The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-29
A VICTIM OF THE CHINESE.
An Experience of Sir Robert Hart
In PelSin Years Ago.

From the New York Evening Post
A relative of Sir Robert Hart, Dr. Ed
ridge by name. who is in this country on
his way to Alaska, Is quoted as saying
that he does not believe Sir Robert has
been killed. The doctor has lived in
China six months at one time and two
years at another, and thinks It quite
likely that many foreigners have escaped
and are hidden in the homes of friendly
Chinese
Speaking OF Sir Robert Hart DR.. Ed
ridge recalls some interesting history. In
1857 the French and English, as allies.
had got into trouble with one OF the Vice
roys on account of Christians being taken
from British ship and tortured. An ex-
petition had been sent to Canton and
taken the town. a treaty was agreed
upon, and the English insisted chat 1t DO
ratified at Pekin. To this the Chinese
openly assented. but it was known that
they would secretly resist The Chinese
feared the precedent of a British envoy
at Pekin
To reach Peldn II was necessary 90 go
up to the Pei-Ho The Chinese obstruct-
ed the entrance. To force a clearance
the Taku forts were bombarded At first
the allied forces were repulsed with ter
rible loss. 1t was there that the Ameri-
can naval commander, Tattnal, rushed
to the assistance OF the English after
ward explaining to his government that
blood was thicker than water"
Later Tien Tsin was taken. just as in
this instance and a victorious march be-
gan toward Pekin. The power OF resist
ance of the Chinese was broken, but they
resorted TO every diplomatic expedient 10
delay the triumphant invasion of their
mi. f,,J
Lord Elgin, for the British, agreeing to
meet the Chinese ENJOYS at Tung Chow.
Two British commissioners. a French
commissioner, a correspondent of the
London Times and a guard of twenty
six Englshmen and twelve Frenchmen
were sent to Tung Chow. They com
pleted fheir arrangements, and were re-
turning, when they fell In with Chi
nese commlsariat officer, detached from
the main body on special duty. who took
them prisoners.
From this moment the Chinese govern
ment acted with characteristic senseiess-
ress. The prisoners were taken to vari-
Gus places in China and exhibited as wild
beasts. They were confined in small
cages. which were too short for them 10
recline at more than half length, and go
low that they were compelled to sit In a
cramped posture. When ii IS considered
that thew were carried around IN this
horrible way for several weeks and never
taken from the cages, the agony they en-
dured may be understood. AZ each stop
ping place the captors would distribute
little souvenirs of their visit For these
they would cut off tips of their captives'
fingers. Joints of their toes, pieces Of
their ears or noses or tongues, and la
other WAYS rnutnate them for the benefit
of the foreign haters. Sir Robert Hart
was one of these captives. Eldridge has
frequently heard the story from his own
lIps. Hart left the points OF three mn
gers as the souvenirs Of their terrible
Journey.
As may be imagined, the English people
were terribly wrought up over this, AL
though many of the cruel facts were con-
cealed for a time. Lord Elgin refused
20 take a step until the captivee were de-
liveret1 TO him. Thirteen OF the English
men and several of the Frenchmen had
persisted
Lord Fygln did not know OF the deaths
OF the English captives until the flags OF
the allied forces few from the walls OF
the capital When he heard OF II he Is
sued orders that the Summer Palace be
razed TO the ground. II required two days
10 do this, which has been pronounced
the greatest act OF vandalism in history.
In spite OF the offensee for which the de-
struction OF fhe palace was 10 atone, the
act aroused a storm in England; for not
onIv were the buildings looted and de-
stroyed but unspeakable acts were COM
mitted in the name OF punishment. The
razing Of the palace was but a small part
OF the whole story. The soldiers were in
toxicated with the license Of conquest,
and there was no limit to their vengeance.
The French commander objected to All
this because he considered that the de-
struction OF the palace might Interfere
with the negotiations for peace. LORD
Elein merely responded that he had no
other way OF recording in memorable char
acters his condemnation OF the cruelty
and treachery OF the Chinese. Even war
itself must be. zen times more horrible
II peaceful emissares were not to have
protection He added that, In case he
had asked for the killing of all the per-
petrators OF the crimes against the cap
lives. the Emperor would cheerfully have
produced as many hundreds or even
thousands az were necessary, and behead-
ed them at once: but the victims would
moi have been the guilty parties. II Is
interesting to recall that San-ko-linsln
the Chinese general-in-chief. claimed that
the outrages happened without his con-
sent. and that Lord Elgin said he believed
this was true.
In the negotiations which followed, Chi
ma agreed that the foreign ministers
might reside at Pekin. that Tien Tsln
should be opened to foreign trade, and
that indemnities should be paid to the
families OF the victims. and to the govern
ments involved, for the cost of their
military operations.
Two types OF moving stairways for the
Manhattan elevated stations In New
York city are to be put on trial shortly