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tives in Peking, and Wang Yi-yung, President of the Imperial Academy, suicide with their respective families, old and young then residing in the North. With reference to Hsü Tung. who was over 80 years of age, he fled to a country farm-house of his some 12 miles east of Peking upon the arrival of the Allied troops near the Capital, and upon learning of the flight of the Empress Dowager he committed suicide, accompanied at the same time by his sons, grandsons, and most of their women and chil. dren. There are rumours of Hsü Tong having committed suicide in the Wuying Throne-hall, he being its Keeper, but this is doubtful in the face of late and more reliable news. Wang Yi-yung, the above noted President of the Imperial Academy, committed suicide with his whole family in Peking on the arrival of the Allied troops there and it is stated that over 200 families of high officials did the same thing at the time.
NEWS VIA JAPAN.
JAPAN TO WITHDRAW FROM PEKING.
As the result of repeated conferences at the official residence of the Prime Minister during the last few days, the Minister of War sent a despatch a few days, the Japa Times under- stands, instructing Lieut-General Baron Ya- maguchi now in Peking, to send home one brigade, that is, half of the force under him. It is further stated that the Ministers are of opinion that in view of the existing state of things in Peking there will not occur any ex- tensive fighting in China, in the immediate future at any rate. Even if there should take place some collisions, the allies are no longer in such small force as they were at first and they will be able to meet with emergencies. Under
the circumstances the Cabinet considers that there is no reason that Japan alone should keep a large force in the field. In the event, how. ever, of the renewal of hostilities necessitating the despatch of another expedition, the geogra- phical position of Japan will enable her to send again all the forces required at a short notice, which the other Powers cannot do. The with- drawal, above referred to, will therefore be of a different kind from that proposed by Russia. who proposes to call her troops back only to Tientsin.
PEKING NEGOTIATIONS,
Telegrams to Tokyo from Japanese cor- respondents at Shanghai state that the con- ference at Peking between Prince Ching and the Foreign Representatives proved a failure, owing to the refusal of the Russian Minister and the German Acting Minister to take part in the proceedings. The Russian Minister's refusal was based on the ground that
he had been ordered by his home Government to withdraw from the capital, and the acting German Minister declared that no one but Dr. Mumm Von Schwarzenstein, the newly-appoint- ed Minister, then on his way to China, has been authorized to represent the German Government. Great Britain, it is stated from the same source, has decided to withdraw a portion of her troops from Peking, regardless of the Rus- sian proposals for the evacuation of the city. It is believed that the other Powers, with the exception of Russia, will follow her example.
Prince Ching has been ordered to interview the Foreign Ministers separately instead of meeting them collectively.
RUSSIA AND CHINA.
[September 22, 1900.
HER MAJESTY'S MESSAGES TO PEKING.
The following Messages have been received in Peking:-
MacDonald :-" Warmest congratulations on Telegram from Her Majesty to Sir Claude
your safety after such a terrible time of anxiety to us all. Trust you, Lady MacDonald and children are well, as well as all the others.
Marine Guard (Capt. Wray):-"I thank God
VICTORIA R. L.” Telegram to Officer Commanding British that you and those under your command are rescued from your perilous situation. With my people I have waited with the deepest anxiety for the good news of your safety and a happy termination to your heroic and pro- longed defence. I grieve for the losses and sufferings experienced by the besieged.
VICTORIA R. I."
THE HONGKONG. WEEKLY PRESS AND Sappers and Miners have not been allowed to go to sleep in Peking evidently. They were on the 23th ult. given the gentle little task of perforating a tunnel through Peking's little sixty-foot wall, for the purpose of easier access in getting forage. A greater part of the Tsungli Yamên building is burnt, we regret to say, and it is impossible to say where the documents are stored; but we hope that some valuable finds will be made, as there should be evidence of much more valuable nature there than was found here. When the Tsungli Yamên was first occupied by the Allies the troops of each nationality secured the box containing the despatches and memoranda of their respective governments, and sealed them up so that the contents remain private. What is of most interest is to know who has secured the Chinese documents, if any have been secured.-It is said that sometime towards the end of May, about three or four days before Fêngtai was destroyed a meeting of the Grand Council was held and it was decided there and then to exter. minate the foreigners in Peking, but owing to the usual want of promptitude on the part of the Chinese in carrying out anything official, they delayed the massacre until it was too late; the foreign guards arrived on the scene. This is from Chinese sources, but may be correct.- Several foreigners who managed immediately after the relief of the Peitang to get inside the Imperial grounds, and even into the Palace,
On the 31st August one of the Japanese describe the Dowager's apartments as suggestsentries invaded the British Consulate premises; ing Lowther Arcade, the best of artistic China, the constable ordered him off, getting a lot of and gilt-edged Paris in a curious medley. Her insolence in return. The matter was reported flight had been genuinely hasty it appears, as
to the Acting Japanese Consul. The Consul, one observant visitor noted a slipper thrown off
Mr. Uyeno, has left for Tamsui and Tokyo; near the bed, and various articles of toilet lying rumour says he has been recalled, but I hear he about. Everything had to be left intact, but returns at the end of the month. One day four trifling momentos such as a fan or a scent bottle local watchmen were taken prisoners and put were brought away by the lucky few who got
on board a man-of-war by the Japanese; two in. The Palace was found guarded within and managed to escape, and the Taotai obtained the without by Russians, and though they were
release of the other. asked subsequently to retire until some decision had been definitely arrived at, they still, wa believe, held the keys.
