He reports that he left by the Ch’ihuamen (east gate) on June 30, proceeding to Tientsin by boat. He arrived at Tientsin on July 5, but was unable to enter the city, as it was surrounded by Chinese troops. He walked round the city gates, and found a force of Chinese, under General Chang, posted north of the railway station, cannonading a force of Japanese holding the ground south of the station.
On July 9 General Chang was defeated, and he (the messenger) managed to get through the Japanese lines on July 12, and delivered the Japanese minister’s letter to the Japanese consul.
While in Tientsin he gleaned the following news: That General Nieh was dead, that all the missionaries in Tientsin and outlying stations had left for home, and that the Taku forts were taken without difficulty by the foreigners on June 17. On July 14 the foreign troops took the native city of Tientsin, after a two days’ attack. On July 15 the messenger left Tientsin for Peking, being escorted by the Japanese to the “second bridge.” He returned to Peking by road.
GORDON HALL
In the cellar of this building all the women and children remained during the shelling of Tientsin by the Chinese troops. It is one of the most beautiful and attractive buildings in Tientsin, and in strange contrast with its Chinese surroundings.
Among other things he mentioned was that the Tunchou taotai had been lodged in the board of punishments, and that prior to his own arrival in Tientsin. No news of Peking had reached that place since about the end of June.
We look for the troops about the 30th inst., if they have no fighting to do on the way. This explains why the government is so anxious to have peace in the capital at present. They are awaiting the issue of a contest between the relief force and the Chinese troops between here and Tientsin.
If our troops are victorious, as of course they will be, unless outnumbered overwhelmingly, the government will say they have done all in their power to stop the fighting, but have not been able to control their troops until now. If our troops are defeated they will turn on us and slaughter us. In the meantime we have a resting spell of a few days.
Bulletin: Précis of further correspondence between the British minister and “Prince Ching and others.”