Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-07-17


WASHINGTON, July 16.-News of
Che battle OF Tien Tsin, as brought by
Associated Press cables direct from the
field, was conveyed to the Chinese min
lister early to-day. The minister fol-
lowed the recital with wrapt attention,
interrupting with expressions of aston
ishment and profound regret at this
startling development. He was partic-
ularly impressed with the detailed
names of the American killed and
wounded which appeared to remove
every shadow of doubt and he asked as
to the various officers and their famil-
les. The scene Of the fighting came
home wildly to the minister, as he
has lived for long time at Tien Tsin,
the close friend and associate of Ii
Hung Chang during the latter's vice
ROYALTY there, and every detail of the
engagement around the walls could be
followed by him with a personal know
ledge of the surroundings. In his
minds eye he pictured before him the
scene OF action. Here he pointed out
was the great walled city, within which
the native Chinese population lived.
Around the city
Swept the Pei River,
very sinuous, from Taku toward Pc
kin. Below the walled city, a full
hours ride by chair, lay the foreign
settlements, or concessions, or COM
pounds. At this latter point. well
away from the walls of the main city,
the foreign citizens with the allied
troops have until now been located
The news of the fight at the wall
meant, therefore that the allied forces
had advanced from their position well
down the Pei Ho and had attacked the
city itself The outcome of this move
he viewed with utmost concern. He
spoke with a good deal of freedom, but
asked to be excused from any public
declaration on the subject In the
most sympathetic terms, however, he
expressed his horror at the latest de-
velopments, declaring that no Ameri-
can home could the news
Bring Deeper Regret
than to himself.
At the other legations and embas-
sizes the same feeling of dismay pre-
vailed.
Although Minister WI will make no
public utterance The Associated Press
is able to give what is believed to be
the aspect of the situation from the
Chinese standpoint. According to this
view the move of the allied forces from
the foreign settlement down the river,
upon the native walled city was only
unfortunate, but was fraught with the
greatest danger. With the fate of the
foreign legations and ministers at Pc
kin, still in doubt, the allied forces
might we'll have turned their attention
to cutting way through to the rescue
Of their officials and citizens at the
capitol In that event it is said the
normal conditions around Tien Tsin
would have continued and the status
quo would have been sustained. But
by an assault of the walled city, the
natives within the city might natural
ly be expected to defend themselves,
believing that their homes were about
to be attacked. They have been PEN
ned up within the city, knowing moth
ing of what has occurred without, and
from the Chinese standpoint, it prob
ably will be found that it was in
defense against
An Unexplained Attack
chat the present slaughter occurred.
One of the suggestions of the day,
made in an official quarter, is that
commission be at once appointed to
proceed to China and investigate the
facts of the present situation. thus CIV
sng basis for intelligent action. AT
any other time the suggestion prob