The messenger’s story has been well arranged all along, and has agreed very well with the letter received by the Japanese minister on July 18. As we have had no later information (the British consul’s letter gave none) as to the movements of the army, we have believed just what the Chinaman told us, and as long as he was getting paid for it he would give us any kind of rumors.
August 2. Extracts from various letters received from Tientsin: Mr. E. B. Drew to Sir Robert Hart, July 28. “Yours of 21st wired home. Keep heart; aid coming early. Troops pouring in. Enemy is at Peits’ang. Japs and Russians in his front. Very little rain. Yangtzu valley agitated. Lu and Chang trying to keep order. Li Hung Chang at Shanghai; doubtful if he is coming to Chihli. Tientsin is governed by a joint foreign commission. Manchuria rising against foreigners. Russians, hands full there. Newchwang much disturbed. Germany and America each sending 15,000 men, Italy 5,000—Canton, west river. Ichang threatening. Earnestly hope rescue of you all.”
Mr. E. K. Lowry to Mrs. Lowry, July 30. “Bearer arrived last Friday evening, with news from Peking.... The 9th and 14th regiments, United States, already at Tientsin; 6th cavalry at Taku on its way up. There was fighting at Piets’ang this morning. Everything quiet here now. Word came to-day that the Boxers are killing Christians at Tsunhua, Shanhaikuan, and many other places. Russians and imperial troops have fought at Chinhau. Tientsin is full of foreign soldiers and more are coming all the time. Railroad open between here and Tangku. Many ladies and children were taken to the United States by the transport Logan. All property at Peitaiho has been destroyed”.
BALED TEA READY FOR SHIPMENT TO RUSSIA
Some idea of the great quantities of tea produced, and of the method of packing, may be gathered from this picture.
Consul Ragsdale to Mr. Conger, July 28. “Had lost all hope of ever seeing you again. Prospect now brighter. We had thirty days’ shelling here, nine days’ siege—thought that bad enough. Scarcely a house escaped damage. Excitement at home intense, of course. Our prayers and hope are for your speedy rescue. Advance of troops to-morrow probable.”
From J. S. Mallory, Lieutenant-colonel 41st U. S. Infantry. “A relief column of 10,000 is on the point of starting for Peking; more to follow. God grant they may be in time.”
Colonel Warren to Captain Myers. “Have been trying to reach you ever since June 21. Relieved the foreign settlement June 23. Seymour, June 24. Captured east arsenal June 26; captured west arsenal July 10; captured Tientsin city July 14. Will advance in two days. Column 10,000 strong,—English, American and Japanese; 40,000 more following in a few days. Hold on by all means. First column will support you and divert enemy from you. There will be eight regiments of United States infantry, three of cavalry and two batteries of artillery; also five hundred marines. Infantry will be in the first column. Enemy strongly intrenched seventeen miles north of here (Yangtsun), and at two points farther on.”