New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-15
COLD SHOULDER FOR CHING
HIS CALLS on FOREIGN MINISTER'S
LOOTING IN PICKING.

Picking Sept Prince Ching. who visited the
! foreign Ministers yesterday, did not receive that
cordial reception he seemed TO expect. At the
British Legation. the first one he visited, the de-
! meanor Of Sir Claude Macdonald chilly in the
extreme, and the visit occupied no longer than hVe
minutes.
| Prince Ching was in his sedan chair. borne on
! the shoulders of eight gorgeously appareed SER
/ wants preceded by four Chinese officials of high
| rank, each wearing the insignia of the peacock
feather. A troop of Japanese cavalry acted as
| escort and guard. From the British Legation the
cavalcade went to the German Legation, but was
refused admission to the grounds, being Informed
by the Chinese interpreter of the Legation that the
representatives of His Imperial Majesty. the En-
peror of Germany were not receiving social calls
at present from Chinese officials. At the Spanish
Legation, where also the French Minister lives
his residence was destroyed the call only lasted
twelve minutes, and the Austrian Legation
hardly long. At the Russian Legation
hour was spent. From there the American Lega-
ton was visited. Here the Prince received by
Mr.. Conger and the members of the Legation. The
Prince told Mr. Conger that he felt ashamed to
look MIN in the face but that personally he had
done all in his power to prevent the catastrophe
that had occurred, but the force of events had
proved too much for him. Ching said that he had
merely come to pay visit of respect to old
friend.
1t is stated on trustworthy authority that at
the japanese Legation Ching informed that
Japan was utterly opposed to any division Of
China by the Powers. and that both England and
America would stand by her in this demand that
China would have to pay heavily for the trouble
she had caused, but it would not be in loss of
territory.
1t is believed here that the settlement of
the situation will be made by an international
commission. either at The Hague Washington.
ct which China win not be represented. If the
opinion of high officials here be taken as
guide, Russia, Germany France and possibly Italy
are In favor of division of China, with a merely
nominal Chinese Empire, while England, America
and Japan will demand the open door policy,
heavy indemnity and a long period Of policing of
the country by international force.
The general consensus of opinion of the American
and British Ministers and generals is that seldom,
il ever, in the history of the world has any city
been more completely looted and Quilted than
Picking, and 1t Is mainly due to the influence of
General Chaffee and the British General Gaselee
that the Sacred City itself has not suffered the
same fate. In fact, most OF the members of the
embassies. their families and even the mission
aries think that great mistake made In not
looting it and burning it to the ground. They
argue that If all the property of the merchants,
bankers, pawnbrokers and even the houses of the
very poor have been looted and burned why should
the property of those mainly responsible be saved
and held sacred for their future use?
1t is everyday sight to soldiers camp
followers and members of the riff raft that is fol-
lowing the army, selling all sorts of things, par
ticularly the silver shoes. which used as
cash, valued 81. S13, $50 and 500 according to
weight. Hundred dollar watches were selling for
So. But prices have gone up. and silver
shoes are selling for two thirds of their value and
other things accordingly
:, Inc proprietor OF Peklng motel mas bought, It
Is stated, silver worth over S250,000, at of
less than $4,000.
The Sikh soldiers have done a lot of trading in
silver, buying from Russians cheapy and selling
at profit. A former street arab from New-York
has made clear $1,000 with capital of nothing
ever on the subject of his right TO loot.
Auction sales take place the British Legation
every afternoon of looted goods turned in by the
troops, but the prices high fetching some
times more than the things usually sold for
In the stores in normal times.
Major Waller has in his possession a vast amount
of stuff, large portion of which has been taken
from hooters. General Chaffee has yet decided
with regard to its disposition but it will probably
be sold at auction.
TO loot, but only to forage, which means that
parties have gone out daily the American
quarter and collected the things most needed by
the troops. such as bedding furniture for camp
use, etc. Most of the soldiers the march to
Pe1ing threw away their blankets and other i'm
ing unbeara BILE. At night they would suf-
fer from cold If they had not been allowed to
commander the necessary covering. It is only
human nature if the soldier boys in that duty
should pick robes Of ermne. gray fox skins and
other warm furs rather than those of coarser
looters have been the missionaries. Recently meet
ing with five carloads of furs and antique
furniture Major Waller asked the missionary by
what right he had taken the things, and his
establishment was told that they had been taken
by permission Of Major Waller He informed the
missionary that he mistaken he himself
Major Waller, and that he should conhscate
every bit of II.