Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-07-16
Details of the Massacre.

Shanghai, July 10, (morning, delay =
ed) After Prince Sheng, the director
OF telegraphs, had communicated the
messages confirming the massacre 10
Pekin, the town suddenly vibrated with
circumstantial details Of the tragedy
The following was CLEANED indirectly
from alleged Pekin refugees: Of all
the legations, the Americans had the
greatest proportion of women. especially
after the arrival of the American mis-
sionsries who had taken refuge there
Hence, it is known that the women's
legation was among the first destroyed.
Then the women were domiciled at the
British legation. American sailors
supposedly marines OF the Oregon,
missionaries, and civilians, generally,
composed the inner guard, the Ger
mans, Russians and Japanese doing the
outpost work at which the Germans
were especially active. Every adult
male bore arms shifting off duty in
frequently for rest and refreshment.
The women did the nursing and cook
ing, even assisting in preparing the
troops mess.
The native servants gradually disap-
peared, escaping into the Chinese city.
After the final sortie by the legation
troops, the attack by the Chinese was re-
newed with redoubled fury, the boxers
overwhelming the outer line and then
reaching the inner building. Tn,
fighting was hand to hand. The for
eigners barricaded the windows but the
boxers were able to reach a low roof
where q few sailors met them and hurl-
ed many OF them of. Some of the sail
org dropped to the groun and stood
with their backs to the wall standing of
the Chinese. In the midst Of the melee
Prince Tuan's artillery opened, sweep
ing boxers and CHRISTIANS alike. The
FIRE ceased then and final charge COM
pleted the snnlhilation Of the foreigners.
This Information does not include the
story OF the European men killing the
women and children, but it is stated
that boxers had no white captives which
so enraged them that they attacked the
fourth prince" house opposite the
legation where the native Christians had
taken refuge. These were dragged forth
and subjected to every brutality. This
and other buildings were burned. The
streets that night swarmed with boxers
smeared with blood and stained with
powder. They carried torches and
chastity trophies OF the days work.
London, July 16 The appalling
news from China Is the only topic OF
conversation 10 London today. The
full import of this world tragedy ht
stunned people. A despatch from Car =
ton, alone takes hopeful view of the
fate OF the foreigners who were in Pekin
This dispatch advises the peop.e at
home to accept with reverse the alarm
ing stories being sent from China. /.
quotes Ii Hung Chang az giving pos,
tive assurances that only few OF the
legations at Pekin have been destroyed
and that all the ministers except Baron
Won Ketteler are safe.
The Chinese stu ,tion today il
further dsrkened by the news of the
defeat OF the allied forces 10 Tientsin
on Friday last. Mean while there is no
mention OF the arrival of the Japanese
reinforcements at Tientsiu. II they
have started from Taku where mos! OF
them we're landed, on Saturday, they
are doubtless fighting their way and
meeting all the more serious opposition
because of the Chinese victory OF the
18th. There is no assurance that the
japanese will 90 through and there
prevails the keenest anxiety as to the
fate of the defenders Of Tentsin.