Lord Pauncefote to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram.]

Telegram received from Lord Salisbury to-day to following effect: British minister sends message dated July 21. Legation repeatedly attacked up to July 16, since which date armistice, but cordon strictly drawn both sides. Chinese barricades are close to European, and all women and children are in British legation, with food sufficient for two weeks at most. He reports ammunition running short. Casualties 62 up to that date. The minister begs that important relief force should when near Pekin advance rapidly to prevent attack by retreating Chinese on British legation. He adds that they had refused demand on the part of the Chinese to proceed to Tientsin.

The British rear-admiral states that General Alexieff was contemplating advance on Pekin.

Pauncefote.