The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-25
FROM CONCER.
Commander Thomas, of the
Brooklyn, Sends a Letter
From Z. s. Minister at Pekin
Dated July 4.
RELIEF MUST BE SOON,
If at All, Is What the Message
Said.
Gen. Chaffee Arrives at Naga-
saki, Japan.
Admiral Kempff's Report on the
Fight at Taku.
Ii HUNG CHANG STOPS.
Will Conduct Negotiations From
Shanghai.
RumOred That He Is Being De-
tanned by the Powers.
Ii HUNG CHANG STOPS.
Will Conduct Negotiations From
Shanghai.
RumOred That He Is Being De-
tanned by the Powers.

Washington, July 25.-The following
cablegram has been received at the
navy department.:
Che Foo, July 24.-Navigation bureau,
Washington. Written message, signed
COnger, dated July 4, received Ilen
Tsin 21st says. Been besieged two
weeks British legation Grave danger
general massacre by Chinese sOidlerS.
who are shelling legation daily ReheI
soon. if at ALL City without govern
ment except by Chinese army Deter
mined massacre all foreigners Pekin.
Entry relief forces into city probably
be hOtly contested IHOMAS-
The message comes from Captain
Charles NJ. Thomas, commander of the
Brooklyn.
CHAFFEE REACHES NAGASAKI-
Washington. July 25.-Adjutant Cen
eral Corbin received u cable dispatch
today from General Chaffee, announc-
ing his arrival on the transport Grant
at Nagasaki. He cables all well. As
soon as the Grant is coaled she will
proceed at once to Taku- General Chat
fee on his arrival receivd the cable dis
patch announcing his appointment as
major general of volunteers.
THE SITUATION AT TIEN TSIN.
Copyright, 1900. the Associated Press.)
Tien Tsin July IS. via Shanghai July
ment. Colonel Wogack. of the Russians
and Colonel AolNi. Of the japanese, will
form the joint provisional government
for the city of Tien Tsin. which it was
recently decided to establish. They will
be entrusted with the task of bringing
something like order out of the exist
ing chaos
! Since the issue of the proclamation
inviting well disposed Chinese to re
turn to their homes a number have
come back to the city and many native
servants are coming to the settlements,
majority OF them returning to the
service of their previous employers
The native city this afternoon pre-
sents an appalling spectacle of ruin and
desolation The suburbs were COM
pletely destroyed by fire, mostly caused
by the shells Of the allies on the side
facing the settlements 1t is believed
that not a dozen houses are intact and
all We're a little damaged by the tre-
mendous fire of the allies artillery.
which. however, was apparently not
heavy enough to produce much effect.
A curious spectacle is presented by a
number Of mud novels Immediately un-
derneath the wall where the latter was
most damaged, hardly one of them
showing signs of having been hit.
Inside the city the damage was ter
rifle The buildings nearest the wall
We're mostly burnt out and many We're
totally blown to pieces by the shells of
the allies. Among the smouldering
ruins are many charred corpses. which
L
lies are busy removing the bodies but
in consequence of the great number of
dead many have not been buried. The
streets throughout the citV are StreVu
with all kinds of articles and dozens
of Chinese are digging in the ruins for
money and other valuables. Most of
the houses which are intact or little
damaged. display the flags of one or
the other of the allied forces. the Japa-
nese and French flags predOminating
There have been many attempts to i1ni-
tate the fiass. which under other cir
cuinStanceS would be laugha BILE The
houses which do not display flags show
bits of cotton or paper bearing the
names of the allied nations and com
pllmentary sentences The French. ap-
pafently, are the favoriteS, many of the
pieces of cotton and paper displaying
Inscriptions France" or .-Vive la
France All are Enthusiastically in the
handwriting of native clerks formerly
employed by foreign Chinese firms
1t is stated that the Chinese losses
since the troubles broke out are II 900
most of whom have been killed by box
ers and soldiers That is probably
much exaggerated
The boxers are said to be gathering
IN large numbers in the neighborhood
OF the Hskon arsenal. captured by Ad-
mlral Seymours column and now Occu-
pied by Russian troops. who have sI1f
fered several casualties through ..snin-
ers concealed in the woods in that
vicinity.
y
SENT HOME
Copyright, 1900. the Associated Press1
Tien Tsin. July 19. via Shanghai. Julv
25.-Most of the American sick and
wounded have been taken in boats to
Taku. where they will embark on the
American hospital ship Solace for the
United States.
THE Pc TANG FORTS WILL NOT
SURRENDER.
Copyright. 1900 the Associated PressO
Taku. Saturday. July 21@Chang vi
has unsuccessfully tried to arrange
with the general commanding the Pc
Tang forts for their surrender The
general refused to surrender the forts
but said that if the foreigners did not
attack him he would agree to maintain
q neutral attitude.
WAR THE ONLY REMEDY
Chicago, July 25.-A dispatch to the
Record from Moscow. saws;
Diplomatic circles in St Petersburg
attach no importance to the news that
the government desires to secure the
mediation of the United States with the
powers and that President Mckinley has
signified his Willingness under prudent
restrictions. to offer such mediation. The