BLOODY WORK

It is officially reported that the bombardment of Tien Tsin with large guns continues incessantly. The foreign concessions have nearly all been burned and the American consulate has been razed to the ground. The Russians are occupying the railroad stations, but are hard pressed. Reinforcements are urgently needed. The casualties are heavy. The railroad is opened from Tong Tu to Ching Ling Chung, half way to Taku.

London, June 22. Lord Salisbury presided at a meeting of the cabinet specially summoned to consider the far eastern crisis. Prior to the meeting the French ambassador, M. Paul Cambon, and the Chinese minister, Sir Chin Ken Lo Feng Luh, paid a lengthy visit to the officials of the foreign office and it is expected important developments will be the outcome of the cabinet conference, as Lord Salisbury proceeded to Windsor after the meeting.

The apprehensions as to the fate of the Europeans cut off at Tien Tsin have been sharpened by Admiral Kempff's message, which was the first definite announcement of the bombardment and destruction of the foreign concessions.

But in spite of Shanghai's grim statement that the Chinese used 40 pounders and that 1,500 foreigners were massacred, there is no reason to conclude that the foreign colony has been unable to protect itself. A Shanghai dispatch reports that Tien Tsin was bombarded for two days, that the casualties were 100, that 5,000 international troops are there and that now that the allied commanders at Taku are hastily pushing forward a relief column it is hoped the worst apprehensions will soon be dispelled.

Another Shanghai dispatch announces that all the members of the foreign community of Pei Tai Hao have arrived at Chefoo on board the Nashville, but they left all their possessions behind them.

A dispatch from Shanghai says five Chinese warships passed Woo Sung and that officers of the British armed cruiser Undaunted visited the Chinese commanding officer and received an assurance that the ships were under orders to act against any "Boxer" rising.

The superintendent of foreign telegraphs has started for Chefoo to organize a service thence to Shanghai.

It is understood the admiralty has received a dispatch from the British naval commander in Chinese waters on the subject of heavy damage done to the foreign concessions at Tien Tsin and the casualties of the international forces. This has not yet been published. The admiralty sent orders to Portsmouth and Plymouth to hold detachments of marine artillery and infantry in instant readiness for service in China.

It is thought in some quarters that Li Hung Chang's failure to go to Peking indicates that he is aware the situation is so bad that it is impossible for him to overcome the difficulties.