was not possible. However our marines flanked them on the right, crossing the river, and charged their position with fixed bayonets. In two hours we had captured their entrenchments, scattered them, and six guns fell into our hands, which were used effectively against them.
FORTUNATE DISCOVERY AT THE ARSENAL.
The
greatest astonishment of the whole in- cident was the discovering of a huge arsenal containing hundreds of guns of all sorts, from 9.2's to Maxims, thousands of rifles and untold quantities of ammunition and stores of all sorts. Not one of our force was aware of its existence. We occupied it during the day, taking inside the Arsenal all our wounded and stores. A de- termined attempt was made in the afternoon to retake it, but the enemy were repulsed with heavy loss. The capture of this place was no doubt the salvation of our force, as nearly all our ammunition was expended, food almost ex- hausted, and the men getting done up owing to heavy marching, hard fighting, and heavier work than usually falls to the lot of man. In short, starvation and annihilation was staring
- us direct in the face.
THE WELCOME RELIEF. From various natives taken prisoners we now learned that Tientsin was surrounded, so that no relief could be expected from that place for a time. We had quiet times now for two days, living upon rice and mule, our only food, when on the 24th our rockets were answered, and next morning the relieving column hove in sight. our past experiences suddenly vanished into thin air with their appearance, and we were begin- ning already to feel sorry our romantic life was suddenly cut short.
25th June was spent preparing to get back to Tientsin, and we left next day at 3 a.m., arriving at our destination at 8 a.m. Before leaving the captured Arsenal, all useful stores and ordinance was taken and the remainder destroyed.
We found the town (Tientsin) a fearful wreck, evidences being abundant of heavy fighting.
[FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.]
THE ADMIRAL RELIEVED.
Tientsin, 29th June, Relief force for Admiral's relief, consisting of 500 Seamen and Marines, 200 Welsh Fusiliers, with detachments of German, American, and Japanese troops, started at midnight, 24th June. The night was dark, roads very bad, and for some time the column lost its way, but the whole force were in excellent spirits, and soon got on the proper track again.
to
Early next morning signals were exchanged, and we found out exactly where the admiral and his force
were. They had occupied a splendid position, having captured an Arsenal containing huge supplies of ordnance, am. munition, and stores. As the place could not be held and communications safely kept open, it was decided to fall back on Tientsin. The whole 'force moved across the river after destroying what was not wanted in the Arsenal, and commenced the march back to Tientsin. The Terrible's long range gun had moved out from the town and had shelled the eneiny who were attempting oppose our return, doing them considerable damage. Arrived back about 9 a.m. without much difficulty. Admiral's force had lost heavily, the Centurion's suffering the most, some 19 killed, and 130 wounded from that ship alone. They had suffered great privations from hunger, and want of medical comforts for so great a number of wounded, and had subsisted on naval rations for the latter ten days, till they captured some rice stored in the Arsenal. A runner came through from Peking to-day stating that the Embassies were being heavily bombarded, and that only the British, French and Russians were holding out. The German Ambassador had been killed. Grave fears are entertained as to the safety of the Europeans there.
ADMIRAL SEYMOUR'S PRAISE. The following is the full text of the notifica- tion which was issued by Admiral Seymour, to be read as soon as may be to all concerned in the late operations, and to all ships' com- panies in north China."
Tientsin, 3rd July.
I desire to express to the officers, seamen, and marines comprising the late expeditionary force
א
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
towards Peking my high sense of satisfaction with their general conduct therein, during a time which comprised much discomfort, hard work, and want of food and water, with little rest and decided anxiety, in addition to the dangers of war.
.!
"The above were encountered with a zeal, patience, courage, and cheerfulness worthy of the noble service to which we belong. Similar trials may be before us, but will, I know, be borne as the above were.
[July 21, 1900.
el
Candiani, the former sailing on the
2 9.8in.
June, and the latter a few days latter Spezzia. The flagship Fieramosca' is 'a second-class cruiser of 3,600 tons and 171 knots speed, built at Leghorn, in 1888, she carries guns, 6 6in. quickflrers, and 16 smaller guns, and a complement of $15. The Dogali is a third-class cruiser of 2,088 tons and 19,66 knots speed, built at Elswick in 1887. She carries 6 6-in, and 14 smaller guns, and a com- plement of 257.
to
"At the same time I wish to express to the officers and men lately employed in the defence Manila Times says that the first class battle- A New York telegram of the 6th inst, to the of Tientsin, and to those engaged in the opera-ships Massachusetts and Indiana, and the first tions about Taku, including the capture of class protected cruisers Columbia and Minnea- those forts, my thorough satisfaction with all polis have been ordered to proceed at once
Kearsarge and Kentucky and the second class China, and that the new first class battleships protected oruiser Atlanta have received orders to proceed to Europe presumably for China via Suez.
concerned.
The defence of Tientsin has been carried out with much risk and fatigue constantly harassing those employed, but met with the true Naval spirit.
*4
The capture of the Taku forts was a brilliant affair, well planned and well carried out; suc- cess, as not unusually, crowned very gallant and daring efforts. I congratulate all concerned
therein.
