June 30, 1900.]
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Then this act of war, your Excellency, does it mean that the Empire is at war with the allied Powers, or only the forces in Chihli-in the vicinity of Peking? Have you made any preparations ?
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"I do not think that this is a declaration of war, so I have made no preparation for war. I am receiving you and the foreign consuls here, so we are quite friendly. Then, if this trouble up north meant a de- claration of war, I should have been notified by telegram by the Central Government.'
But in any case you could not get a telegram through from Peking-the wires are cut ?"
ct
•
"
Well, I got a telegram about Yu Lu and the forts-the wires were then cut!"
"At this stage of affairs, what is the exact attitude of the Viceroys? Are they expected to follow the example set in Chihli and com- mence aggressive operations ?"
*Speaking for myself, my first duty is to protect life and property and to maintain order within my jurisdiction. I shall do nothing aggressive unless ordered, but keep quiet and try to protect foreigners and foreign property."
His Excellency then asked what was the general opinion with regard to China in the - present crisis.
The interviewer replied that according to ministerial statements made in Europe the first object of the Powers was to restore order in China. Certainly Great Britain and America desired nothing more than adequate protection for their subjects and freedom to trade. They sought no territory. His Excellency said he believed that of those two powers.
Neither did he think that Russia wanted territory, though as an Englishman, it might be natural for me to imply it.
•
"What is the remedy for the present state of affairs, your Excellency?"
My
"I cannot say exactly what will be done until I see the Empress-Dowager. opinion is, that first we must try to suppress these Boxers. That will be done by behead- ing their leaders and dispersing their fol- lowers, who are ignorant people and know nothing. Secondly, I believe I can make peace with the foreign Powers in a friendly
way.
""
Do you think that by your leaving Canton a rebellion, far more serious than the trouble in the north, is likely to break out here?"
"I cannot guarantee to say that there will not be a rebellion. I, of course, cannot be sure of what may happen. I do not believe there will be perfect peace, though there may not be a great deal of trouble, and no serious rebellion. Before I take my departure I will give orders to all my officers to do their best to preserve order. I have tried my best to crush the secret societies in these two provinces, but I regret to say that some of the leaders have run away. Most of them hide themselves in Hongkong and Singapore, where they keep quiet. After my departure perhaps many of these men will return and cause trouble."
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His Excellency then discussed several things, and the impression of his interviewer was that Li was confident he could restore order in the north and successfully settle the matter with the Foreign Powers. He said he had been Viceroy of Chilli for thirty years without a rebellion and he was san- guine he could deal with the matter.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
will have the memory of many executions since his present viceroyalty, some say 2,000, to support it.
One could not fail to be impressed with the appearance, the confidence and dignity of this veteran and powerful official, who at the age of 76 has been again found indis- pensable by a capricious mistress in prop- ping up a tottering Empire.
H. E. said he would leave Hongkong on the 27th inst. by the Empress of India, going to Shanghai and thence probably to Peitaiho. He was anxiously awaiting official news.
ALFRED CUNNINGHAM.
THE CRISIS IN CHINA.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
SHANGHAI, 22nd June, 11 a.m. Chefoo reports that yesterday the Nash- ville brought 33 American refugees from Peitaiho.
Tientsin has been bombarded for two days with forty-pounders. The casualties amount to 100. The United States Consu- late has been destroyed.
No less than 20,000 troops are needed. No news whatever has come from Peking.
SHANGHAI, 22nd June, 4.40 p.m.
It is officially reported from Chefoo to- day that Tientsin has undergone an incessant | bombardment by the Chinese regular troops. The Concession has been nearly all burnt down.
It is believed he is also fairly confident of order being maintained in the two Kwangs, for he goes away in greater power than ever, he leaves his own generals and other officers behind him, and as he is greatly feared by the people his shadow will remain. That may not be so mighty as his presence, but it'
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The Russian troops at the railway station are hard pressed. Reinforcements are most urgently needed.
The railway is open between Tongku and Chanlianchang. The Chinese fleet are all taking refuge at Shanghai (Woosung). The Daphne has arrived at Shanghai.
