The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-23

NEW YORK, Aug. PA number of let
tiers received in this city from China wer
made public today Rev. James II. Pyke
writing from Tientsin, under date Of Jun,
2S. says in part:
For ten days we have been cut of
from communication with the world
week ago last Sunday morning, at
O'Clock, the Tsku forts opened fire on for.
eign vessels in the river. The fire was re-
turned, and by daylight all the forts were
taken. At p. m. Sunday, June 10, the
fort in Tientsin opened fire ON this settle.
ment. the shells flying thick and fast ovel
our heads. For six days and nights we
had constant fighting. and the casual;ie!
among the soldiers were many. Two OF
three times it seemed doubtful whether
our troops could hold their own. The
streets were barricadei and every pre-
paration made to resist to the last
The Chinese had several large guns
which our forces could not capture or
silence, and these continued 10 shell us
during the whole time. Our house was hit
three times by shells, and our chapel three
times wesley Chapel, in our compound.
Two other buildings in the yard were
"
Many of the buildings in the settlement
were struck and more or less damaged,
and many were set on fire and burned 1t
was period of distress and suspense,
Re-enforcements were daily expected. but
did not come. There was no word from
them, nor from the force that had gone
10 relieve Pekin.
I'VE knew that all our people in Pskin
missionaries, legation people. and 400
foreign frGnTlg-Wpro in
pound and the legations, but whether
living or dead We could not tell. Ii seemed
that nothing could prevent all the fo--
eigners in North China from berg eXte-
minated. We tremble 20 hear from the
stations in the interior. We fear that the
missionaries, preachers, and members will
all be cut off. The Lord only can deliver
them. We long for news from Pekin, and
yet fear to hear.
Re-enfcrcementx Bring Hope.
Last Saturday 2,Ooo more men came in
from Taku. and we consider Tientsin
saved. though we have had fighting every
day since. Yesterday the forces under
Admiral Seymour and Captain McCalia,
sent TO relieve Pekin, returned vii bout
having been able 10 reach the capital.
They had six days hard fighting, and lost
considerably over one-tenth of their en-
tire force. Last Tuesday all foreigners
were ordered out OF Pekin within twenty
four hours.
"A special messenger got through with
a piece of paper between his shoe soIes.
Since then we have had no news. but
there is report that they have not left,
but are still in the city. To leave would
mean their utter destruction and that of
all our native Christians, including
students and schoolgirls. To remain
seems little better, as they are closely
shut in, and must suffer for want OF sup
plies There is no immediate prospect of
being able TO relieve them, as the force
here is insufficient.
The Governments THAT have troops at |
land or near, as Russia, Japan, and the |
United States in the Philippines, seem /
'ery SLOW to move them. Think of the
condition of our people, Daily threatened |
" an overwhelming force, and If over
lowered. the certainty of all being butch
red, in danger OF famine. and without
God. fuel, and water. dreading disease
lmost as much as famine and sword All
his. without prospect of relief
We here have been in the midst of bat
e for ten days: women and children ex-
osed to the shells and bullets; the set
ement surrounded with the slain. and
lie river from which We get our water
III OF dead bodies. Wonderful TO relate
OF single noncombatant has been in
ired. and. with the exception of two En-
lish missionaries, We have not heard of
single death among the entire mission
~ force This is distinctly providen-
al"
Fighting Every Day.
Another letter from Mr. Pyke. dated
uly 9. res : in part as follows:
Several DAYS have passed since 1
ave found time to write you. The fight
lg is still going on here from day to day.
-ithout much advantage to either side.
his morning small battle has been go
lg on to the west of the city The Chi
csc haze been irving to turn our left
ank- considerable force Of infantry
nd field battery went out during the
light and engaged them early this morn
IL. driving them back into the city or
eyond. On the other hand, the Chinese
lns are giving us the worst Smelling we
ave had yet.
'One of the American Board houses is
1w burning. and the Methodist New Com
ection chapel in the adjoining yard, has
lst been struck two or three times. We
re watching Gun houses, and have water
lady. II one is struck we will look after
Immediately. AS the settlement is such
large one. the Chinese gunners, without
UGH skill. cannot but hit some house
lch shot. Re-enforcements are daily
I'd hourly expected. and we hope every I
~ may be the last Of this protraeted
sht. This is the twenty second day. and
bad as any Of the preceding. only we
Z sure they cannot take the foreign set
ement But We know that we cannot
tFe peace until we have possession of the a
~ and guns. with fort or two
a Iaff ~ MI
sentative OF the Woman's Foreign Mis- c
onary Society. stationed at Tientsin hut
DIV refugee in Aoyama. Japan. encloses
tiers which she had received from Pekiu
ne OF these letters was from Miss Edna 4
Terry, N D.. who was reported muir
red by the Boxers. Miss Terry is a Meth
list missionary stationed at Tsunhua. who
ippened to be in Pekin al the outbreak
the trouble. Miss Gloyer's communica- ,
on is in part,
1T may be that at this late date you !
III be glad OF a statement of facts con-
rning some of the workers Of Nortn +
lima Conference and their recent expert
ices. {
When We were planning to go to our an {
ial conference in Pekin the news came I
the burning OF one OF the railroad sta '
lns on the route, and so we waited over '
ie day; but as there were no more dem I
we went the following dav. Our ]
riy consisted Of the Rev. ]. F. Hayner Il
Id Or. n. s. Hopkins. OF Tsunhua; the n
ey. G. W. Verify, OF Tai-an: the Rev. ]
Pyke. the Rev. w. T. Hobart. the Rev
Brown. and Mr.. V. Martin. of Tlentsin.
:. Edna G Terry and Miss NJ. Croucber II
Tsunbua; DIR. NJ. I. Stevenson and NV,
IT, OF Tientsin. Our men We're all armed
Il all was quiet as We went up the road
s
.~rr- t