July 18. As Jung Lu had expressed a willingness to assist the foreigners, a messenger was sent to him requesting that supplies of fresh vegetables, eggs, meat, etc., might be sent to the legation for the women and children. This was promised, and watermelons and peaches have already been sent to the Japanese in the Su Wang Fu and to the Americans on the wall. The soldiers on the wall go on each other’s barriers and chat in the most friendly manner. There are great numbers of Boxers in the city, especially in the south city, but the troops are no longer in league with these. A messenger sent out by the Japanese minister on the 30th ult. returned to-day from Tientsin, bringing word that a mixed force of 33,300 would start from there for the relief of Peking about the 20th inst. The force is to consist of 24,000 Japanese, 4,000 Russian, 2,000 British, 1,500 American, 1,500 French, and 300 German troops. He reports that he left by the Ch’ihuamen (east gate) on June 30, proceeding to Tientsin by boat. He arrived at Tientsin on July 5, but was unable to enter the city, as it was surrounded by Chinese troops. He walked round the city gates, and found a force of Chinese, under General Chang, posted north of the railway station, cannonading a force of Japanese holding the ground south of the station. On July 9 General Chang was defeated, and he (the messenger) managed to get through the Japanese lines on July 12, and delivered the Japanese minister’s letter to the Japanese consul. While in Tientsin he gleaned the following news: That General Nieh was dead, that all the missionaries in Tientsin and outlying stations had left for home, and that the Taku forts were taken without difficulty by the foreigners on June 17. On July 14 the foreign troops took the native city of Tientsin, after a two days’ attack. On July 15 the messenger left Tientsin for Peking, being escorted by the Japanese to the “second bridge.” He returned to Peking by road. [Illustration: GORDON HALL In the cellar of this building all the women and children remained during the shelling of Tientsin by the Chinese troops. It is one of the most beautiful and attractive buildings in Tientsin, and in strange contrast with its Chinese surroundings.] Among other things he mentioned was that the Tunchou taotai had been lodged in the board of punishments, and that prior to his own arrival in Tientsin. No news of Peking had reached that place since about the end of June. We look for the troops about the 30th inst., if they have no fighting to do on the way. This explains why the government is so anxious to have peace in the capital at present. They are awaiting the issue of a contest between the relief force and the Chinese troops between here and Tientsin.