Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-07-09

But a Correspondent Finds a Flaw in the
Courfer's Dates.

But a CORES pondent Kinds q Flaw in the
Courier's Dates.
London, July 9.-The statement
made by the foreign consuls at Shang-
hal at their meeting Saturday read
with Consul Warren's dispatch to the
foreign office on the same day makes
it possible to believe that the legations
will hold out for a number OF days yet
Having fought TO a standstill the first
outburStS Of fanaticaI fury It is be-
lieved that something may intervene
to save them. The news, after the
sinister rumors of the last ten days,
is enough upon which to build up
hopes. Tien-Tsin is still hard pressed.
Chinese force numbering from So
600 to 10000 men-as estimated by
inconclusive recOnnoissances - foods
the country round about Tien-Tsin,
communication between which place
and Taku is apparently possible by
river only.
The dispatch from Warren men
toned in the foregoing was issued by
the foreign office Saturday. 1t con-
firmed from thoroughly trustworthy
sources the news received by courier
from Peking. July 3. saying that two
legations We're the day the courier left
holding out against the troops and
boxers. and that the troops had lost
. 900 men and the Boxers many lead
ers. Warren adds that the messenger
said the Chinese troops were much
disheartened by their losses and that
the Boxers claimed that their mystic
powers had been broken by the for
eigners. and that they dare not ap-
proach the legations. 1t was further
asserted that the foreigners at Pc
king ought to be able to hold out for
a long time. AZ they have sufficient
food and ammunition.
The courier mentioned in Consul
Warren's dispatch gives Il strange pic
ture. says The Daily Nails Shanghai
correspondent of how life jostles death
in Peking. Business apparently goes
on as usual. The shops and theatres
are open and the streets are full of
people. No imperial troops except those
of General Tung Fuh Slang took part
in the fighting. The courier even as
serts positively that provisions are be-
ing supplied to the legations. but by
whom he does not say. The Boxers and
General Tung Fuh Slang do not get
along well. The Boxers assert that they
do all the fighting and the latter all
the loOting ana nothing else.
The Shanghai correspondent of The
Express, telegraphing yesterday.
throws doubt upon Consul Warren's
information. He SAYS: "Taotai Sheng
now admits that there was an error in
his communication to Consul Warren.
The date of the courier's arrival at
Chinen Flu was July 3. which does not
apply TO his departure from Peking.
The journey from Peking to Chinen
FIJI occupies five davs- The cnnria-
therefore, could not have left Peking
later than June 2S.
\ Chefoo dispatch to The Express
says the Russians have landed 5000
men at Taku and the Japanese have dis
charged several transports. The Jap
aneSe pushed on to Tien-TSin, leading
in the subsequent assault upon the ma
tive city. in which their commander
was killed. Ten more transports are
engaged at japanese ports. With the
10 600 British India troops afiOat and
fresh Japanese continGents il is quite
probable that the allies will have 30.
900 men ashore.
General Kwan Shi Kai. governor OF
Shan Tung. a correspondent of The
Daily Mail AYERS. predicts that by July
II the Boxers will disband and negO-
tiationS will bc begun for peace. New
ertheleSS circumStantial rumOrS Of
dark things to come are in circulation.