The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-16

governor of Shan Iung, emperor VIII
Iiam's offer of a reward of 1000 taelS for
the rescue of foreigners at Pekin, has
received the governors reply which is
dated July 13, to the effect that the
shutting up of foreigners IN Pekln has
deeply touched his heart, but that at
tempts to relieve them have failed ow-
ing to the revolt in Chi Ii, but the gov
ernor adds he will again try his best to
effect their release.
AT the foreign office here there is no
question as to the correctness of the
Chinese news of the massacre of 6or-
eigners in Pelxin. Officials take the view
that it is against the interests of the
Chinese to admit that there has been a
massacre, and that, therefore, the Chi
nese official dispatches on the subject
are, for once, probabl true Regarding
Tien Tsin, the foreign officers state the
dispatches from Admiral Bandemann,
declare that the situation has improved,
as reinforcements continue arriving.
The foreign office, while deeply deplor-
ing the horrible events at Pekin, ex-
presses confidence that 'henceforth the
powers solidarity of interest will as
sumo perfect harmony
The foreign office further stated that
DIR. Mumm Won Schwartzenstein Zap
pointed minister to China in succession
to the late Baron Won Ketteler) will pro-
ceed to China, knowing the latest devel-
opments.
Regarding the anomalous position of
the Chinese position here, the foreign
office said the minister admittedly does
not know from whence the declaration
of June 29, emanated. He also admitted
that he could not vouch for the cor
rectneSS of all the Chinese dispatches he
had received lately. The foreign office
pointed out to him that until the situa-
tion became clearer all of the communi-
cations could not be considered as en-
anating from the Chinese government
The foreign office is also considering
whether unlimited telegraphic connec-
tion between Lue Hal Huan, the Chi
nirai- TOR fn oV,1
Incompatible, just now, with Germany's
interests, today issued orders inhibiting
Chinese legation dispatches.
The British embassy here has thus
far received no news from London con-
firnling the news of the massacre of for
eigners in Pekin. Lord Cough still
doubts that there has been a massacre
Chinese news having been all along un-
reliable.
JAPAN'S FORCE AT TIEN TSIN.
Washington, July 16.-The Japanese
legation today received a cable from
the minister for foreign affairs dated
Toxic, July 10, giving some belated de-
tails of the fighting at Tien TSin,, July
3, when the town was still in possess
sion of the allies.
According to this cablegram there are
1000 japanese troops at Tien Tsin More
than half of the allied troops in the at
tack on Tien Tsin on the 18th, there
fore, probably were Japanese. The ca
BILE is as follows:
"On the 3rd inst, a large body of Chi
neSe soldiers appeared before Tien Tsin
and attacked the northern part of the
settlement, which was guarded by the
Russian troops. The Japanese sent to
their aid. at the Russian generals re-
quest one battery of artillery and two
companies of infantry. After a heavy
cannonade, they silenced the Chinese
guns and finally repulsed the enemy"
The Japanese losses in this engage
ment were two captains killed and thir-
ty nOn-commiSsioned officers and men
killed or wounded. Major General Flu
kishama has now under him at Tien
Tsin about 1000 Japanese troops.
WHO IS COL. FRENCH?
Washington, July 16.-The report that
Colonel French. Twenty first infantry,
was killed at Tien Tsin, is not under
stood at the war department here. Of
fcials state positively that Colonel
| one G,olenel French in the service and he
commands the Twenty second infan-
| try, two battalions of which are in the
! Philippines and the third in this cOun-
| try. On June 80. Colonel French was in
| New York on sick leave.
WU HEARS THE NEWS
Washington, July 16.-News of the
| battle of Tien Tsin as brought by as
| sociated press cables direct from the
| field, was conveyed to the Chinese min
| lister early today. The minister follow
| ed the recital with rapt attention, in
| terrupting with expressions of aston
| ishment and profound regret at this
| startling development. He was -partic--
ularly impressed with the detailed
names of the American killed and
| wounded which appeared to remove ev-
| cry shadow of doubt and he asked as
! to the various officers and their fami-
! lies. The scene of the fighting came
| home wildly to the minister he has
! lived for a long time at Tien Tsin, the
| close friend and associate of Ii Hung
| Chang during the latter's vice royalty
| ND n
/ ment around the walls could be follow
| ed by him with personal knowledge OF
] the surroundings In his minds eye
he pictured before him the scene of ac-
| ton Here he pointed out the great
| walled city, within which the native
| Chinese population lived
| Around the city swept the sinuous Pei
| river from Taku toward Pel<in. Below
| the walled city, a full hours ride by
chair, lay the foreign settlements or
/ concessions or compounds. At this lat
| ter point well away from the walls OF
| the main city, the foreign citizens, with
4 the allied troops, have until now been
! located. The news of the fight at the
| walls meant therefore that the allied
| forces had advanced from their position
| well down the Pei Ho and had attacked
| the city itself. The outcome of this
! he viewed with the utmost concern. He
| spoke with a great deal of freedom, but
| asked to be excused from any pubic
| declaration on the subject. In the most
| sympathetic terms, however, he ex-
| pressed his horror at the latest develop
| ments. declaring that to no American
| home could the news bring deeper re-
/ gret than to himself
At the other legations and embassies
| the same feeling of diSmay prevailed
| Although Minister WI will make nc
| public utterance, the associated press is
| able to give what is believed to be the
| aspect of the situation from the Chi
| nese standpoint. According to this view
| the advance of the allied forces from
| the foreign settlement, down the river
| upon the native walled city was not
| only unfortunate, but was fraught witt
| the greatest danger. With the fate OF
| the foreign legations and ministers al
PeI<in still in doubt, the allied forces
| might well have turned their attention