The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-19
ROBBERY AND MIsTREATMENr
Charged Up 10 Foreign Troops i'm
Chsna-suppIies for the Americans.

Correspondence of the Associated Press
TIEN-TSIN. Oct. 20.-Numerous in
stances of robbery and mistreatment of
Chinese By European soldiers have been
reported TO the authorities and since the
withdrawal of the American contingent Of
the military police of the walled city law
Iessness has increased. Much OF it is laid
ar the door of recently arrived troops,
but the Chinese fear of foreigners makes
il practically impossible to get evidence
against the perpetrators. The American
coolie gangs have been robbed several
times, while returning at night TO the ma
tive city, and they assert that the French
soldiers did it. Now each gang carries Il
small American flag, and as far as re-
ported, this has afforded them protection
Within the past few days several COM
plants have been made to the provisional
city government that soldiers have openly
looted Chinese houses late at night. the
police affording absolutely no protection
against foreigners.
According to Chinese reports, small
bands OF robbers have been committing
depredations in villages near the city, but
so far no organized efforts to suppress
them has been made by the military
authorities. In fact the scarcity OF troops
available for such work and the utter i'm
possibility of locating the guilty parties
make s1ch task formidable one.
Business is rapidly reviving In the ma
tive CITY of Tien-Tsin, but little new sup
plies are coming in, the demand for trans
portatiOn being so great that the Chinese
merchants are unable 10 secure vessels
The result Is scarcity OF food, and the
statement is made by reliable natives that
there IS already considerable suffering
The scarcity of fuel is becoming felt, even
among Europeans, and there IS little doubt
that Chinese will suffer greatly with the
cold weather
Realizing the conditions which prevail
when the rigorous northern weather sets
in several American officers quietly set
on foot a movement TO secure aid from
the United States for the natives. num-
Der of resident foreigners were approached
and Immediately gave IL their emphatic
disapproval. They asserted at an informal
conference that il would be highly impolitic
TO institute relief expedition at this time
Consequently the proposition was dropped
but on every hand there is ample evidence
that the winter will bring suffering in the
already overcrowded Chinese quarters
Hundreds of Chinese have been forced to
take refuge in the city from the nearby
villages. which were practically destroyed.
and they are taking possession Of the ruins
and repairing them as well as possible for
shelter.
a part of the Fifteenth Infantry To police
a large section at the walled town the pro-
visiOnal government has been somewhat
handicapped The United States is not
"
Monday the last American garrison was
Withdrawn from the south arsenal, which
was turned over to the provisional gov
eminent practically intact. Only few
rifles were taken from the warehouses,
commissioned officers being allowed TO Sc
cure a few relics. The evacuation of the
arsenal was made the occasion for little
ceremony. Facing the main gate of the
building. high on the brick wall. there has
flown since two days after the Japanese
and Americans rushed the south gate an
American flag. 1t was the first piece of
red. white and blue bunting that ever
waved from the old Notifications OF the
ancient city At O'Clock the garrison
was drawn up under arms, the standard
saluted by the bugle and the command
presented arms the flag came slowly down.
The problem of placing sufficient sup
plies in Picking for the large force which
is to winter there has afforded a fine test
for the quartermaster and commissary de-
partments of the various forces. In fact
II has been contest of methods and sys-
TENS and it is generally acknowledged
that at present the Americans are ahead.