the Chinese fleet and to attack the war ships at Shanghai.
 Japan is reported to be landing an army at Pee Taughs, TO the northward of Taku. The Japanese generals are believed to be about to move to Pekin, following the plan previously framed. Europeans and Amer lean residents In Shanghai arc quite in panic over what Is viewed as the fnadeA
 
 A dispatch to the Express from Shanghai says that according to the best military estimates, 5OO00O men will be necessary to subjugate northern China, and even then it will take two or three years The forces of the Chinese Empire have gathered such motion that even Japan's full strength, launched now, will be unequal to the task of restoring order. Tao Tai Sheng, of Dahnghai, issued proclamation on Wednesday which practically forbids for oi, oo,ir hn Var Kiang, saying that if they do the Chinese authorities will not hold themselves respon- sible for consequences, is considered that the Chinese officials preparing way to evade responsibility If an outbreak occurs. Even Ii Hung Chang is suspected
 Foreigners Aghast
 The foreigners are simply aghast at the extent of tht Chinese armaments, which they have been systematically accumulat- ing.
 The decision of the Admirals not to att tempt to relieve the beseged forces has !. filled the entire European community, the Daily Mails Shanghai correspondent says, with bitterness and despair. Few. however, affirm that any other course is possible. The weakness of the allied forces left no other course open. It is pointed out that the Chinese, opposing Admiral Seymour were only a fraction of the huge force cut ting off the capital from Ten Tsin and which numbers 100000, nearly all well arm- ed. The allies have no real means of trans port, and there Is no food in the country as it is being laid waste The question of ammunition is also serious one. Only Japan and, to a lesser extent, Russia are able to supply war material of the vast quantities that are necessary. Though transports will soon arrive at Taku, the present pressure Is not removed. The con- sensus of opinion among military and naval authorities Is that 1t will require at least h0 000 the EurODeanS in Pekin.