The evening times., 1900-06-18

LONDON, June 1S.-The allied fleets at
Taau have demolished the Chinese forts
and the Asiatics at that point have sur
rendered. The news comes from Chefoo,
via Shanghai and is dated June is, 12:S0
p. m. The Taku forts are now in the
hands of the European naval forces.
The situation of hostility at Taku had
reached such a stage that the naval repre-
sentatives of foreign nations despatched
an ultimatum to the Chinese commander
of the forts The reply came in the shape
Of several shots which were deliberately
fired at the foreign warshps.
The fleets Immediately replied and the
Chinese guns were soon silenced. The Chi
nese commander then surrendered. Al
though the date of the engagement is not
given in the Chefoo despatch, it is believed
that it occurred on Sunday
After the native troops manning the folts
had been reduced to a state Of submission,
the commanders of the various warships in
the harbor sent detaehments from the
fleets to occupy them.
The Chinese Notifications were badly
damaged by the fire of the fleets and it is
believer that many Of the native soldiers
were killed. Affairs at Taku are now more
peaceful and there will probably be little
further opposition around Taku.
The news Of the demolition of the forts
was brought to Chefoo by japanese gun
boat. 1t is understood that the foreign
feet suffered no damage during the bonn
bardment.
A reEort reaches here that there has been
Z severe land engagement near Taku, and
it is believed to have taken place at the
time when the Chinese commander ordered
ships in the harbor.
Troops are still being hurried to the
scene Of trouble in China. The Seventh
Bengal Infantry has been ordered to pro-
ceed from India to Hongkong. The Japa-
nese Legation in London has received a
message stating that the Government has
sent LOCO soldiers to Tientsin.
The German Consul at Chefoo telegraphs
that a japanese torpedo boat has brought
reports that the legations in Pekin have
all been taken by the Chinese rebels.
A despatch from Rome states that the
Propaganda has received a telegram from
Atonsigror Moccagatta. saying the situa-
ton of ten bishops in China is alarming.
Twenty Roman Catholic missionaries and
eight sisters are missing.
According to a despatch to the Central
News from Shanghai Of today's date, the
Russian Minister to China. VI. de Giers,
has demanded five million taels for dam
ages to the railway.
The latest news from Tientsin is that
the marines. with supplies for Admiral
Seymour's force have been cut of seven
miles from Lang Fang, and have returned
TO Tientsin to procure re-enforcements to
enable them to cut their way through.
The statement that the Russian troops
are siding with the Empress Dowager is
reiterated in almost every message from
Chinese sources.
The last news stated that 1000 Russians
with twelve machine guns and twelve field
guns, are marching from Tientsin to Pc
kin.
The hordes around Pekin are constantly
swelled. WeIl-informed Chinese, who are
not unfriendly toward foreigners, declare
that now upward of 10000 are outside the
city gates, all armed in a more or less
crude fashion, with probably more than
10000 Chinese troops among them.
A report from Pekin. dateu June14. says:
"a serious and-foreign outbreak took
place last night. when some of the finest
buildings in the eastern part of tie city
were burned
Hundreds Of native Christians and SER
ants employed by foreigners were massa-
cred within two miles of the Imperial Pal
ace.
THE buildings destroyed in Pekin in
clude the Catholic Cathedral. the London
Missions. the Mess House of Customs. the
American Board of Missions. and three
chapels."
CHESAPEAKE BEACH-oN TIE DAY.
Daily Schedule.