HC Deb 30 July 1900 vol 87 c16
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)

Has the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs any news from China?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

We have no direct news concerning the fate of the Legations, but the following telegrams have been received from Her Majesty's Consul at Tientsin, dated July 25th and 27th respectively— July 25th.—It is reported by messenger who failed to deliver letter to Legation that according to what he heard in Peking, no tiring on Legation occurred between July 15th and July 19th. He found strong body of troops composed almost entirely of Jung-lu's men all round Legation. He say Chinese are in force at Pei-tsang, that river is blocked there by sunken craft, and that breach in left bank, in order to flood country to eastward, has been made. July 27th.—A letter dated Peking, July 22nd, has been received from Japanese colonel. Since July 17th there had been no firing on Legation. As to this I notice that greater details are given in the press than have reached Her Majesty's Government.