The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-07-24

Niuchwang. They are hurrying to the
relief. of other Russian forces penned in
by the Chinese. They were despatched
from Port Arthur. An army Of 10000 reg
ular Chinese troops now block their way.
The Chinese are well armed and drilled
and are a Formidable force.
The Chinese commander refuses to per-
NIT the Russians to proceed and a battle
is imminent
The Chinese are acting purely on the de-
fensive, apparently wishing to place the
responsibility for the fighting that will en-
sue on the Russians.
The statement that Russian forces are
penned in by the Chinese causes a deal OF
interesting speculation. inasmuch as the
point or points where they are beleag-
uered are not mentioned in the Shanghai
despatch. By many it is believe that the
besteged soldiers OF the Gar are forces
sent several weeks ago for she relief Of
Pekin and that they were cut OF by over
whelming numbers Of Chinese before they
mads any considerable progress toward
the capital
II the Celestials persist in blocking the
rescue expedition in the vicinity Of Niu-
! chwang. there viii undoubtedly be a pitch
ed battle, with poor prospects for the Rus
SLAMS. inasmuch as they are overwheIm-
ingly outnumbered-
Delayed TeIeErams Received.
4 despatch from Paris. under today's
date. says that four tsier-ans dated the
18Th, 18th, 18th, and 18th July. from the
| French Consul at Tientsin. and sent by way
Of Chefoo on July IS and %. arrived at
the Foreign Office at intervals Of q few
hours today.
In the one dated the 18Th the eonsuls
says that a courier who arrived from PelzIn
! states that the ministers have been be-
sieged in the British Legation since June
%. The Legation had been vigorously de-
Tended by the detachmenJs Of marines
which had lost sixteen killed and seven
teen wounded. When the courier left Pc
kin. the situation of the ministers was
grave
The despatch of the 18th announces the
capture Of the native city OF Tientsin by
the international forces after a vigorous
defence by the Chinese. The French and
Japanese troops forced the gateway and
seized the native town. at the same time
hoisting the national coIors- The Russians
meanwhile captured the fort in the eastern
| part of the native city.
The despatch of the 18th states that the
city is quiet ana is recovering its normal
| appearance where il has not been burned
A messenger had been despatched to Pekin
and his return was expected in a week
The despatch of the 18th says that the
various commanders are deliberating on
plans for the government and administra-
tion of Tientsin. The consul adds that he
has received no dispatches from Paris
since June 20.
A despatch from Chefoo of date of July
20 says the anti-Christian movement is
spreading. The Chinese officials are said
to be threatening the natives with death
j unless they renounce the Christian IeIi-
gion. 1t is said that the Governor. who
is very tricky individual. is secretly en-
couraging this persecution.
Lack of Unity i'm Tfentsin.
A despatch from Tientsin. dated July 20.
says the foreign commanders have been
unable to agree on the appointment of a
governor, and have instituted a three
headed government by the English, Jap
anese, and Russians. Considerable fric-
tion is likely to result from this lack of
unity in the control of affairs. II is also
said that the japanese are actively en-
ployed in spreading their IDEAS among the
natives. They are distributing japanese
flags among the residents OF the town and
are telling them to have no fear; that there
viii be no ulterior results while Japan is
protecting them.
Although the air is full Of rumors and
alleged reliable statements concerning the
safety of the diplomats at Pekin and their
proposed trip to Tientsin under Chinese
escort. they are given no credence what
ever, either in circles official or those un-
official. The almost transparent men
dacity of the Chinese has disgusted all
Europe. In some of the capitals there
is slight tendency to hope that some of
the ministers may have been saved from
Celestial brutality, but the hope has no
tangible basis. The confusing stories of
the Chinese continue to arrive with fire.
quency, and in all but the most cheerfully
optimistic quarters excite only contempt.
Mr.. Brodrick's announcement in the House
Of Commons yesterday expressed the opin-
ion throughout England The people, Of
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