Smyrna times., 1900-07-18

THE lack of definite news from
Pekin leads to the belief that all the
foreigners there have been massacred.
This has been affirmed and denied for
the past three weeks, but the general
belief has now settled down to the
fact that all who were in Pekin have
met a violent death. The BOXERS"
whose watch-word was death tc all
foreigners, seem to have got beyond
the control of the Government, and
one of their number, Prince Tuan,
seized the reins of government. For
ferocity, history hardly furnishes a
parallel to this movement of the ''Box-
ers." 1t is believed that large num-
ber of the missionaries scattered
throughout that nation, of whom there
are 8, 200, will be tortured to death, for
their method of death is torture of the
worst kind What is more, they have
learned how to fight with the weapons
of civilization, as the report of the dis
aster to the armies of the civilizee ma
tions in yesterdays papers, when the
latter were repulsed with a loss of one
quarter of their men at Tien Stein will
show. On July 18th the allied foreign
forces before Tien-Tsin, China, num-
bering 1000, including the Ninth
United States Infantry, 1400 strong,
attempted to storm the wall of the
city.
After thirteen hours bloody fighting
the allies were repulsed with great loss
by the Chinese, who numbered 10000
men.
The losses to the foreign troops were
very heavy, including 25 per cent. of
the Ninth United States Infantry killed
or wounded.
The sudden ending of the Presi-
dents vacation was decided on Mon
day at a meeting of the officers of the
Cabinet.
This shows the deep impression
made upon the Administration by the
terrible news from Pekin and Tien -Tsin,
which has stirred Washington like
nothing else since the late Spanish
war.
Although the destruction of Minister
Conger, his family and attaches, the
olher Americans and foreigners at
Pekin has not been reported officially,
it is believed by practically all of the
officials.
The officials were stirred into action,
however, by Admiral Remey's official
report of the staggering disaster to the
international army at Tien-T Tsin, in
Guiding the death of that gallant Ver-
monter, Colonel Liscum, of the Eight
ing Ninth" and Captain Davis, of the
Marine Corps. This hastened official
action for the punishment of the offend.
ing Chinese.
1t was as unexpected as blow in
the dark, for the officials were waiting
for news from Pekin rather than from
Tien-Tsin, so that it shocked the offic.
ial circle, and especially the War and
Navy Departments, which knew the
officers mentioned so we'll.
LATER.-The above is from the dale,
of yesterday. The news from the pa
pers to-day is much more favorable
The third day of the fight at Tien- TsiI
the allies were more successful. The
battered down the walls of the city will
a loss of 775 killed and wounded; Rus
sia and japanese lost heavily; our tota
loss reported 215; about 40 were ma
riuee ont the number is believed to b
exaggerated.
Admiral Seymour returned to fleet
ranking officer ashore is Admiral Alex
Jeff, at Tien-Tsin.
The hostile Chinese have been drive
out of the shelter of the city into th
open plain by the victory, and the al
lied force has quadrupled its efficienc
by placing the Chinese in this position
1t is not doubted that the forwar
movement on Pekin will begin as 500
as a cavalry contingent arrives froi
japan, which should be within day {
two.
In the combined attack upon th
native city July 18th, over 40 CUR
bombarded the Chinese positions.
Eight Chinese guns were capture
and the Chinese we're driven out
the west arsenal after fierce cannon
ade.
Minister WI received message We
terday in Washington, that the Mini
ters at Pekin were safe. All messag.
that come from China need to be col
frmed.