The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-17

Chang is charged to negotiate tele-
graphically with the powers. We are
ignorant of the events occurring out
side the legations. 1t is surrounded
negotiate without the diplomatic corps
regaining its rights and the legation
ground being evacuated? II the nego-
tiations prevent the march Of the allied
troops, which is our only salvation. we
risk falling into the Chinese hands.
The section wherein lies the French le-
cation is occupied by imperial troops,
who have not entirely ceased to fire.
We are reduced to siege rations. We
have provisions-horses, rice and bread
for fifteen days."
The following dispatch has been re-
ceived from the French consul at Can
ton:
All is quiet here. In the district Of
Swallow the agitation against the
Christians and missionaries is alarm
ing. Many missions in that region
have been pillaged and burned. The
viceroy and myself have decided each
to send delegate to make an investi-
cation and re-establish order. With
the view of giving weight to the mis-
sion and to show that accord exists be-
tween the mandarin and the consul
ate, the commission sails on the French
war vessel Comet
London, August 15.-Rear Admiral
Bruce, telegraphing from Taku to the
British admiralty, says:
Il have received the following from
the general at Hosiwu, August 10:
The troops are distant about twen-
ty-seven miles from Pekin They ex-
perienced little opposition. A position
had been prepared by the enemy, but
as the allies advanced, they fled. The
Tartar cavalry was charged by two
squadrons of Bengal Lancers. MANY
of the former were killed The Stand
ards Of Generals Ma and Sung were
captured. The troops are much ex-
hausted by the heat, but their health
and spirits are otherwise excellent
"A second dispatch dated Hosiwu
August 11th, says: The advance NAV
be somewhat delayed as rain is fall
ing. 3"
ENCOURAGING THE LEGATIONS
AT PEKIN.
London, August 15.-The British for
eign office, replying to the latest cipher
dispatch from the British minister at
Pekin, Sir Claude Macdonald, the
wording of which was almost identf-
cal with the message from Sir Claude
received by the Canton correspondent
of The Daily Telegraph, and published
August 14til, and which was transmit
ed to the foreign office by the Chinese
minister here, bids the British minis
ter to be of good sheer and gives the
progress made by the relief column.
LEGATIONS SAFE LAST MONDAY.
The Chinese minister in London has
informed the British foreign office that
the foreign legations at Pekin are safe
on Monday August 18th.
STRENGTHENING CANTON DE-
F,ENSES.
Hong Kong, August 4.-Continued
in veStigationS at Canton show the
Chinese are wanting larger guns, old
gunboats are being overhauled, and
mines have been made recently ready
to lay in the. West river. A steamer
from Yu Chow reports passing consid-
erable numbers of Chinese troops go
ing up the West river, probably bound
| for Pekin.
START FOR PEKIN.
Berlin, August 15.-An official dis
patch from Taku, dated August 18th
announces that Captain Pohl, com
manding the German warship Herthe
| has started for Pekin with $50 men
| 1t is added that 160 AuStrians have alst
| gone in the same direction.