;
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
August 25, 1900.] gunboats opened fire on the Chinese Town,they repeatedly speak in unwarranted language which resulted in all the native combatants | carrying evil intent, thereby causing confusion flying southwards towards the plains, where in the Government. Traitorous counsels also they were intercepted by the Russian field artil- tend towards influencing other members of the lery and cavalry.
Government to their side and their lack of reverence for the Throne is such that words are not strong enough to condemn their actions. We are of opinion that if such conduct be not severely punished as an example there will be no other means of keeping discipline amongst the ranks of our officials, and we therefore here- by command that the said Hsu Ching-cheng and Yuan Chang be forthwith beheaded as a solemn warning to others."
THE STATE OF TIENTSIN.
THE TOWN NOT RUINED.
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THE CHINESE ATTACK ON BLAGOVESTCHENSK. The Kobe Herald prints some interesting ex- tracts from a letter received in Kobe from gentleman who was in Blagovestchenak when the thinese first attacked the town. The writer dates his letter from Vladivostook :
I suppose by this time you will know the cause why communication has been interrupted between Blagovestchensk and this place. I wanted to telegraph to you that Blagovestchenak was bombarded, but such telegrams were not re- ceived at the telegraph station. When I arrived at Blagovestchensk the city presented the most peaceful aspect and there was nothing whatever to suggest that Blagovestchensk would soon be a besieged city. The complete faith the citizens had in their neighbours across the border
and arms.
The bombardment was stopped to allow some of the merchants, accompanied by a lieutenant, to proceed down town and get the Guilds toge- ther. Some eight. native merchants with one of the Yamên officials the Taotai had filed, having been threatened with death by the "Boxers" for endeavouring to dissuade them from making an attack-were found,; and re- turned with the Foreigners to the Settlement, where they had an interview with the General, who stopped further bombardment on the condi- tion that all arms would be given up by 10 am. the the following day. The same evening the Russian Naval flag was hoisted at the Custom House by order of the General
A conversation which a representative of the On the 5th N.-C. Daily News had with a gentleman recent inst. Mr. B. A. Bush, a few of the foreign merly returned from Tientsin to Shanghai has chants, and Mr. Schmidt, of the Russo-Chi- resulted in the learning of many interesting nese Bank, accompanied the troops on their facts in connection with the condition of affairs march into the Native City, to assist in procuring in the North. Since the taking of Tientsin accommodation for the soldiers appointed to police the Town, and to prevent misunder- considerably. There is, of course, no business native city, things have quieted down there standings between the Chinese and Russians. in Tientsin, though the banks are doing a little. Vice-Admiral Alexeief arrived yesterday and The reports as to the ruined condition of Tien- informed the deputation of Foreign mer- tsin are absolutely wrong, chants who called on him, that the Russians
A sugar godown was ruined, and in the French Settlement there would administer the Town, and that the dues had been heavy damage, though this last was would be collected by the Customs as heretofore done by the defenders for the most part to pre- but held pending final Settlement. But for the
vent the Chinese from obtaining cover. barbarous behaviour of the Cossacks it would Hongkong and Shanghai Bank are doing some The not be difficult to reassure the merchants; the small repairs, but they are very little damaged / Habarovsk with the remaining 300 soldiers. I As to the American Consulate. which was all. All the barricades had been cleared away. reported to be in ashes, it was hardly injured at and the town has generally been cleared up. 80 that it presents quite a peaceful and happy
Native City is quiet, and the Hongs are all closed.
Very little damage was caused to the town by the bombardment.
THE ACTION OF H.B.M. CONSUL AT CHUNGKING.
The following is the text of the much criticised circular issued by H.B M. onsnl at Chungking, to the British subjects in Szechuan, Yunnan and Kweichow.
British Consulate, Chungking. 6th July, 1900. Gentlemen,-I have to warn you that owing to the critical political situation, amounting to a national revolution, I consider that you run the greatest risk to your own lives and those of your families by remaining any longer in the interior of China or travelling there, for the present, and I have to call upon you to proceed with all possible speed to places where there is protection of British Naval or Military
forces.
M F. A. Fraser,
Her Britannic Majesty's Consul
appearance,
REPAIRING THE RAILWAY.
Moreover, there is railway communication both ways at 8.0, 12.0, and 4.0. with Taku, and three trains a day are running It was not to the credit of the English that this line was repaired and put in working order. They had the splendid opportunity of putting the job under the direction of Mr. Kinder, who could have engaged the necessary staff and coolies' jealous hands of the Royal Engineers, who labour, but they put it into the slow and made so tedious a business of it that finally the work was done by the Russians, and done quickly and with fair efficiency.
THE ALLIES' QUARTERS.
