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Russland.

15. (28.) Juni

Nr. 12336. Cabinet de Tôkiô, d'autant plus qu'il est tout disposé à faire concorder cette action avec celle des autres Puissances. Qant aux intentions de la Russie, le Gouvernement Impérial les a fait connaître dans le communiqué officiel récemment publié.

1900.

Nr. 12337.

Grofsbritannien.

Nr. 12337. GROSSBRITANNIEN.

Admiralität. Bericht über seine Expedition.

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Admiral Seymour an die

Chefoo, June 29, 1900. (June 29.)

(Telegraphic.) | Have returned Tient-sin with force, unable to reach Peking by rail. On the 13th June two attacks on advanced guard made by 27. Juni 1900. Boxers, repulsed with considerable loss to Boxers, none our side. 14th June Boxers attacked train at Langfang in large numbers with great determination, but were repelled with loss of about 100 killed. Our loss, five Italians. || Same afternoon Boxers attacked British guard left to protect Lofa Station. Reinforcements were sent back and enenmy driven off, 100 being killed two of our seamen wounded. Guards pushed forward to Anting, engaged enemy 13th and 14th June, inflicting loss of 175 no casualties our side. || Extensive destruction of railway in our front having made further advance by rail impossible, it was decided, 16th June, to return Yangtsun, where proposed to organize advance by river to Peking. | After my departure from Langfang two trains left to follow on were attacked 18th June by Boxers and Imperial troops from Peking, who lost 400 to 500 killed. Our casualties: six killed, 48 wounded. These trains joined me Yangtsun same evening. Railway at Yangtsun found entirely demolished, and train immovable, forces short of provisions, and hampered with wounded, forcing us to withdraw on Tien-tsin, with which there had been no communication for six days, and supplies cut off 19th June, wounded and necessaries started by boats, forces marching alongside river. || Opposition experienced during whole course of river from nearly every village, rebels when defeated in one village retiring on next, and skilfully retarding advance by occupying well-selected positions, from which they had to be forced, often at point of bayonet, in face of galling fire difficult to locate. | 23rd June made night march, arriving at daylight opposide Imperial Armoury, above Tien-tsin, where, after friendly advances, treacherous heavy fire was opened while men were exposed on opposite bank. || Enemy kept in check by rifle fire in front, while position was turned by party of marines and seamen under Major Johnstone, who rushed and occupied one of salied points, seizing a gun. || Germans lower down silenced two guns, then crossed river, capturing them. Armoury then occupied by combined forces. Determined attempt to retake it made same and following days, unsuccesful. Found immense stores of guns, arms, ammunition, latest pattern. || Several guns mounted for our defence and shelled Chinese forts lower down having found ammunition and rice could have held out some days, but being hampered

Grois

by large number of wounded, sent to Tien-tsin so ask for relieving force, Nr. 12337. which arrived morning of 25th June. Armoury evacuated, and forces arrived britannien. Tien-tsin, 26th June. On leaving armoury destroyed it by fire.

29. Juni 1900.

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Nr. 12338. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Konsul in Tientsin an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Vorschlag, mit der Zerstörung der kaiserlichen Mausoleen zu drohen.

Tien-tsin, vià Chefoo, June 29, 1900. (June 29.)

Grofs

(Telegraphic.) At a Consular meeting held to-day it was unanimously Nr. 12338. agreed to make the following suggestion to our respective Governments, viz., britannien. that the Chinese Government should be informed that in case the persons of 29.Juni 1900. the foreign Ministers are touched, the Mausolea of the dynasty will be destroyed by the European troops. The Commander-in-chief gave his support to this decision on the 26th instant, and it is to be communicated to all the Admirals.

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Nr. 12339. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Generalkonsul in Schanghai an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Geheimes kaiserliches Dekret an die chinesischen Vicekönige.

Shanghae, June 29, 1900. (June 30.)

Grofs

(Telegraphic.) || The following has been received from a reliable source, Nr. 12359. and the language of the Viceroy Liu and the Shanghae Taotai confirms its britannien. general terms: „The Viceroy has received through the Governor of Shantung 29. Juni 1900. a Secret Decree dated the 20th June. This Decree, which is very curiously worded, is considered by the Chinese as the testamentary command of a dying. Government. The Governors and Viceroys are ordered to protect the provinces under their administration, and to render assistance at the same time in the critical situation of affairs at Peking. The Chinese are of opinion that its language practically gives absolute authority to the Viceroys. |,,A message has been received by Li Hung-chang from Jung-lu dated the 21st June, telling him to pay no further attention to Decrees from the capital. In com

Grofs

Nr. 12339. bination with th Yang-tsze Viceroys, Li Hung-chang has agreed no longer to britannien, recognize the Peking Government. ||,,A copy of the Secret Decree is in my 29. Juni 1900. possession. The language employed is non committal, but I consider that Prince Tuan probably usurped the Imperial power about the 21st June. It is reported that Jung-lu is attempting to co-operate with the Chinese Viceroys and is opposed to him."

Nr. 12340. Grofsbritannien.

Nr. 12340. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Admiral Bruce an die Admiralität. Bericht über die Kämpfe bei Tientsin.

Via Chefoo, June 30, 1900.