SHANGHAI, 23rd June, 11.4 a.m. The War Office notifies the appointment of Colonel A. R. F. Dorward, R. E., D. S. O., to be Brigadier General in command of the military forces at Taku. Weihaiwei will probably be the base of action. Commander Gaunt, R. N., resumes his command of the Naval Establishment, and Major C. E. A defence scheme has been arranged for Weihaiwei. The country around is quiet.
SHANGHAI, 23rd June, 4.20 p.m. A Russian force, with some British, Americans, and Germans, has left Taku to relieve Tientsin.
SHANGHAI, 25th June, 11.22 a.m.
The Humber arrived at Chefoo on Satur- day night from Peitaiho, bringing thirty refu- gees, including Major Parsons and his wife, and Messrs. Kinder (Engineer-in-chief of the Imperial Chinese Railways) and Ricketts. The guard has been withdrawn from Pei-
taiho.
Two unsuccessful attempts have been made to relieve Tientsin, the first by the Russians, the second by the Germans. A force from H.M.S. Terrible has now gone to Tientsin.
No news is to hand yet, and grave fears are entertained about Admiral Seymour and his force.
CANTON, 25th June, 2.25 p.m.
Li Hung-chang will not leave for the
North.
SHANGHAI, 25th June, 9.53 p.m. A Shantung telegram received by the French Consul here states that three thou- sand Manchus and eight thousand of Go- vernor Yuan's troops are making a forced march through Shangtung to Peking.
Two Jesuit fathers have been murdered at Hsien-hsien in Chihli
SHANGHAI, 25th June, 10.20 p.m. Newchwang reports that on Saturday the Chinese Railway between Tientsin and Newchwang was destroyed in several places. Kinchow and Liaoyang have arrived at The engineers and the missionaries from
Newchwang.
There is only a Russian gunboat at present in the harbour. It is rumoured that 5,000 Imperial troops are advancing from Moukden. 85 native cavalry have arrived.
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SHANGHAI, 26th June, 9‹P.M.
A combined force of two thousand men relieved Tientsin on Saturday, 23rd inst., after silencing the guns of the arsenal and breaking through the Chinese lines.
The Russians lost four killed and thirty- wounded. The other nations suffered a slight loss.
Admiral Seymour's force is reported to be surrounded by Boxers and Chinese regu lar troops ten miles from Tientsins and he is hampered by his sick and wounded.
Assistance was sent to him on Sunday, 24th instant.
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It is rumoured concerning Peking that the foreigners there were sent out with a Chi- nese guard, perhaps with Admiral Seymour. Three thousand Japanese are now landing at Taku.
The Empress-Dowager has ordered the Viceroy at Wuchang to defend Hukuang [the collective title of the two provinces Hupeh and Hunan] against the rebels and to send troops to Peking.
Viceroy Chang Chihtung is sending 3,000 untrained soldiers to Peking, but is keeping the foreign-drilled troops at Wuchang.
We received on the 27th inst. official information from Canton to the effect that H.E. Li Hung-chang will remain in Canton for the present and will not go up to Peking" unless he is ordered again to do so by Im- perial decree. H.E. was not officially or- dered to remain and has wired to Peking through the Governor of Shantung four times, and if his advice is urgently needed in the Capital an order to that effect will come within a week.
SHANGHAI, 28th June, 4.30 p.m. Admiral Seymour has been relieved and has returned to Tientsin. His force has lost 62 killed and 312 wounded. No definite news is to hand from Peking.
The accounts of the damage done to Tient- sin are greatly exaggerated. Probably there. have been no casualties. Only the new Concession has been damaged. The bom. barding, however, is continuing.
Mr. Kinder has returned from Chefoo to-
day to Taku with his staff and is getting ready to repair the railway.
There are sixteen thousand troops al- together now landed by the Powers at Taku.
SHANGHAI, 28th June, 9 p.m." It is reported on good Chinese authority that the Imperial Government is alarmed at the foreign preparations.
Edicts have been issued ordering the sum- mary suppression of the Boxers and the pro- tection of the foreign Legations at all costs.
A local German firm received the following: telegram from the North on the morning of the 28th inst., which they kindly placed at our disposal:
SHANGHAI, 28th June 1.3 p.m. Tientsin news is exaggerated. It is al- most certain nobody is wounded. There has only been destruction in the extra (new)
concession.
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