Secretary for Foreizn Adairs whether he busd received any further information relat ing to the safety of British subjects Peking and the progress of the relieving Mr. Brodrick: I regret v" say we have no authentic information, Our last communication from Sir Claude Macdonald is niue days o'd. The Admiral's force when last heard of seven days ago was between thirty and forty miles north-west of Tientsin, and the same distance fom Peking. Tientsin, which is thirty miles from Taks, is now cut off from Taku, and telegraphic messages from the latter place have to be conveyed by steamer to Chefoo, a distance of about 250 miles. The latest news we have is a dispatch from Rear-Admiral Bruce, which is as follows:—" Taku, vid Chefoo, June 2st. Thers has been no communiextion from the Command, Chief for seven days, nor with Tientsin for Give days. Allies hold Taku forts and Tangku securely, and they will advance for the relief of Tientsin when in sutlicient strength. Troops are expected from Hongkong to-morrow, and 300 from Weihaiwei the day after to-morrow. It is believed that fighting is constantly going on round Tientsin. Our garrison there should be Following proclamation morning to be issued Imirals and savior naval officers of the Allied Powers in China desire to make known to all the Viceroys and authorities of the coasts and rivers, cities, and provinces of China that they intend to use armed force only against "Boxers" and peoples who oppose them on their march 10 Peking for the rescue of their fellow-countrymen.'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.