44
It is my pleasing duty, and that of the Rear- Admiral in my absence, to convey the above to their Lordships at the Admiralty; and it will be known generally in England.
66
To me, personally, the fine conduct of those belonging to the British China Squadron is a matter of special pride and pleasure, and I have no misgivings but that, whatever is before us, we shall if possible do better rather than other- wise, and uphold the traditions of the British navy."
E. H. SEYMOUR, Vice-Admiral.
CANTON.
Our Canton correspondent writes from Canton on the 14th instant-Upon receipt of the news that H.E. Li Hung-chang is going North in three or four days by the China Merchant steamer Anping, people be- came restless and apprehensive, and seemed to have lost all the confidence in the Chinese offi- cials, in spite of their vows and assurance of protection. The foreign Consuls in Shameen called a meeting yesterday and decided upon the plan of defence.
WEIHAIWEL
ኔ
any
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT]
Weihaiwei, 6th July. Disturbances be expected at
may
time at Chefoo. News was received here to-day that the coolies and servants of several European residents had left their work suddenly, H.M.S. Terrible is ready to sail at an hour's notice if required.
on
The
same correspondent writes the 12th inst.:-"It seems that H.M.S. Terrible was suddenly called to Chefoo on the 10th inst,, disturbances being feared. When she arrived, however, she found everything quiet and she left at noon for Weihaiwei, whether she has just
returned."
GENERAL ITEMS.
THE PROTECTION OF THE PORTUGUESE
IN CHINA.
The Indiana and Massachusetts aro sistor
ships to the Oregon, with two screws, two funnels and one military mast. Their length primary and four secondary turrets, two
is 348 feet, with 63 feet 3 inches beam and 8 displacement is 10,288 tons, and they are cap mean draught of 24 feet. Their able of steaming from 15.5 to 17.5 knots an hour Their armament consists of 41 guns and 3 torpedo tubes, and their complement is 470 men. The cruisers Columbia and Minneapolis, are sister-ships with three screws. The Colum bia has fore funnels and the Minneapolis two fore and aft and two pole masts. Their length is 412 feet, with 58 feet 2 in. beam, and a mean draught of 23 feet. Their displacement is 7,375 tons and they are capable of steaming 22.8 to 23 knots an hour. Their armament consists of 31 guns and two torpedo tubes and their complement is 500 men. The Kentucky and Kearsarge are the new battleships of the latest improved type lately put into commission.
The US. gunboat Bennington, which arrived at Cavite on the 5th from Lingayen, is at pre- sent awaiting orders. There is a probability that she may also be sent to China.
In connection with the despatch of the U. S. S. Monocacy to Taku, it is stated that the Washington authorities, on receipt of tidings of the critical state of affairs in the north of China, cabled out to Shanghai asking whether the old ship could safely be sent to the Peiho. An an- swer was sent to the effect that she could be sent provided a. convoy went along with her. Quickly fresh instructions came from Washing- ton in these terms: "Never mind the convoy. Send the Monocacy at once. If she can go with the convoy she can go very well without one." Accordingly the Monocacy was sent.
SOME DETAILS OF TIENTSIN FIGHTING.
++
A N.-C. Daily News representative had an in- teresting interview with an officer of the Hsinchi, the C.M.S. vessel which brought many refugees from Tientsin to Shanghai. We make some
extracts:
THE BOMBARDMENT OF TIENTSIN. The Chinese, according to latest news, are using a 15 cm. gun and 11 smaller weapons in the bombardment of Tientsin, and, using smoke- less powder, the troops have difficulty in locat On the 19th inst. our Macao correspondent wrote that General Garcia had received a tele-ing them. The only guns of any use are those gram from his son-in-law Senhor Figaredo, of of H.M.S. Terrible, others being too short of Shanghai, to the following effect Imminent range. [These Terrible guns are two 12-prs.]. danger Portuguese community abandoned. Request Government help."
The cruiser Adamastor,"
our correspondent continues, **is waiting at Colombo to escort hither the troopship now on her
way out from Portugal, though that she should be per- required here is not a tribute to the energy mitted to delay when she is so urgently
of the Portuguese Government.”
NAVAL REINFORCEMENTS:
The Austro-Hungarian armoured crniser Kaiserin Maria Theresa, now on her way out, is a vessel of 5,270 tons and 19 knots' speed, built at Trieste in 1893. She carries 2 9.4in. guns, 85.9in quickfirers, 2. 2.7in,, and 2 Maxims, and a complement of 450.
The Italian men-of-war Ettori Fieramosca and Dogali have been ordered to China with
THE CHINESE" DEAD.
There were thousands of dead Chinese along the river banks, and floating down the river at Tientsin. The stench is described as simply dreadful." In many quarters starving dogs had eaten bodies in the streets.
LYDDITE FOR THE BRITISH. When the steamer left, the British were sand- up Lyddité ammunition to Tientsin, and it would be at its destination by now.
THE FIRST CHINESE CONTINGENT. The men of the First Chinese Regiment are credited with first-class work, both in bayonet fighting and in doing military police work..
NO QUARTER, All prisoners taken are shot, the brutalities practised by the enemy on European wounded who fall into their hands justifying such a dras- tio measure.