Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-08-04
DUP ICITY OF CHINESE.
Government Fomented Attacks
on the Enjoys.
CONVICTED BY DR.. MORRISON.
First Real Account OF Situation In
Picking Given by London Times
Correspondent Legations Bonn
barGed By Imperial Troops.

barGed by Imperial Troops.
London, Aug. DIR. George Ernest
Morrison, Picking correspondent of the
London Times sends the following dis
patch, dated Picking, July 2l direct to
The Times:
"There has been a cessation of hostili-
ties since July II. but for fear of treach-
cry there has been no relaxation of Wig
lance. Chinese soldiers continue to
strengthen the barricades around the be-
sieged area and also the batteries on
top of the imperial city wall, but mean
time they have discontinued firing, prob
ably because they are short of ammunl-
ton. The main bodies of the imperial
soldiers have left Picking in order to meet
the relief forces
supplies are beginning to come In,
and the condition of the besieged is inn
proving. The wounded are doing well.
The hospital arrangements are admira-
BILE. One hundred and fifty eases have
passed through the hospital, none of
them septic
"The tsung-li-yamen have forwarded
to the British minister copy of a dis
patch telegraphed by the emperor to
the queen attributing all the deeds of
violence which have been committed to
bandits and requesting her majesty's as
sistance to extricate the Chinese govern
ment from its difficulties. The queens
reply is not stated, but the Chinese min
lister at Washington has telegraphed that
the United States government will glad
" assist the Chinese authorities.
This dispatch to the queen was sent to
the tsung-l i-yamen by the grand council
on July 3, yet the day before an imperial
edict had issued calling on the Boxers to
continue to render loyal and patriotic
services in eXterminating the Christians.
The edict also commanded vlceroys and
governors to. eXpel all missionaries from
China and to arrest all Christians and
compel sthem to rehounce their faith.
Other DEGREES applauding the Boxers
speak approvingly of their burning out
and staying converts Their leaders are
stated in q decree to be princes and min
listers.
"On July IS another decree made
complete volte face, due to the victories
of HE foreign troops at Tien-tsin. In
this decree. for the first time and one
month after the occurrence, an allusion
was made to the death of Baron Won
Ketteler, the German minister, which
was attributed to the action of local brig
ands although there is no doubt that it
was premeditated and that the assassina-
ton was committed by an imperial Off
Ger, as the survivor, Herr Cordes, can
testify.
Bombarded by Imperial Troops.
"The force besieging the legation con-
sists Of the imperial troops under Gen
eral Tung Lu and General Tung Fuh
Slang, whose gallantry is applauded IN
imperial DEGREES, although it had consist
ed in bombarding for one month defense
nj oh /, Iron mn in bp
legation compound, using shell, shrapnel,
round shot and expanding bullets. The
Chinese throughout, with characteristic
treachery, posted proclamatons assuring
as Of protection, and the same night they
made general attack in the hope of sur
prising us.
'There is still no news of Pei-Tang
cathedral. The wounded number 13S, in
Guiding the American surgeon Lippitt,
severely wounded, and Captain Myers,
who is doing we'll Seven Americans
have been killed.
''All the ministers and members of the
legations and their families are in good
health The general health of the com
munity is excellent and we are content
eddy awaiting relief"
After enumeratng the casualties al
q ready reported and giving the total of
L.
Morrison proceeds as follows:
"The Chinese undermined the French
legation, which is now a ruin, but the
e French minister, NJ. Pichon, was not
81 present, having fled for protection to the
y British legation on the first day of the
siege.
1.-THE greatest peril we suffered during
the siege was from fire. the Chinese in
their determination TO destroy the British
legation burning the adjoining Han-lin-
yuen National college,, one of the most
sacred buildings in China, sacrificing the
unique library.
Americans Brave sOrtie.
The following has been received at
Chefu from DR. Robert j. Coleman of the
American embassy. 1t is dated Picking.
July 81:
"Baron Won Ketteler, the German min
ister was murdered by Chinese troops
and his secretary wounded June 20 when
on his way to the tsunsli-yamen. The
foreign residents are besicged in the Brit
sh legation and have been under a daily
fire from artillery and rifles. The cow
ardice of the Chinese fortunately pre-
vented them from making successful
Il PUSHES. Our losses are 60 killed and 20
wounded. The Chinese losses exceed
1000
"There has been no word from the out
kside world. Food is plentiful, such as it
|sis--rice and horsehesh. Yesterday uu-
der flag Of truce a message was sent by
Yung Lu asking if Sir Claude Macdonald.
|Nthe British minister, would consent to a
|4truce. The minister replied he was will
|ting. provided the Chinese came no closer.
The shell firing then ceased, and every
thing is now quiet.
1--WE hope that. having defeated the
Chinese relief is nearing us, We are all
exhausted with constant standing on
guard, fighting, building barbados and
digging trenches by night and day.
"All the legations except the British