The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-11
PEKIN LOOTED.
Allied Armies Have Left Little OF
Value Outside the Palace.

TCopyright. 1900, by Associated Press.1
Shanghai, Sept. 1.-THE Taku steamer
which has arrived here brings reports of
the latest events in Pekin. These advices
are to the effect that the greatest har-
znony prevails among the officers of the
allies. who treat each other with extreme
courtesy and that the soldiers are living
as though members of one army. Late
arrivals say that if any clash occurs
during the occupation Of Pekin it will be
brought on by the diplomats in Europe
and not by the soldiers in the field.
The march through the palace was
historic event. Every army was repre-
sented. The Russians led and the troops
of other nationalities followed in the or
der previously reported by cable Each
regiment Of Americans who partcipa-
ted in the relief of Pekin was represent
ed by about $50 men. General Chanee'
General Barry and other officers leading
A Russian band and the Sikhs, bagpipeS
played national airs while the troops
filed through the ground and buildings
There were many eunuchs attached 10
the palace remaining and they stood by
looking as though they were attending
a funeral They were evidently deeply
humiIiated
After the procession, which began to
move at O'Clock in the morning and
was an hour and a half in passing
through the grounds, a party OF civilians
including the legation ladies ana some
prominent missionaries were admitted.
Tea was served to them, and the palace
was inspected. The most remarkable
features of the buildings are said to be
the gilded exterior staircases, carved
from single stones with dragons, lions
and other ornaments. The empress bed
is trimmed with solid gold. After the
inspection the palace gates were again
closed and no one was permitted 10 en-
The troops arriving here are forwarded
to Pekin as fast as they land. The min
listers remain in Pelxin- The city has
been entirely looted. except the palace,
and auction sales of loot, in which valu-
able silks, furs, and bronzes are the prin-
cipal articles. are held daily. The chief
bidders at these sales are army officers.
The newspaper correspondents had a
controversy with the officers, who at
first proposed that no correspondent
should be admitted to the palace with
the procession, but the press representa-
tives were finally allowed to accompany
the troops
The Chinese forts at Pei Tsang near
Taxu, are still undisturbed. The British
made a reconnaissance in that vicinity
but the British commander says he will
remain passive unless he is attacked,
when he must fight in order to preserve
his self-respect The Russians are ex-
pected to attack soon, but they lack
sufficient artillery for their purpose.
A Russian scouting party was blown
up by a mine near the fort and several
of its members were killed
The commanders of the Chinese forts
at Che-FoO are greatly disturbed by re-
ports that the Germans propose taking
the forts and they are threatening to
defend them to the end The heavily
manned Krupps in the foreign settle
ment will be destroyed if a fight occurs.
The United States battleship Oregon ar
rived at Woo-Sung today. She steamed
at good speed throughout the trip. Her
officers say she is in perfect condition
for the present, though the repairs made
were OF a temporary character.