September 15, 1900.]
To date (the 10th inst.) we have not received one notice of intention to cleanse, etc., in connec- tion with the Central District. The six Western District are the results of prosecutions. The In- spector is now completing his summons applica- tions for the Eastern District and will proba- bly be busy prosecuting during this week,
THE MACAO MORTALITY.
The deaths registered in Macao during the week ended August 26th numbered 55, and for the following week 49.
THE HEALTH OF THE COLONY,
The death rate of the colony for the week ended 25th August was 24-0, against 218 for the previous week and 197 for the correspond- ing week last year. The death rate for the following week was 218, against 224 for the corresponding weak last year.
This was all the business,
THE CRISIS IN CHINA.
LOCAL MOVEMENTS. The transport Lalpoora (No.43) arrived on the 7th inst. from Calcutta, which she left on the 26th ult. She brings the left Wing of the 4th Punjaub Infantry (5 British and 9 Na- tive officers, 354 N.C.O.'s and men, and 74 fol- lowers, with horses and mules); D. Section 51st Native Field Hospital (one British officer, 7 men, and 62 followers); and of the staff of the Third Brigade one British officer, one man, and 3 followers.
The transports Dalhousie and India left on the 7th inst. with the remainder of the Hongkong Regiment for Weihaiwei, Lieut.-Col. Retallick, and Lients. Moberley and Barrett proceeding with the right wing on the Dalhousie, and Capt. Anderson and Lieuts. Hutchinson and Rudkin with the left wing on the India. The trans- ports were inspected by Major-General Gascoigne at 8 a.m. before their departure.
The transport Nairung returned from the
north on the 7th inst.
The German gunboat Luchs arrived in the harbour on the 7th inst. from the south.
The German transport Aachen and French transport Sinai left on the 7th inst. for Taku.
On the 8th and 9th instant two British tran- sports arrived from Calcutta, the Mohawk and the St. Andrew. The Mohawk brought on the 8th a squadron of the Jodpore Lancers (one British and 15 native officers, 119 N.C.O.'s and men, 145 followers, with horses and ponies); and C Section 61st Native Field Hospital (one British officer, 6 men, and 61 followers). The St. Andrew brought on the 9th A Section 38th Native Field Hospital (one British officer, 5 men, and 70 followers), No. 2 General Hospital (3 British officers, 4 men, and 78 followers), and $19 Siege Train Bullocks, under the charge of 2 British officers, accompanied by 6 men and 330 followers.
The Nurani returned on the same day from Taku.
On the 9th the cruiser Protector arrived in the harbour from South Australia. She left Adelaide with Captain Clare in command on August 6th, and came up via Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Thursday Island, and Iloilo. She experienced fine weather throughout, and a favourable opportunity was thus opened up for the ship's company to get their little vessel thoroughly trimmed and ready for any emer- gency which might arise. The men, who were the recipients of many presents of tobacco, cigars, beer, stout, &c., from the admiring crowds who watched the embarkation, were regaled with the gifts on the passage up, and that help- ed to make the time more pleasant. The Pro- tector is a steel cruiser, launched in 1884. Her displacement is 920, her i. h. p. 1,640, and her speed 14 knots. She is armed with one 8 in. 114 ton gun, five 6 in. 4 ton, and four Gattlings. Captain Creswell, C. M. G., the Commander of the Queensland Naval force, is now in com- mand of the Protector, häving joined her at Brisbane on her passage round, Captain Clare, then reverted to navigating Sub-Lieutenant, and second in command. The remaining officers are Second Lieut. Weir, Dr. Morris, of the Ad- elaide University, Mr. Clarkson, staff engineer, Mr. Argent, chief gunner, Mr. Joss, boat swain, and Mr. Turner jun, gunner. Mr. Blake, of Queensland, who has seen much service in China, both under the home and colonial go-`
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
vernments, is proceeding to China in the Pro- tector as Chinese Interpreter.
The U. S. transport Meade arrived on the 9th from Manila.
The French gunboat Décidée left Hongkong on the same day for Taku.
On Monday afternoon the military authorities received a wire from home, ordering the 24th Punjaub Infantry to Weihaiwei. They will leave Hongkong as soon as the typhoon has passed.
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worked under Count von Waldersoo as Chief of the Staff of the 9th Army Corps, has been selected as Quartermaster-General. Count von Waldersee, it is stated, was exceedingly pleased by the cordial reception which was everywhere accorded him by the public before be left Germany.
AT PEKING.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
Peking, 15th August.
THE UNUSED. GUNS,
**
On the 10th inst. the Glengyle arrived in the harbour, having left London on the 22nd July. She had on board, as we have already announced, four 40ft. steam pinnaces to be used in Chinese waters. She also carries one 47 gun, two 4 in. guns, and four 12-pounders, some field mount-vented the Naval Brigade with its guns from ings for naval guns, and spare gun gear.
The German transport H. H. Meier arrived on the 10th inst. from Bremerhaven, bringing some German troops, who were seen about the town in the evening.
A number of French military officers arrived by the Indus, including Generals Voyron and Bailloud. There were too a few French troops on board.
The German gunboat Luchs went over to Canton on the 10th inst.
Late on Monday the British transport Mohawk left with a squadron of Jodpore Lancers, a Hospital section, etc., for Taku.
