The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-06
SITUATION Ar ITEM rs1N.
Chinese Are Killing, Burning and
Looting on Every Hand.

Copyright, 1900, by Associated Press. }
Tien Tsin, June 20, via Che Foo, July
1, and Shanghai, July 5.-Those best in
formed in Tien Tsin consider the Do
sition of the foreigners in Pekin as al
most hopeless 1t is hopeless to attempt
to force the way with the force avail
able. Commanders are willing to re-
sort to desperate means, but to attempt
forced march from Tien Tsin with the
FORCES at hand means certain deStruc-
ton to the army besides slaughter of
the civilians left at Tien .Tsin. Enough
soldiers are necessary to defeat the Chi
nese army, maintain communication
with the base of supplies and guard the
hospitals en- route.
The water supply is an important
problem in a country furnishing none
except river wells which are being
poisoned. The Chinese are committing
terrible atrocities upon the wounded.
They are mutilating all the dead which
fall into their hands. General Tung
Fun Slang with 10000 of the best dis
cfplined troops in the Chinese army,
Mahomedans, is marching from the
southwest towards Pexin. The army
whereabouts numbers so, 000 The en-
press fed to her summer palace. The
Mahomedan boxers are fighting in Pc
kin Ten regiments of General Nieh'S
command north Of Tien TSin are re-
ported to have deserted and gone to pill
lage in the country. Residents declare
that the Chinese commune was inaugu-
rated by peaceable Chinese who have
been the greatest sufferers from the
foreign soldiers, who are burning the
outskirts of Tien Tsin to deprive the
enemy of shelter. The boxers are de-
stroying outlying villages for loot.
The smoke of hundred fires can be
seen in every direction.
Tien Tsin was not bombarded today
for the first time in a fortnight Fam
lilies are returning to their homes with
in the concessions. Women and chill
dren will be sent to Taku as soon as
the travel is safe. No unfriendly Chi
namen are visible in the streets. A few
of the richest with their families are
huddled in the outhouses for protec-
ton, badly frightened. Others con-
cealed in various houses shoot at the
Europeans on the street. The Chinese
sands. Most of those who have been
killed lie unburied in the fields The
river to Taku is full of floating bodies
and many have been washed up by the
tide. Dogs are feeding on these bodies
along the banks. The small American
contingents everywhere distinguished
itself Captain McCalla and Major
Waller are popular at Tien Tsin. Their
men are placed in the lead of every
movement. By common consent the
British are close beside them. The for
eignerS in Tien Tsin declare, however,
that they owe their livs to the Russians
without whom the other small detach-
mentS must have been overwhelmed on
that darkest Wednesday when the Chi
nese were pressing on every side and
the bravest men were abandoning hope.
The Russian commander Colonel Wo-
Jack, arranged the main body with the
civilians to make a sortie in the direc-
ton of Taku. He left 400 Russians to
defend the city and engaged the at
tention of the Chinese, the intention be-
ing for them to ultimately sacrifice
themselves. The arrival of the Ameri-
cans saved the day. Their arrival
proved a complete surprise.
Among the evidences of immense Chi
nese military preparation for one may
be mentioned that arsenals and stores
hitherto unknown have been discovered
with ten million dollars worth of arms
and ammunition of the most modern
type. These arms and ammunition have
been destroyed in three arsenals outside
of Tien Tsin. Several thousand troops
under General Mich are holding the ma
tive city five miles north of Tien Tsin.
1t is rumored that 40, 900 Chinese will at