An interesting letter--Mormon habits--Chinese prophecies--Proffered hospitality declined--An armed train to proceed to Yangtsun--Shelling of the Settlement by the Chinese--The enemy repulsed--Attack on the Military College--A gratifying despatch.

At 3.30 +A.M.+ the alarm was given, and what happened afterwards is told in the quaint and interesting letter here appended, written by a Chinaman who had apparently been educated in Europe or America. His education had evidently not included the suppression of Mormon customs.

The letter was found lying on the floor of a deserted house, and had not been posted:

+Tientsin+, May 20 (Chinese).

“+My dear Wife+,

“If you were here last night you would have been scared to death. At about eleven o’clock last night the Boxers set fire to several different places, four of which are small chapels, and at the same time they attacked the Tientsin railway station. Fortunately the Russian troops went across the river opposite the Railway Station and fought with them. Their fight caused the Boxers forty-five killed and many wounded. The dead bodies are still lying about the Tientsin Station. At about half-past one +A.M.+ this morning the Boxers gave another fight to the foreign troops very near my house, but the troops drove them off after firing several big guns at them. It is said by the troops that more than four hundred Boxers had been killed last night and this morning. Sixteen of the Boxers have been caught alive and are now in the Russian camp opposite the railway yard. I expect another fight to-night. All are frightened to-day, and nearly all of my neighbours have moved to-day to ---- for safety, where there are enough English soldiers for protection.

“My Canton wife has gone there too, with others. I do not know whether they have space enough or not for sleeping, as I see the rooms in ---- are already overcrowded. Our woman-servant went home at two o’clock this afternoon, and ---- and myself are at home to look after my things. Nearly all the natives have run away. All the shops in Tze-Chu-Cin stopped business, and their doors are closed. Cooks ran away, and many foreigners have to suffer hunger because no native boys are willing to stay in the settlement. A tub of water costs ten cents, and a rickshaw from here to the Railway Station costs half a dollar!

“The Tientsin Station is safe, but only special trains run to Tong-ku and back to-day. It makes one sorry to see the sudden change of Tientsin. The market is totally stopped, and it is very hard to find a coolie to carry things. I am glad I have not the least fear, as the troops are fully prepared to fight with the Boxers. I do not know yet how the change will be to-morrow, but I can almost assure you that the foreign settlement is safe. I shall write you again to-morrow night about what may happen. Don’t be anxious about me, as I am O.K. here and will do what is safe. Some one tried to go down to Shanghai to-day, but no train could take them down to Tong-ku, and there are only steamers outside the bar, as all the merchant ships have been ordered to leave the wharves. I shall do my best, and if possible go to Shanghai; but I think the affairs will be quiet in a few days. Be careful of your health, and do not worry about me.

[Sidenote: A REPAIRING PARTY]

“Your loving husband,

“+Y. F. Hg.+

“Written 8.40 +P.M.+, 20th May, 26th year of Kwang Su.”

(Corresponding to June 15, 1900.)[6]

[6] The dashes in the text represent names of places and people written in Chinese characters in the original letter.

Our Mormon Chinese friend was not absolutely right in his prophecies, although quite correct in his account of past events. Perhaps he purposely understated the truth so as to avoid unnecessarily alarming his unspecified wife.

As we have already seen, Mr. Carles, the British Consul in Tientsin, had cabled to Lord Salisbury that the Viceroy’s conduct had been very correct, and much telegraphing took place from London to offer shelter on board a British man-of-war to the Viceroy in token of gratitude, if he deemed his life in danger. Whether of his own will or by compulsion, he abstained from accepting the proffered hospitality.

On the 17th, at six o’clock, an armed train with a repairing party, unaware of Seymour’s plight, proceeded towards Yangtsun in order to repair the line. They were first engaged by the Boxers, then fired upon by Imperial troops, and eventually had to beat a retreat. In the afternoon, at three o’clock, began the shelling of the Settlement by the Chinese, who did considerable damage.

Attacks were made from different points, but the enemy was repulsed. It may be noted that in the morning of the same day (at 2 +A.M.+) the Taku and Tongku forts had been taken by the Allies.

An attack on the Military College was successfully carried out by 175 men (British, Germans, Italians, and Austrians), who made short work of the defenders, and destroyed the premises, with its rich store of ammunition, rifles, and guns.

It is most gratifying to find in Mr. Carles’ despatch to Lord Salisbury of June 21 the following passage:

“The behaviour of the Russians, who were throughout the day engaged in various quarters, was splendid, and their large force and heavy field guns, of which they had four, saved the situation. During the day (June 17) all (nationalities) were engaged on their respective sections. The following is the list of casualties: Russians, 7 killed, 5 wounded; British, 1 killed, 5 wounded; Italians, 2 wounded; Germans, 1 killed.”

[Sidenote: A BOLD ATTACK]

In the evening the Chinese made another bold but unsuccessful attack, with the object of seizing the pontoon bridge leading to the station. They lost heavily. One of their Generals was reported killed in this engagement.