New-York tribune., 1900-07-18
FIRST TIEN-TSIN FIGHT.
JAPANESE COLoNEL's REPORT OF EARLY
INCIDENTS.

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEI
Victoria, B. c.. July 17.-ColoneI Schimura
who commanded the Japanese troops in Tien- -Tsn
prior to the relief of that place. has sent re-
port Of the incidents from the time of the at
tack until the retreat of the assanants which
was published before the Empress sailed. the
latter having just arrived here. 1t says in part
On the evening of June 10 the insurgents
burned five churches outside Tten-Tsin, and
showed signs of advancing to attack the railway
station. but were beaten back by the Russians.
Al a. m OF the 10Th the japanese detach-
ment from the Suma sent to guard the road
on the southern bank of the river At noon this
detachment was relieved by a Russian force
and at y. m. it again relieved the Russians
At .. m. some hundreds of Boxers. CARRYING
torches, advanced to the assault The Japanese
patrol fired several VOlleys and the Boxers fled.
throwing away their torches. Thenceforth they
approached in small parties of thirty or forty,
but made no resolUte attack
On examining the bodies Of the slain thew
were found to be young men of twenty four or
twenty-five years, clad in silk and carrying
pouches with Mauser ammunition. On the 18th
the japanese detachment from the Suma re-
mained constantly on guard at the same place.
At t a. m. some fifteen hundred Chinese wear
ing red Capes and red belts approached
branishing swords. As soon as they were in
range two three vollays were fired and they
retired hastily. From 2:45 p. m the Chinese
troops began lombard the concessions.
Many of the shells fell between British and
German concessions and lodged in the
kitchen Of the japanese Consulate
On the 18th, at 4 a m, the Chinese troops.
uniting their forces. attacked simultaneously
from the north and the south The allies met
and beat back the attack Several Chinese sharp
shooters lying behind the salt hills on the side
of the river fired across, and bullet. hitting
Captain Banz, Of the Suma, in the head, killed
him. The Russian troops crossed the river and
attacked the enemy in front, and were fol-
lowed by the English, Germans and Japanese.
The enemy's shells We're aimed at the conspicu-
Gus buildings in the concessions AS they fired
much at the Gordon Hall, near the Japanese
Consulate. many shells fell in the vicinity of the
latter, and some dropped within the inclosure
of the consulate on the 10Th the enemy's at
tack directed the left bank As before.
the shells aimed at the foreign concessions
and they succeeded in setting fire to the Specie
Bank. which was burned to the ground Shells
fell constantly in the concession.
The diary continues detailing bombardments
on June % telling Of the destruction of the
American Consulate. Losses are not given. On
June % Cossack patrol brought in news that
relief advancing; no new details given
of relief The commander says there is great
scarcity Of provisions, and unless CommuniCa-
tiOns are fully established with Taku before n
fortnight much distress will be felt. The Japan
more favorably CiTCumstanCed than the
foreigners. since stores of rice be obtained
in Tien-Tsin. But nothing else is procurable.
All the troops are in excellent health and spirits,