The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-11-15
A MILLION CHINESE
HOMELESS.
Suffering and Death Will Result
From the Destruction of Tien-
tsin During Severe Winter.
PRECIOUS LOOT FROM PALACES
Profitable Pastime of Foreigners at Pc
king and Tientsin.


While Tientsin is under military law
Provisional Government has been organ
lied and is working very well. All per
sons charged with crime are given fai
trial before Mr.. Emmons, an American
business man and old resident of TientSin
as Judge. Young Mr.. DENLY, an Ameri
can also, and son of Col. Charles b. Den
by. is executive of the Provisional Govern
ment Four Cinnamon We're sentenced t
death last week; two were shot for steal
ing and two beheaded for being Boxer
Captains.
A MILLION CHINESE DISAPPEAR.
Before the Boxer uprising Tientsin hat
a population of 1,250,OOO, only 500 OF
whom were Europeans. When the Allie.
took possession, after the defeat of the
Chinese Imperial troops, more than mil
lion Chinese had disappeared. Thousands
were burned or killed; the others scattered
throughout the country, carrying what
they could of their effects with them. The
entire Chinese (walled) city was destroyed
by the allied troops after desperately
fought battle.
The lower and middle classes of Chinese
are returning to their burnt houses by
the thousands. They can be seen in
swarms conveying their belongings on
their backs and hauling their women and
children on jinrickshaws. Their general
appearance is one of commingled fear and
submissiyeness. They are afraid of vio-
lence from some of the soldiers. particu-
larry the Russians. They place themselves
under the protection of the Powers, secure
flag and place it in front of their houses
or go about the streets carrying it. Sev-
eral men have been arrested and punished
for selling flags lone did quite business
in United States flags at high prices, the
poor Cinnamon being willing to get one at
any price, and not knowing that he could
get protection and a flag without cost by
going to headquarters.
Business is paralyzed in Tientsin, and
there is sure to be a great famine there
this Winter among the homeless million.
The Winters are severe and long.
ARMY OFFICERS SUPREME.
ssearly all of the many beautiful resi-
dences in the British and French quarter
OF tie city, as well as the business houses,
have been taken possession of by the vari-
Gus armies as quarters. When an army
officer wants Il property he simply walks
up and places the flag of his country over
it, and he has it regardless of whether it
is a residence or business establishment.
Some of the good people of Tientsin are
beginning to think that military necesSi-
ty'' is a broad term and very much abused.
There has been great rivalry between
the European Powers to get possession Of
nil the choice properties for Winter quar-
tiers. Few of the European Powers pay
any, rent. The United States rents and
pays for any building it occupies, and will
take no property on any other terms and
without fair bargain. This has brought
great praises to our Government by the
bankers and business men. The European
military men, however, laugh at us, and
think we are new in the business.
Many of our officers on the ground here,
seeing other Nations get possession of the
choice quarters, are apt to criticise our
policy Of no territory in China; only re-
lieve American citizens, etc" They say
that we should have had some one here
to hoist flags over buildings. instead of
now having to beg them from and, besides,
pay the Germans and others big rental
for what they do not own.
MISSIONARIES DESERT CHINA.
All the women and the children have
left Tientsin. The most of them are
living in Japan for the present, and will
remain until matters are settled. japanese
cities are filed with people from all parts
of China. The missionaries have practi-
caIly left China. Some have gone to ia
pan. but many are going home. Mission
aries think their work here has ended for
a year or two at least. Most Of the val
liable Mission property, as well as the per
sonal effects of the missionaries, has been
destroyed. No correct estimate of the
number OF missionaries who have been
murdered throughout the interior of China
can be made, but the figure will run be-
yond $50 white missionaries and thou.
sands of native Christians.
LooTING BECOMES FASHIONABLE.
L.ooting has become very fashionable
both for pastme and profit, in Tientsin
and Picking. Reputable business men do
not hesitate to tell you about the choice
loot they secure each day. Even mission
aries are engaged in the work. Many spec
ulators, some of them bankers, from
Shanghai and Hong Kong, have arrived in
large numbers with unlimited money with
which to purchase loot
Much silver has been secured by hooters
which they have Sold to spectators, in or.
der TO get quick and ready money. They
of course, sold at very low price, and some
of the spectators are said TO have made
fortunes already
Curios and Anticipated pottery, weapons
flags garments, etc, particularly those
coming from the Imperial Palace and the
Temple of Heaven" have been sought by
spectators.
Ii is told here that an American bought
what he thought was valuable string OF
pearls coming from the Imperial Palace
as represented. de was not long in learn
ing that he had been duped-he had pur
chased only cheap limitations of pearls
worth wooden" dollar or two.
1t is anticipated that American ant
European cities will be flooded with wha
is represented to be curios secured from
the Imperial Palace or elsewhere in Pc
king. and it will be well for intending pur
chasers 10 exercise great caution.
1t is claimed that many people OF higl
standing, including one United States Con
sui, have become quite wealthy in som
mysterious way as one of the results O
this war. But no one here pretends +
criticise for looting, for everyone desire
the privilege in this opportune time.
Several of the Powers have large &C
eumulations of war prizes" the Unite
States hpinQ credited with ha wing at Lon c