RUSSIANS IN CHINESE TURKESTAN. The following telegram from Urumtsi, the provincial capital of Chinese Turkestan (Kash- garia and Ili) has been published:-Owing to news of troubles with Foreign Powers at Pek- ing having become known here and to the fact that the Tarantchis (Kashgar Mahommedans less, Jao, Governor of the province, sent a large settled in Ili) were beginning to become rest- force of cavalry from Urumtsi to Kuldja to overawe the malcontents. On arriving at the Pass dividing Uramtsi from Ili, however, the force was stopped by officers sent by the Tartar General Chang Kêng, commanding at Kuldja, stating that he had received a despatch from the Russian General commanding on the Russo- Ili would be taken as an act of war, and that Ti frontier that any reinforcements sent into the Russians would invade Ili if the arriving
Chinese force did not return to Urumtsi." retired to the Urumtsi or Eastern side of the The Chinese troops have therefore temporarily Pass, and will await further orders from the Viceroy at Lanchow.
The launch of the largest steamer built in Shanghai took place on the 11th inst. at Messrs. Boyd & Co.'s yard at Pootung. The vessel as she left the ways was christened the Tung-ting, There are no signs of the Russian forces pre- She is constructed of mild steel throughout paring to evacuate Peking, but it is stated that and her dimensions are:-length over all, 279 the Russian Minister will shortly withdraw from feet; length between perpendiculars, 270 feet; the capital. It is stated that a private under- breadth moulded, 42 feet; depth moulded, 10 ft. standing has been arrived at between Russia and The engines are of the inverted triple expansion Viceroy Li Hung-chang, whereby the latter surface condensing type. The h. p. cylinder is promises to obtain for Russia railway and min-12 inches diameter: intermediate 21 inches ing concessions in North China, Russia, on her part, has offered to supply China with a loan for the purpose of releasing China from her financial obligations to Great Britain.
VICEROY LIU ASKS FOR BRITISH TROOPS. Viceroy Liu Kung-yi has asked Great Bri. tain to land troops at various towns along the Yangtze, so as so prevent Germany from in- truding into the Valley.
MISCELLANEOUS. We take the following from the Peking and Tientsin Times of the Ist inst. The Bengal
diameter; low pressure 34 inches diameter; with a 27-inch stroke. The boilers are of mild steel and are 12 feet 3 inches diameter and 11 feet long, and will carry a working pressure of 190 pounds. They are arranged for both forced and natural draught The tonnage is 2,050 tons gross, and 1,273 tons nett. Her speed calculated to be between 10 and 11 knots. She is fitted for carrying eight saloon passengers (Foreign) 40 first-class (Chinese), 214 steerage (Chinese). She has an electric installation. The Tung-ting is an addition to Messrs. Butterfield & Swire's fleet sailing in Chinese waters.
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AMOY.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Amoy, 11th September.
THE PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS.
A WEDDING.
On the 2nd a quiet wedding took place at the Spanish Consulate, Mr. G. Bocker of the I. M, Customs to Miss Marie Louise Marston. The Consul, while Mr. Maze of the I. M. Customs bride was given away by Mr. Dunne, French officiated as best man.
THE BRITISH WITHDRAWAL. The withdrawal of the British Guard took place at about 9 a.m. on the 7th, with rather an imposing ceremony, the flag being slowly
jackets presenting arms, and the officers salut- lowered from Butterfield & Swire's flagstaff, the whole guard of British Marines and Blue-
Castine, Tiger, and the senior Japanese captain ing. There were present the captains of the Isis,
The guard then embarked, the Japanese doing in port, the American Consul and the Totai. the same a few minutes after. The departure
of the British Guard, it is said, was very much
quarters, and were rather well looked after by regretted by the Chinese, and I think the guard
the community. Mr. Simpson, the ever-thought- were sorry also, for they had very comfortable
ful Commissioner of Customs, gave them free access to the Customs Library and Club, which they very much appreciated. Some of the men said they could do a few months here very comfortably. During their stay on shore there was not occasion for a single complaint.
IN THE HARBOUR,
There are 4 Japanese, 1 American, 1 British and 1 French man-of-war in port. During the week the Rurik called twice, and the Mohawk, Humber and the German Schwalbe also visited
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A VISITOR FROM FOOCHOW. things, and, I believe, had several conferences The Foochow Taotai came down to settle
drawal of the guards. Yesterday evening he with the Consuls, the result being the with
there were present the British Consul and gave a dinner at the Amoy Hotel, at which Assistant, U.S. Consul and Vice Consul, Japanese Consul, and six Chinese Officials.
THE REFUGEES.
The people who cleared out are returning and everything is quiet. Several shops have been re- remain closed. I hear several of the male mis- opened, but the banks and pawnshops still sionaries want to return to the interior, but they must first get permission from Consuls and Taotai or go at their own risk.
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