Tuesday, owing to the stormy weather, was a blank day.
Late on the 10th inst. the transport Lawada returned from Weihaiwei.
The Nuddea and Warora arrived from Ran- goon on the 12th inst., bringing the 6th Bur- mah Light Infantry to Hongkong.
The German gunboat Tiger came in from Swatow on the 12th and the Portuguese cruiser Adamastor from Macao.
The Nurani and Canning started on their return journey to Bombay on the 12th.
The troops which arrived by the Nuddea on Wednesday have been landed at Lyeemoon. All the other troops which are coming out will be detained in Hongkong with the excep- tion of the cavalry.
Late on the 12th the transports City of Cambridge and Jelunga returned to Hongkong from the north, the latter bringing with her 17 officers and 250 Naval ratings from Taku.
The Putiala returned on the 13th from Wei- haiwei.
The Nawab and the Ashruf arrived on the 13th from the south, the former bringing one half of the 28th Madras Infantry (6 British and 8 native officers, 315 N. U. O.'s and men, and 62 followers, with horses and males) and B Section N. F. H. (one British officer, 5 men, and 57 followers), and the latter a Vickers Maxim battery, A Section 15th B. F. R., some Siege Train bullocks, one officer each of the Staff 3rd Brigade and the 6th Jats, and details.
The British transport St. Andrew sailed on the 13th, for Taku, as also did the German transport H. H. Meier.
The French transport Adour also arrived on the 13th having experienced some rough
weather.
The German cruiser Bussard came in on Thursday night.
AUSTRALIANS TO GARRISON TAKU.
We learn that the Australian Naval Brigade, which left here on the 31st ult. in the transport Salamis, arrived at Woosung on the 3rd inst., where they have been inspected by the Senior Naval Officer, and have, much to their satisfac- tion, been at once assigned to a service which, if not all they could have wished, they feel an honour. Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Seymour has deputed the Contingent to take over from the troops now stationed there the north-west Taku Fort and to garrison it.
ON THE WAY.
THE GERMAN EXPEDITION. Field Marshal Count von Waldersee is due to reach Hongkong by the Sachsen on the 18th inst. His staff consists of at least 30 German officers, together with the representatives of the other Powers. Major-General von Gross von Schwartzhoff, the commander of the 1st East Asiatic Brigade, has been appointed chief of the staff. Colonel Baron von Gayl, who has already
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We have arrived here at last, but ill-luck pre.
being among the first to enter the City, for the roads were simply so vile the last few miles that progress was brought to a minimum. Since the first small fight at Hsi-kn, or rather at Peit- sang, we have not fired a shot. Our battery was placed just north of Hai-ku Arsenal and were ordered to help the Russians on their attack on the Chinese position near the railway line; range about 5,000 yards. The guns did not fire many rounds, as the Chinese did not offer much resistance. At one period during the fight a large body of Chinese were observed from the top of our observation ladder-which is the "balloon" of the Naval Brigade and invaluable in a flat country like this-ap- parently collecting together as if to threaten our flank; but a few well-placed shells quickly dispersed them. It afterwards transpired that they were some Imperial Infantry Battalions being reformed after the first rush.
QUICK MARCH !
After the fight was over we marched to Peit- sang-a distance of eight miles from the scene of the action. We placed our guns in junks the next morning and towed them to Yangtann---- 12 miles and stopped there for that day. Next day we proceeded to Sishin, then to Hosiwu. At Yangtsun our forces met with some opposition, and the casualties amongst the British and Americans, who formed the principal party, were about 50, most of which the British General said could have been prevented had our guns been able to get up in time. The whole journey to the Capital has been a sort of International
Race.
gun tranSPORTING.
It was decided after the Yangtsun experience that our guns should be used in any future operations, but the Chinese offered no fight after this until Peking itself was reached.
Having collected together some 40 coolies we advanced with our junks in tow as fast as we could; keeping one junk well ahead with two guns and ammunition ready for immediate action. At Tung-shun three guns were taken out of the junks, and as our means of transport was very limited, and the ponies and mules very much done up, it was decided to leave behind the fourth gun in the junk to come on afterwards.
BAD ROADS AND SLOW PROGRESS. We took to the road again at 5
p.m. on the 13th inst., with the three guns and nearly 500 rounds of shell. Our progress on starting was very satisfactory, but a deluge of rain made the roads resemble sodden ploughed fields-only worse. An American transport section that was ahead of us got stuck, and at 8.30 p.m. further advance became impracticable and we bivouacked on the spot, having only made good about four miles. Started again next morning at 4a.m. and found the roads in such an awful con- dition that the Marine escort and guns' crews had to be put on the drag-ropes to assist to get the guns along. We eventually got to within one mile from Peking and entered the city next morning-the Royal Artillery lending us some horses to save what would otherwise have been a heavy drag.
NO MORE GUNS WANTED. We are now on the top of the wall holding the S.E. Gate, which is the best view and also best gunposition available. The 4-inch guns that were to have joined the relief column, but which were not then ready, have been stopped, as more guns are not now wanted; those already here can easily do what may be required from them Captain Boott was something more than a hum rist when he inscribed on these guns Ladysmith to Peking-Immediates, whilom inscription has now become plished fact.