New-York tribune., 1900-09-30
KUN ALONG THE PEI-HO.
DEVASTATION SPREAD IN THE WAKE
OF THE ARMIES
PREDICTIONS THAT FAMINE AMI -pr.-
Loss Of LIFE WILL MARK THE
COMING WINTER


- Nesuoyed and the natives either hiding or killed
:. - "ouIo take wise crow to fly down the valley Of
el-Ho without carrying its rations. Moth
ing IS left OF this once populous and AourishInr
~ e.o1i save roohes huts, fallen walls and dew
as1aOeo gardens No sign of life is TO be seen
OUTSIDE the city except the scattered outposts and
WITHIN the walls there is only sodiery
I1ele the Russians and japanese predominate No
She KNOWS the total strength of either force but
hey run into the thousands skirting the river
On either bank the Russian camps dot the country
lhe Russian flag flies from the railway stations ana
11uss1ah troops are continually passing the roads
~ ler moving on toward Peking or establishing ad-
EaIceu outposts There are both Cossacks and
Ioot soldiers, and all fine looking fellows making
splendid show in their white bIouses and black
trousers tucked into top boots. Next IN number
are the japanese. and here again not even a rough
estimate can be made of their strength They an
pear. regiment after regiment and as fast as ono
consignment arrives from Taku those stationed
here are pushed forward. The Germans are also
acuVe and are not slow IN getting men in and to
the front
CAMP OF THE AMERICANS.
Meanwhile the American and British forces are
quiescent in camp, and do not seem inclined 70
press matters, now that the legations are safe
The American forces are carnped IN the extreme
eastern portion OF the city on a fat living along
1-Ie soulh bank OF ne river and are with the ex-
ception OF some Russian troops the only force
1Flhg under the tents The other forces are quar-
Tered In buildings in the foreign concession Colo
mel Mohl, Of the 18th Infantry. is the ranking
American officer IN the absence of General Chat
Zee, and his headquarters are in the home Of a
wealthy Chinaman. who was an undertaken The
low, one story structure fun Of quaint courts
and passages, was full Of cof1ns when the Arnerf-
cans took possession, and in one courtyard were a
number Of bodies OF wealthy Chinese inclosed in
handsome lacQuered collins Here also are the
headquarters Of the comnissary and quarterrnas-
ters officers. On two sides Of the building lie the
camp OF the American Army. while the river yell
low and sluggish, winds along the north Of H. II IS
not an ideal camping ground. The treeless plain
Is inches deep in dust; there no vestige Of shade
and all the water must be carried soue distance to
the camp The beats down pttilessly even so
late in the season this and the mosquitoes are
a plague
The Marine Corps has Jared better Like the
Europeans and English troops the sea soldiers are
CHARTERED in airy. comfortable buildings IN the
English concessions. The occupy several
large structures, with big courts or compounds
While the officers are Guartered in q series OF
private residences IN Victoria Terrace The Ameri-
cans kept pretty close TO camp, and there is
very little attempt at fraternizing with the other
armies. In fact II is almost prevented entirely by
the inability OF the various forces communicate.
Practically none Of the foreigners know any Eng
ish and the battalion of Welsh FusiIiers are about
the only comrades the bluecoats find. On the
whole. the nations keep pretty well 70 themselves,
noticeably in the case Of the Russians, who are
seldom IN company with any other nationality.
Inc Americans, WITHOUT exception are DShaNlnS
spIendidly and their officers have been much COM
plirented the discipline Of the force No grave
charges have been brought against them, and in the
loot they do not seem to have been IN the
class as the others, especially the Russians. Many
grave stories told Of the cruelty and ruthless
ness OF the Cossacks during the fighting. but II
is naturally impossible substantiate them at this
late day An English resident found some Cossacks
other Russians looting his office He snatched the
shoulder ornament from one Of them, reported TO
the Russian flagship, and q few days later the
unfortunate offender was swung from the yardarm
Here n Tien-Tsin American found party OF
Russian soldiers looting his house. He followed
them up and meeting the Russian commander
stated his grievance The men were lined up
along the street and searched, and considerable
silver was brought to light Without the cunber-
some fornallty OF court-rnartial six OF the Of
tenders were placed against a wall and shot TO
death
IOOTING DONE THOROUGHLY.
r-e,e- whoever did the Iooting did It thor
o,,ehlv for OF the many beautiful residences in
the foreign concession few escaped, While the
native city stripped.
The big shells from the forts swept down the
Victoria Road few the river and left devasta-
ton in their path Grim, desoate. blackened waIls
are all that is left OF this beautiful section
They stand IN ruined gardens, and blasted trees
keen guard over the shapeless piles Of debris
It is impossible TO convey an idea OF the runs
e., the native city. The thatched roofs burned
6ercelv and the mud walls shivered at the impact
NJ the shells. Probably no accurate estimate OF
rhe loss Of life in this densely populated secuol
yv,u ever be made. A curious fact Is tnet native
child or woman IS seldom seen even yet Inc
Ct.1asa saw they were killed but the resident
forei9ners believe that they are either hidden IN
the native city or have been sent 10 the country.
Of coolie labor there is scarcity. The "oro
has gone forth that the foreigners VIII enipIoy
them and the supply far exceeds the demand Inc
wages range from Is cents Ciexcan) TO 80 I'd cents
f,Iextcan) day the latter price being paid oy the
,ericars who also give each coolie two POUNDS OF
rice 2 day All ordinary occupations are sus-
ended of course. aud beyond what the natives de-
rive from their labor for the forces OF occupation
rbev have no means of subsistence
Naturally food Of all kinds IS scarce little
67ce e finding it's way into the city. some sheep
have arrived and poultry can be occasionally hao
1,+ the fare al best is hard and everything Is al
war time prices. The troops, however. are IaIlHs
wei on camp rations. of which the Americans nave
an abundance. spIendidly stocked cOill4i'-sS6is
5eno+ ts being established here under command OF
Nafor Hugh Gallagher, chief compulsory ofncer
and the river is lined with lighters bringing pro
,-,sions p from Taku- II IS understood here that
The American base is TO be establsned Ior Ihe
winter At Tong-Ku. which has fairly deep water
nee Injuries Of all kinds are purchasaple ~ 1o
ing timed fruits mineral waters, caIlisC meats
- tror2d bv the officers and men There IS abso-
fstey no suffering among the troops e1ceps ron Ton
t-- - -tis is now somewhat relieved by the cool
Ifghts The forces are enjoying exceptionally gooo
health the hospitals are noL ;SI 49, snc
TonF-Ku and constantly arriving supplies the
S|caJ 1ol1S ~ eJtIIsTfon al Tien-Tsin IS excellent.
,ren1Ions efforts have been made 10 put the city
g.. = ssDifarv condition and they have partially
succeeded $. However il Is more than the work OF
ton is being used in courts aleyS ana & sGlc @ lI @
the surface ace, - nd free Nevertheless European
residents agree that the nearness o. fr9zt g u
rice nd tons Of burned and decoInposIng SUGAR ~