The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-31

In Immaculate tennis hannels. Mr.. Con-
ger, the United States minister, was equally
presentable. The assemblage of ladies was
fresh and bright in summer clothing. Only
few civilians were carrying arms.
On the other hand. the rescuers were
haggard and rough bearded. They dragged
themselves along as If ready to drop, their
khaki uniforms dripping with perspiration
and black with mud. But a second glance
showed that the rescued were pathetically
pale and thin. They looked like company
of invalids. Every part of the inclosure
testified to their tragic experiences. There
was a plot of graves, headed with wooden
crosses, including the graves of five chill
dren. The second secretary's house was the
hospital and it was filled with wounded.
French nuns ministered there at one time.
All but four men of the Japanese con-
tingent had been in the hospital, wounded
There were several caves, rooted with
timbers, heaped over with earth, which
served as bomb proofs.
SIGNIFICANT NOTICES.
The bulletin board was covered with sig
nificant notices. For instance: "As there
is likely to be severe dropping fire to-day,
women and children are forbidden to walk
about the grounds" Here is another:
lowing to the small supply of vegetables
and eggs. the market will be open only
from to 10 hereafter. All horse meat is
inspected by physician"
Mr.. Conger had the first secretary s
house. Seventy American missionaries oc-
cupied the chapel. The French contingent
had the pavilion on the lawn.
The bravery of the women was note
worthy. They became so accustomed to
fire that it was difficult to restrain them
from walking about the grounds at all
times. When proposal was made to peti-
ton the Tsung Ii Yamen for vegetables,
some said they would rather starve than
take help from that quarter. The Yamen's
food supply was farce. only sufficient for
one day. When meat was asked for the re-
ply was that this could not be furnished
because state of war existed in Peking.
The Tsung Ii Yamen placarded procla-
nation exhorting the people TO kill all for
eigners, because the latter had made wal
on China in attacking the forts at Taku
The legations were fiercely attacked from
July II to July 25. At the latter date q
nominal truce was agreed to and extended
to Aug. 8, although the Chinese repeatedly
violated il. There was considerable rife
fire from Aug. to Aug. IL and then the
Chinese mounted smoothbores. The main.
stay of the foreigners was an old gun used
by the British in 1860, which was found ir
junk shop by Mitchell, the American gun
ner. This was mounted on a Russian car
riage, found by an italian. Ammunition was
fitted to it and 1t was christened "the inter.
national gum.
The foreigners remarked that relief had
been long delayed, but they insisted that
they had never despaired of the outcome
The Chinese are said to admit that they
lest 5000 killed during the siege. The for.
eigners did not waste their ammunition
shooting only when target was in evi
dence The Chinese method on the othel
hand was a continuous heavy and indis
criminate fire. The enemy would advance
to the barricades at night, creeping up with
their arms filled with bricks, and in the
morning tns foreigners would find new
wall f.s. fleet closer. Finally the barri
| cades canal so close that talking could bt
distinctly ,ard.
During the last two nights the Chinese
CONTINUED ON FIFTH PAGE.)