The taking of the native city practically ended the danger for Tientsin, unless it be true. which is not considered likely, that 15,000 Boxers are in the neighbourhood, waiting the depletion of the garrison that they may attack.
had led to the complete withdrawal of the troops withdrawal of the troops left it in fact in a most The city was left defenceless. The critical position, and we have only to thank Chi- nege stupidity and cowardice that we have not had ed. I arrived at Blagovestchensk on Friday our throats cut and that the city has been sack-
the next day. I expected to call again on evening, July 13th, an went out on business several parties and to leave the city a few days afterwards. On Sunday, July the 15th, at 6 o'clock in the evening, every one was amazed to hear that fire had suddenly been trenches "on opened upon Blagovestchensk from concealed the opposite side of the river. A steamer was just about to leave the city for
was just going on board the steamer, to send off
children, the day being a holiday, when all at my mail, and the principal street, which faces th river, was crowded with men, women and
once volley after volley from rifle and cannon was fired at us. You can imagine what then ensued. The screams and general panic were and rushed madly to the rear of the city. In a The people were terror-stricken horrifying. quarter of an hour in the principal street not one soul was to be seen. The firing from the Chinese shore increased all the time. Soon after all the rifle and ammunition stores were torn open and young and old began to arm themselves dents fought with themselves for the possession with whatever they could get hold of. Resi- of a gun, for the city was left almost as bare of I was staying everybody received a gun and a arms as it was of troops. .t the hotel where few cartridges and marched off to the river front, as a Chinese invasion was immediately to land. The rifles given out to us were those expected. We were to frustrate any attempt
used in the Crimean War and they are harmless things; however, it was the best the city had. 200 regular soldiers were armed with axes und
To all British Subjects in the Provinces of However, as soon as the shelling-and the loot. 300 with guns, and the free citizens formed the
Szechuan, Yunnan, and Kweichow.
FOREIGN REPLIES TO
LI HUNG-CHANG.
It will be remembered, says the N. C. Daily News, that when Li Hung-chang received his last appointment to negotiate peace H.E. telegraphed the news to the various Foreign Offices of Europe and America. The replies have now arrived and from what can be gather-
ing-had been done, the town settled down into a life almost hum-drum. The troops went into quarters, and it was noticeable that the Russians and Japanese were kept widely apart. The Japanese lived in the Japanese concession. where they had bought Chang Yen-mao`s house. The Russian camp was about two miles below the railway station, on on the railway line the left bank of the river. The American troops were in godowns in the British Settle-
ment, while the British were scattered about in
whole defence of Blagovestchensk. A whole night we stood on watch facing the enemy's fire. Evidently the Chinese, although they kept up a steady fire, were more afraid than the Russians and did not try to cross the river. Thanks to the Chinese not being very good marksmen only a few of us were wounded and two killed, and very little damage was done to the buildings. The next day trenches were of guards composed of armed residents. All dug and the city was surrounded with a chain
ed from them by the Chinese officials at Shang- different places. Their bluejackets were on the places of business were closed and a good many
hai imply that, apart from others signifying a desire to negotiate peace, Russia requires land in compensation, while Germany is determined on revenge, owing to the murder of her Minister, Baron von Ketteler, and will not speak of peace until after Peking has been captured.
THE MURDERED MEMBERS OF THE TSUNGLI YAMEN. The following is the Imperial Decree referring to the execution of Hsu Ching-chong and Yuan Chang, the two members Tenngli Yamen whose death we have recorded already. The decree is dated 29th July, the day
after their execution.
the
unloading lighters, and work of that sort. Bund, which was necessary, as they engaged in Their position is called "Barfleur Barracks.”
}
IN THE CITY.
The native city is far from being quiet. It is full of malcontents and Boxers, Major Waller, the distinguished American officer, had one day to empty his revolver in self-defence.
THE WEIHAIWEI REGIMENT. In connection with the fact that a hundred men of the 1st Chinese Regiment have gone with the force to help pull the guns, while the remainder have remained at Tientsin, the N.-C. Doily News quotes an observer, who says: "I We have received of late repeated memorials think they are good under fire, but I also think denouncing the evil reputation and traitorous they are a most unreliable regiment. They have ambitions of Hsu Ching-cheng, Senior (Chinese) gone to fight, and they will fight. After this Vice-President of the Board of Civil Appoint- they will loot like fiends, and desert with their ments, and Yuan Chang, Director of the Court loot. On the other hand if they are not given of Sacrificial Ceremonies, especially in their posi- an opportunity to fight, they will complain that tion of Ministers of the Foreign Office. Further they are not soldiers and will desert for that that, whenever they are received in audience, I reason. I think they arequite unreliable.”
of he population left the city and went inland, but soon returned, finding out that there was greater danger there than in the city itself.
Of course at such a time there was no talk of The city was declared doing any business, under military law on the 16th, hanging being the penalty for any misconduct.
River communication has also been declared interrupted as long as the war on the Amur continues. Finding out that I was only losing time staying there, and that it may become still worse. I got permission to leave the city by horse. It was a very risky undertaking, but it had to be done, as staying there any longer meant losing time and money, and risk- ing life at the same time. So, after untold dif- ficulties and great dangers and privation, I reached Mikhaelo-Semenofsh, where I met Capt. Nikitin, who took me to Khabarofsk. I am the first man to leave Blagovestohensk at such time and think that I have done a good thing in doing so. A good many wanted to do the same, but could get no horses and were afraid to undertake the journey.
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