Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-25

1t, but they insisted with many gestures
that the American troops could not head
the line with the consent of France. The
American officers took it good naturedly
and gave up the coveted post. Russia step
ped In very quietly and intimated that she
hadn't the least objection in the world to
heading the allied army.
Russia Takes the Lead.
Before any one quite realized it, it was
all settled in the Muscovite's favor. 1t is
a way Russia has She is developing that
manner strongly here. She takes the lead
as If it belonged to her. Sometimes the
officers of the American, Japanese and
English contingents get thoughtful streak
and wonder If they are here merely on
tolerance, and are being permitted to fight
the car battles.
In this instance there is no doubt that
France acting a part suggested secret
ly by Russia. The French troops haven't
shown up very we'll in China. They are
dirty, mostly incompetent and are not
selling especially high in the pools for
courage. If they are fair sample Of the
army that will fight the tri-colors' battles
in the future, then they will need allies
and need them badly. 1t begins to look as
If the French officials here realize this, and
they are cheerfully playing the role of
cats-paw on the future chance that the
bears paw will smite in their favor. 80
far the French have done little in China
outside of Russias dirty work.
But the procession got WITHOUT d
fight, or even any audible hard words.
There was sort Of grim harmony that
would have made an international cymc
grin. few of US were permitted to get up
to the great pure gate. There were, OF
course scores of civilians who wanted to
go with the line, but with the exception OF
the members Of the diplomatic corps and
few missionaries they were firmly repress-
ed Even correspondents who secured the
coveted favor were obliged to go with the
troops of the nations to which they be-
longed, and the respective commanders
were held responsible for the scribes.
Early in the morning on Tuesday all was
in readiness. Twenty-one guns doomed out.
There came burst Of music, some cheers,
and forward rang 'out in polyglot Sc
auence along the line. Up at the head of
the line flew the gorgeous flags of the Rus
sian troops and banners bearing the devices
of saints. Every man wore his pest uni
form of simple but rich CLOTH with white
coats and elegant facings. The Russians
were making the most of the spectacle. But
many of the men in the line shuftied and
shambled. Altogether, the Russian contin-
gent did not march well. Despite the fine
ness Of their uniforms, they looked slouchy;
many Of them were grtnning; others made
the onlooker think of surly dogs.
The Superb Little Japs.
The Russians got past at last. Then came
the natty, brave, jolly little Japs, marching
with swift cadence on account Of the short
ness Of their legs. A band of buglers led
them. Every button was respondent, every
piece absolutely immaculate. They had
been fighting f1ercely for weeks, and had
had to put up with all kind Of hardships,
but they looked like tailors' models. No,
that is unjust-they looked like men, and
very splendid article at that. There is
something about these Japs that makes
man who loves soldiers want to cheer.
Their movements are like machinery. They
never know fear, or. If they do, they are
adopts at concealng the fact. Even the
humblest private soldier has the manners Of
gentleman. Whoever saw a Japanese
soldier angry? 1t did me good to see these
umphal march. The only pity was that
they had to tail such troops as the Rus
slams.
Here come the Enelishmen Their con-
tingent is not imposing numerically, but the
men who are in line are magnificent fell
lows. There is sturdy swing to their
march. The English are undoubtedly the
best show marchers in the world. Their
moves by; the men succeed in Concealing
the wonder that is in their minds whether
there will be halt-a chance to loot when
the halt Is made in the Forbidden City.
Oh, the loot that is waiting ahead in the
precincts Of that place of sacred tradition!
The Chinese have been telling the soldiers
that In the Forbidden City the pillars of
the buildings are of gold and the roofs of
silver, and that these metals are Studio
with gems. OF course. the most stupid SOL
der knows better than to believe such rot !;
| the imperial palaces must contain trsns-
ures richer than all the loot that has been
found from Taku to Pekfn.
And the Russians are already in the
sacred precincts. II there Is any looting to
| be done, perhaps the Russians are already
getting the cream of it. Was that why the
| Russians plotted to lead? The English sol
| diers are proving their soldierly self-con-
| tainment as they approach the Great Pure
Gate.
Inside the Gate.
| And at last they are inside There are
| three nations now in that city where for
| eign troops have never been before The
| Chinese have always believed that if such
| a proclamation were attempted heaven and
| hades would do all manner of things to the
| decorators. Throughout Pekin at this mo-
| ment all the Chinese who know what Is
| happening are Quaking with dread over the
awful thing that the foreign devils are do
ing. :
Now here's something to thrill the Ameri-