“Your letter of the 22d received. Departure of troops from Tientsin delayed by difficulties of transportation, but advance will be made in two or three days. Will write again as soon as estimated date of arrival at Peking is fixed.” [Illustration: TEA CARAVAN RESTING OUTSIDE OF CITY WALL One might imagine this picture to illustrate a scene in Bible times, in Palestine or Egypt; but time does not make any changes in China; nothing changes there, save through the influence of outside aggression. Here is a caravan from the interior of Asia, halted outside the city wall for entrance in the morning. The burdens have been taken from the camels and the beasts have settled for rest.] A somewhat mangled but authentic telegram has been received from London. The telegram is undated, but was sent off probably between the 21st and 24th ult. It refers to a letter written by the Japanese minister about June 29, and to a telegram from the United States minister, dated July 18, from which it may be inferred that the state of affairs here on the latter date was everywhere known. It also says that the Chinese troops, after severe fighting, were finally routed from Tientsin on the 15th ult., and that arrangements for our relief were being hastened. It further asks if the Chinese government is protecting us and supplying provisions, etc.! Very few provisions have been sent in to-day. A desultory firing has been kept up all the time from the north bridge and the Mongol market. The messenger, who has been bringing in the previous rumors of the progress of the troops, said that they had been driven back from Changchiawan to Auping. As the letter from Tientsin has proved him an arrant liar, in future no more attention will be paid to his stories. It is a great disappointment, after being told that the relief were within two days of us, to hear that they have not yet started and have not yet fixed a date for starting. The messenger’s story has been well arranged all along, and has agreed very well with the letter received by the Japanese minister on July 18. As we have had no later information (the British consul’s letter gave none) as to the movements of the army, we have believed just what the Chinaman told us, and as long as he was getting paid for it he would give us any kind of rumors. August 2. Extracts from various letters received from Tientsin: Mr. E. B. Drew to Sir Robert Hart, July 28. “Yours of 21st wired home. Keep heart; aid coming early. Troops pouring in. Enemy is at Peits’ang. Japs and Russians in his front. Very little rain. Yangtzu valley agitated. Lu and Chang trying to keep order. Li Hung Chang at Shanghai; doubtful if he is coming to Chihli. Tientsin is governed by a joint foreign commission. Manchuria rising against foreigners. Russians, hands full there. Newchwang much disturbed. Germany and America each sending 15,000 men, Italy 5,000—Canton, west river. Ichang threatening. Earnestly hope rescue of you all.”