Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-08-09

to the Associated Press from Tien Tsin
dated Aug. 5, via Shanghai the 7th,
is the only press message which got
thru from Tien Tsin since the battle
at Peitsang. Various Tien Tsin dis
patches of earlier date allude 20 re-
connoitering encounters with the
Chinese preparatory to a general at
tack on the Chinese positions which
are five miles long. Reconnaissance
developed that the Chinese are IN
greater strength than expected and
the allies according to news agency
dispatch, from Tien Tsin dated Aug.
2, are each day pushing nearer to the
Chinese positions.
The Russians who have been fighting
around Tasi Chow, are reported, ac-
cording to dispatch from Shanghai
dated Aug. 6, to have killed three
thousand Chinese. The Taotai CT
New Chwang has refused the Rus
sian demand to give up the forts
there. A dispatch from Hong Kong
under today,,s date, says that trade
with the West River is at stand still.
1t is now fully confirmed. that fourth
brigade of Indian troops has been Or
dered to China.
Battle Was Agreed Upon.
Washington, Aug. THE war de-
partment has received the following
cablegram from Chaffee: "Che Foo,
Aug. 7, via Tien Tsin, Aug. 3.-At a
conference today it was decided to
fight a battle Sunday with Chinese
who are entrenched east and
west thru Peitsang. The rest of the
Chinese are protected by flooded
gruond and are practically unassall-
able.
| The japanese, English and Ameri-
can forces about ten thousand strong
attacked the Chinese right, west Of
the river on the flank. The other
forces, Russian and French about
1000 strong are on opposite side be-
tween the river and the railroad. The
Chinese position is apparently strong.
IAN army of 10000 is reported be-
TWEEN Pabang and Yang Tsun, On the
crossing of the road and the Pei Ho.
Yang Tsun is the objective.
"Our forces number 1000 and a
| battery. The Conemaugh has arrived.
! The Sixth Cavalry was left at lien
Tsin for guarding the city and await
ing mounts The Ministers were safe
on the 2Sth of July"
France in Ignorance.
Paris, Aug. AT the cabinet coun-
Gil today, it was announced that the
French government has received no
adyices tending to show that an adj
vance of the allied forces on Picking
hau been decided upon.
Artillery Leaves for China.
Fort Riley, Kas., Aug. 7.-Battery
o, witt seven-inch siege guns, the
i largest in the army, and IT'S men
started for San Francisco during the
night on hurry orders from Washing
ton, to proceed to China. The guns
with new carriages just received,
J alone filled four cars. Two trains
were necessary to carry the entire
battery.
Caring for the Ministers.
Rome, Aug. Information received
here from Taku via Che Foo Aug. g.
says the commander of the
Italian cruiser Elba has seen
note from the governor OF
Shantung dated July 80, saying
the ministers and foreigners are safe
that provisions have been supplied
them, and conferences have taken
; place on the subject of measures to be
taken to protect the ministers during
their trip to Tien Tsin, where, it is
added, they are to establish their
headquarters.
Chinese Disturb Traffic.
st. Petersburg, Aug. S.-War otfic,
) kilograms received here from easter,
Siberia show that Chinese have DIES
troyed the railroad in several place
: and are interrupting the passage o
thru trains. Repairs are proceeding
E Cossacks now guard two thousan
] yersts of the frontier railroad.
Chinese on the Run.
London, Aug. S.-The British consu
at Tien Tsin under date of Aug. an
nounces that the Chinese have beer
expelled from Peitsang and they are il
e full retreat.