The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-30

1
foreign soldier did afterwards, but
trampled them under foot without
oothering TO turn aside. Before the
shooting IN the streets was finished,
thousands OF Chinese had emerged from
their burrows carrying white fags or
the fags of foreign nations, principally
the Japanese, Most remarkable OF all
the sights was the lootlng OF the city,
The middle OF the place was like an ant
hill kicked open. Chinese swarmed ev-
erywhere-thousands and thousands OF
them; diving into the flames OF the
burning shops getting under falling
walls and into choking clouds ot smoke
Most % them were half naked, grimy
with smoke and sometimes dripping
with blood, They were piled upon one
another The Chinese who would win
prize must fight his way. for other
Chinese would spring upon him, and
pluck his plunder, They rolled among
the corpses, pulling and tearing, while
children being trampled down cried Tor
help and the mob poured right over
them
The palaces, the mint. the pawnshops,
the stores OF silks. furs and jewelry
Were the first objects OF attack. Near
the middle Of the city was the most
prosperous pawnship, an Institution
that had probably existed for centuries.
Wealthy Chinese were accustomed 20
store their winter clothing there for
safe keeping. When the doors were
battered down the mob flowed In like
a tidal wave. There We're British ofii-
GERS, naval and military soldiers and
sailors, but principally Chinese. In
twinhling all was pandemonium. The
Chinese knew where .he best treasure
was 10 be found and the soldiers fol-
lowed them. Two forces collided In the
gateway. a rush line ~ Chinese strug-
CLING to enter ana another line fighting
to get out with great armfuls OF loot
while an occasional soldier went
through the crowd Ike one Of the
Broadway squad.
Lcoters hourlshed for three days. on
the first day It was entirely unrestraln-
ed. Many white people accumulated
stacks ~ goods by simply standing at
the gates of the city and holding up the
best laden Chinese from the endless
procession that flowed out. Pack hors-
IS. carts. coolies. loaded with trunks
and sacks and piled with loose silks,
furs and bronzes. crowded all the roads
leading down to the settlement. Eng
lish officers rode with their horses con-
cealed under dry goods boxes and sol
diers slurg bundles on their bayonets.
On the second day a conference Of
commanding officers decided 10 adopt
represslve measures. The commanders.
except the French. empowered the Bri-
tish. who We're doing the provost duty.
10 seize all loot. This order the Bri-
tish attempted TO execute by holding
up the looters as they entered the for
eign towns They took all bundles and
reported the names OF claimants for
further inquiry, Naturally this step
provoked grumbllng. particularly
among the soldiers Of other national
tiles. Captain Bailey. the provost mar
Shall explained that the prohibition was
designed TO restrain civilians from get
ting the spolls which should go to the
men who did the fighting. An official
statement is that all seized loot win be
sold, the proceeds to be divided among
the soldiers as prize money. but SOL
diers wise through their former cam
paigns comment skeptlcally
The Japanese. so far as the casual OBJ
servation showed. did the least lootlng.
The Americans had all 10 themselves
one large arsenal which they occupied
on entering the city. II contained not
only cannon. but fine store OF small
arms, swords OF curious and rich pat
terms. rifles OF various makes, with
stands OF the long two man guns which
are simply giant rifles throwing a ball
which from the report and whistle the
soldiers thought to be Founders.
All this stun Is to be sold or shipped to
as spolls Of war.
In the third day Of the occupation a
different method was followed by COM
pelllng looters to give up their loads at
the city gate. but even this measure
did not prevent the loss Of much gold
and silver. The Americans seized
million taes worth Of precious metals,
which is piled up in the marine bar
racks.
Today the walled city looks as though |
a tornado had struck It. Enough val
liable property has been destroyed TO
stock big city, and enough has been
seized to give every soldier a consider
able sum If the distribution is hon
estly administered.
YAOCIS STILL. FIGHTING