The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-29
RELIEF COLUMN TO ATTACK CHINESE
THERE SUNDAY NIGHT
CONFLICTING PEKIN RUMORS
Reported Capture OF Seymour and De-
Legation Under Escort of Chinese
Troops - Ministers Reported safe.
Rumors of Heavy Loss of Russians ut
lien Tsfn-More Foreign Troops
anded at Taku-Chinese Preparing
to Attack Tong Ku.

Washington, June 23.-The chief de-
velopment today in the Chinese situa-
ton was the effort of the Chinese min
lister, WI Ting Fang, 10 secure an ar
mistice in the operation of American
troops until Ii Hung Chang could
reach Pekin and bring about a cessa-
ton of the disorder. The proposition is
rather a novel one, and is based upon
the representations Of the yiceroys of
the important provinces of the Yang
Use kiang valley nat they can main
tain order without the aid Of foreign
troops, and tina the presence of the
foreigners would act merely as an in
centive TO disorder.
Minister WI brought these repre-
sensations TO the attention of Secretary
Hay who consulted h president. The
llatter's decision, as subsequently con-
veyed to the minister, was hat while
the assurance of the viceroy for con-
tinued quiet was fully appreciated, the
United States could not bind itself not
to send its forces to points where dis
order actually existed n where the,
safety of our officials and citizens was
Ia
the absence of a state of war, this
was not a proposition of ar1nistice,
but high government officials said it
amounted practically to an offer of ar
miStice and the refusal on the part of
the United States to make the
ment.
NO NEWS OF TEN TSIN RELIEF.
Secretary Long said at 4 o'clock p.
m. when he left the navy department
Ifnr tho dow fhof rnfh;~~ bod ao~~a
from Admiral Kempff on the casual
ties of the first engagement of the
american marines with the Chinese or
the outcome of the second engagement
which was to have occurred yesterday
or Saturday. The only dispatch receiv-
by the secretary was a belated one
from Kempff, asking for instructions
as to whether he should cooperate
with the other naval forces in taking
the Taku forts. This must have been
sent some days ago., as the Taku forts
were taken the middle of last week.
Under the circumstances, there was
no occasion for answering the admir-
ais request, AS he already had been
advised of the general purpose of this
government to act cOncurrently with
the other powers in the protection of
American interests.
NO NEWS FROM CONGER.
The state department remained
throughout day without information
from Minister COnger or any other
source, the only dispatch received
being from Consul John Goodnow, at
Shanghai, saying he had heard moth
ing from Peki since the 14th instant.
On the whole, the day was n of anx-
iety and a lack of definite information
on the main points.
F~OREIGERS IN PEKIN SAFE.
Paris, June 25., 11:25 a. m.-The
French consul general at Shanghai,
t~elegraphing yesterday, reported nat
the Chinese minister of railroads and
~telegraphS has informed him that all
foreign ministers and foreigners at Pc
kin were safe last Tuesday, June 10Th
and were preparing to leave with the
authority of the Chinese government.
REINFORCEMENT SENT TO CHINA
Paris, June 25.-An official dispatch
received here from Saigon, the capital
lof French Cochin China says the
French armored cruiser Vauban and
the transport Caravane nave sailed
north with 500 marines and a battery
of artillery.
Southampton, June 25.-The United
States Cruiser Albany, which arrived
here June 14th, will sail June 26th, the
work on her having been accelerated.
She will meet the United States steam
er Scandal, at Gibraltar n will trans
fer stores from her. 1t is said that the
Albany's officers would not be surpris-
ed if the crew should proceed from
lGfbraItar for China.
London, 25.-In the house of COM
mons today, referring to the failure Of
the American and Russian forces to
reach Tien Tsin June 21st, parlia-
mentary secretary OF the foreign
office, William st. John Broderick,
said that sine then British troops
c-4- II~-- K0-o nod orrirra1 OF TNo LII
and it was believed that 5000 japanese,
4 1000 German and 1000 French troops
had also arrived there. But he AIDED,
the government had no information re-
garding the latter operations.
NO CHANCE TO AID SEYMOUR.
London, June 25.-The admiralty has
received the following dispatch from
Rear Admiral Bruce dated Taku, via
Che Foe June Oath:
1.-The total force which left Tien with
the commander-in-chief for Pekin was
about 1000 composed of detachments
from the allied ships. No action could
possibly be taken to relieve the COM
Misunderstanding because it was only
known that he was cut off by Tien
lTsin being invested.
"Tien Tsin has been fighting for its
life ever sicne. 1t was on receipt or
information that the Chinese army had
ordered trains for attacking Tien Tsin,
that they were ~ravaging Tong Ku and
reinforcing Taku as well as mining
the mouth of the Pei Ho that it was
promptly determined to seize Taku.
Since then every effort has been made
Ito relieve Tien Tsin.
81 have Communicated a small coast
ing steamer for taking troops and
sick and wounded across the bay to
wei Hal where I intend making a tenn
iporary base hospital and asylum for
refugees.
AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN TROOPS
RELIEVED.
London, June &C., 1886 a. m.-The
british cruiser Terrible has arrived at
lChe Foo from TAX with the latest
news which is as follows:
Eight hundred Sikhas, and 200 Welcn
Ifusiliers ave effected a junction with
the American, German n RUSSIAN
forces which had beer cut off by the
IChinese about nine miles from Tlen
lTsin. 1t has been proposed to deliver
an assault upon the Chinese forces
lat Tien Tsin last night ~(Sunday.) 1t
is not clear what forces united. 1t
would seem that one relieving force,
Icut off, had been relieved by another.
- 49, MA - ,- anr$oin