(Telegraphic.) || The conduct of Commander Stewart, „Algerine", and Commander Lanz, „Iltis“ (German), at bombardment Taku forts magnificent, and 30. Juni 1900. elicited admiration of allied ships. || River route to Tien-tsin, 51 miles from Taku, now open. Railhead now 9 miles from Tien-tsin, and road inwards not (now?) quite safe. Communication with Commander-in-chief, Tien-tsin, difficult. Force with Cradock had to fight way into Tien-tsin. Cradock also Commander storming party previously forts at Taku. Fort which commanded river 13 miles above Taku was found deserted by Lieutenant and Commander Keyes, and blown up by him, leaving passage up the river free. Keyes reports to-day arsenal Tien-tsin captured 27th June. || Naval brigade losses: Five men killed. Lieutenant Colomb, ,,Endymion", slightly wounded; Gunner May and twenty-one men wounded. No further details. Warrender quite well, doing very good work, taking charge of all our forces on river and along lines of communication. | Vice-Admiral Alexieff, Governor-General of Port Arthur and Liaoting Province, Commander-in-chief of all Russian forces in the East, has just arrived on his way to Tien-tsin, taking supreme command of Russian forces. Captain Jellicoe shot through lung, doing very well.

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With 53 field guns, 36 machine guns.

No details yet of killed and wounded with Commander-in-chief.

Nr. 12341. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Botschafter in Berlin an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Die deutsche Re

gierung über die Entsendung der Japaner.

Berlin, July 1, 1900. (July 1.)

Grofs

(Telegraphic.) || With reference to your Lordship's telegram of the 26th June Nr. 12341. respecting the Japanese expedition, I have the honour to state that the German britannien. Government have sent me the following reply:- || No particulars ('modali- 1. Juli 1900. täten') of the proposed Japanese intervention are in their possession; they are unable to judge whether the interests of third Powers would be affected by it, or whether the responsibility of supporting it could be undertaken by Germany. || Order can be restored in China, and the Empire's existence and the peace of the world be continued only by the maintenance of the accord which has hitherto existed among the Powers. || „Germany would therefore only take part in the steps which Her Majesty's Government have proposed, if, from the outset, she felt certain that the above-mentioned indispensable accord would not be thereby endangered." || I am sending by post to-night copy and translation of the reply of the German Government.

Nr. 12342. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Generalkonsul in Schanghai an den Minister des Auswärtigen. In Peking dominiert Prinz Tuan.

Shanghae, July 1, 1900. (July 1.)

britannien.

(Telegraphic.) || This morning news has been received here from Peking Nr. 12342. up to the 26th ultimo; all the power is in the usurper Tuan's hands and the Grofssituation is very grave. The Empress-Dowager and the Emperor are both in 1. Juli 1900. Peking but powerless. Tung-fu-hsiang, the Mahommedan General with 1 5000 well-drilled Kansu men and Tuan with Manchu troops, are determined to resist foreign troops. Jung-lu beseeches foreign Powers to rescue their subjects while there is time. Viceroys and Governors of all the southern and central provinces have united to resist the usurper and ask for assurance from Powers that the war shall not spread south however bad the situation at Peking may become. I have again given them assurances that Her Majesty's Government will not land troops except in the north while the Chinese authorities continue to maintain order. News has reached Shêng from Poatingfu that German Minister has been murdered. I consider the position of foreigners in Peking extremely critical. They are said to have taken refuge at the British Legation.

Nr. 12343.

britannien.

Nr. 12343. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Konsul in Tschifu an den

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Minister des Auswärtigen. Ermordung des deutschen
Gesandten.

Chefoo, July 1, 1900. (July 1.)

(Telegraphic.) | On the 13th*) June the German Minister at Peking was

Grofs- murdered by native troops. On the 23th June there were only three Legations 1. Juli 1900. remaining. It is not stated which they were.

Nr. 12344.

britannien.

Nr. 12344. GROSSBRITANNIEN.

Der Botschafter in Rom an

den Minister des Auswärtigen. Äufserungen Vis

conti Venostas.

Rome, June 28, 1900. (July 2.)

My Lord, I asked M. Visconti-Venosta to-day what steps the Italian Grofs- Government intended to take with regard to events in China. || He said that 28 Juni 1900. they wished to take part in any concerted action that may be taken by the Powers for the protection of Europeans, and for the re-establishment of order. They could not contribute as largely to these ends as most of the other Powers interested in the Far East, but small contingents had already been landed from the Italian ships, and had acted with the international forces. There were at present only two Italian men-of-war in Chinese waters, but another was on its way, and two more would start in a few days, and would be provided with extra crews, so as to strengthen the ships already on the station and provide men for landing parties. Another vessel would be got ready with all dispatch. So that in a short time the Italian Squadron in Chinese waters would be composed of six vessels. It was not decided to send any soldiers at present, as it was uncertain whether they would be required, but, in the event of circumstances making it desirable that Peking or any other point should be occupied by an international force, Italy would be ready to send a contingent to take part in such occupation, and would reserve her decision as to any larger force that might be eventually required. || It was impossible at present to judge how far the movement in China was likely to spread, and what efforts might be required to cope with it. It was the wish of the Italian Government, M. Visconti-Venosta said, to cooperate with Great Britain and the other Powers, and he would be very glad to learn whether the course which they proposed to follow met with the concurrence and sympathy of Her Majesty's Government.

I have, &c. (Signed)

Currie.

*) Der deutsche Gesandte wurde am 20. Juni ermordet. Red.

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