New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-25
THE PLIGHT OF ITEM T,SIN.
FOREIGN SETTLEMENT ALMOST EN-
TIRELY DESTROYED.
lCopyright: 1900: BY The New-York Tribune.I
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

copyright; 1900: BY The New-York TribuneI
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London. June %. A. m.-The British Ad-
Iniralty, being enmeshed with red tape, does not
give out dispatches as promptly the Navy
Department at Washington, but it has con-
frrned the previous accounts of the repulse of
the relief column which attempted to enter Tien-
Tsin on Friday The bulletin is short and de-
pressing. The foreign settlement at Tien-Tsin
was almost entirely destroyed and the Euro
peans We're fighting hard.
There is nothing about a relief column or
Russians and Americans being cut to pieces. but
the repuIse is described as attended with some
loss Only one runner had entered Taku from
Tien-Tsin in five days, and not a word had been
received from the relief columns which started
for Picking two weeks ago. nor from the lega-
tions themselves
DEFENCE OF TIEN-TSIN.
The foreign relief force may be described as
a chain consisting mainly Of missing links.
There is a mixed force Of between two thousand
and three thousand at Taku, including a
portion Of a Chinese regiment from Wei-Hai-
Wei. This column, with the Russian and Amer
ican contingent Of over five hundred men, must
cut its way through d superior Chinese force
which is said to have sixty guns, although this
seems incredible. The foreigners at Tien-Tsin
are clearly in a desperate state, with the gar
rison surrounded by a Chinese horde and with
ammunition and supplies running short,
Somewhere beyond Tien-Tsin. either the
way TO Picking or at that city, is mixed force
Of 300 men, with Inadequate supplies, ammuni-
ton and food. At the legations are probably
from one hundred and fifty to two hundred
Europeans japanese and Americans, refugees
being added to the working official force and
the military and naval guards number about
four hundred and fifty
Every link in this chain Of relief is weak and
detached, ard there is no accurate information
from any station except Taku.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY.
Men who have lived in China assert that the
number Of foreigners at Tien-Tsin is large,
since the city has a Chinese population OF over
a million and q commerce Of over S43.VOo.O0o.
Tien-Tsn is the chief distributing centre for
trade in Northern China and Manchuria. and
is the natural outlet for a half dozen of the
most popuous provinces. There are four for
elgn banks, a large body OF English German,
russian. japanese and American merchants and
several groups Of missionary stations
The situation Of the foreigners at Tien-Tsin
Is regarded by former British officials in China
as oeplorab.e. and doubts are expressed respect
ing the adequacy of the relief force which is
available at Taku unless Russia takes decisive
measures. indicated last night in official com
munications from the Foreign Office at st.
petersburg for the invasion OF Chinese territory
Dy really formidable army. The European
ana American fleets may be working har-
iHoAiousiy under the leadership OF the senior
rear admiral Taku but the suppression OF
anarchy IN China now requires the presence Of
larger army than any great Power except
Russia can put into the field without delay.
J. N. +.
NEW &c FOTrB ,rpn1,r ro CETCAGO VIA