§ MR. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any further information relating to the safety of British subjects in Peking and the progress of the relieving force.
§ *MR. BRODRICKI regret to say we have no authentic information. Our last communication from Sir Claude Mac-Donald is nine days old. The Admiral's force when last heard of seven days ago was between thirty and forty miles northwest of Tientsin and the same distance from Peking. Tientsin, which is thirty miles from Ta-ku, is now cut off from Ta-ku, and telegraphic messages from the latter place have to be conveyed by steamer to Chefu, a distance of about 250 miles. The latest news we have is a despatch from Rear-Admiral Bruce, which is as follows—
Ta-ku, viâ Chefoo, 21st June.—There has been no communication from the Commander-in-Chief for seven days nor with Tientsin for five days. Allies hold Ta-ku forts and Tong-ku securely, and they will advance for the relief of Tientsin when in sufficient strength. Troops. are expected from Hong Kong to-morrow, and 300 from Wei-hai-wei the day after to-morrow. It is believed that fighting is constantly go in, on round Tientsin. Our garrison there should be about 3,000 men. Following proclamation was agreed to this morning to be issued at once: 'The admirals and senior naval officers-of the allied Powers in China desire to make known to all Viceroys and authorities of the coasts and rivers, cities, and provinces of China that they intend to use armed force only against Boxers and people who oppose them on their march to Peking for the rescue of their fellow-countrymen.'