The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-12

Adjutant General Corbin yesterday gave
out the following dispatches and cores
pondence relating to the reports of loot
ing of property in Tientsin by the Ameri-
can forces. General Corbin's despatch
was as follows:
July 81.
Fowler, Cheffoo:
Send following cablegram to Coolidge,
commanding United States forces Tien-
tsin: Reported here extensive looting in
Tientsin. Report Immediately whether
American troops took part. If so, punish
severely. repress sternly. Absolute re-
gard for life and property of non-combat-
ants enioined' By order of Secretary of
War. CoRBIN.
Colonel Coolidge's answer was as fol-
lows:
"Chefoo, July %.
"Corbin, Washington:
''Tientsin. July %. Looting by Ameri-
can troop walled city Tientsin unfounded
and denied Silver taken from burned
mint under direction (Col) Meade tMa-
rine Corps, commanding, who was in
valided today. No property destroyed ex-
cept under military exigency. American
property non-combatants in American
southeast quarter (oO city assigned them.
VIII forward reports commanders of
American guards in city.
COOLIDGE"
The Reports.
The reports forwarded are as follows:
Headquarters Ninth U. S. Infantry,
"Tientsin, July &c.
"Adiutant General, L. S. Army, Washing
ton, d. c.:
Experimenting my telegram OF July
%. in reply TO yours OF July y, received
by me July %. have the honor to trans
nit the reports OF Major Waller, L. S. NJ.
c., Major Foote. and Major Lee, Ninth
Infantry who had charge of the guards
the entire time since the city OF Tientsin
was captured up TO July "A, as follows:
Major Waller. July Il. Marine Corps;
Major Foote. July 1915. four companies
Ninth Infantry; Major Lee. July 1917,
two companies Ninth Infantry; Major
Waller, July 1T-s0, Marine Corps; Major
Foote. July 2e-22, three companies Ninth
Infantry: Major Lee, July 22-24, two
companies Ninth Infantry.
They were under the direction and
orders of Col r. L. Meade. L. S. NJ. c.,
as senior officer, commanding L. >
forces He attended the conferences of
the allied generals here, and was given
control of the American quarter of the
walled city.
Il was authorized by Colonel Meade to
take such military stores from the Chi
nese ordnance store houses as might b.
useful for the services of our troops.
The silver that was in some of the
burned vaults of the treasury or m Mt
was secured under direction of Colonel
Meade and turned in TO the Hongkong
Bank for the United States.
"On the 25th instant Colonel Meade, be
ing sick and invalided home by direction
of Admiral Remey, turned over the COM
mand TO me- and l assumed command as
per enclosed order.
THE within reports speak for them
selves. The city was looted largely by
the Chinese before its capture, and
great deal of property left lying in the
streets In the American quarter every
protection has been afforded life and
property / refer the Adjutant General
TO the enclosed proclamation in Chinese.
with its English translation, of July %,
which was posted through our quarters.
With reference TO other quarters of the
city, we have no authentic knowledge and
no power TO investigate Very respect
fully. CHAs. A. COOLIDGE,
Lieut. Col. Ninth Infantry Command
ing"
Headquarters First Regiment,
United States Marines
''Tientsin, China, July 20, 1900.
Sir, Replying TO your letter of the
25th inst. relative 10 the steps taken by
me 10 prevent looting in the walled city
Of Tientsin, have to state that l entered
the town shortly after o'clock on the
morning Of the 18th, and at that time
the town was intact, except where dam
aged by shell FIRE short while later
fires were started in different parts. pre-
sumably by Boxers, as shots came from
that direction.
90 When the town was divided into four
quarters. American, japanese, British. and
French, we took the greatest precaution is
prevent footing in our quarter. and ne kept
them out OF the others. The Chinese were,
and are, the most persistent in that disec-
tioE.
% The quiet condition OF our quarter
and the fact that it is cleaner today than
ii has been for hundred years or more,
gives the best evidence of the good order
preserved there
- ! paid and fed the coolies who did
work for me; both in taking out the treas
ure. hUTying the dead. and cleaning the
town (American quarter) at the rate of 20
cents day (MeXican).
.. Men have been allowed TO Keep ZAP
tured swords, arms etc.
b. ne huOIG tONu Is now inner Inc
government of the commission Of three
selected by the powers and having ample
power TO pass regulations formulate rules
OF civil government and do all things per-
tanning 10 their Office. Very respectfully
"LITTLETON W. T. WALLER,
Major. L. S. NJ. c., Commanding U.
s. Forces. Tientsin, China
Major Lees Report.
flemish. China July 2e. 1000.
"Adiutar' Ninth Infantry, Teintsin.
Sir: In obedience to the verbal in
structions OF the regimental comma nder
a. m. on the 10th inst, in compliance with
orders OF regimental commander relieved
with Companies c and d, the Third Bat
talon Ninth Infantry. consisting OF Com
panies T. X, L and NJ commanded by
Major Foote Of the guard duty in Amari
can section walled city OF Tientsin- AS
my command entered the south gate vast
hordes of Chinese loaded with boxes bun
dies, and all kinds Of property were flock
ing out of the entrance. A passage was
forced through for my command to enter
On being informed that this property be-
ing carried out by the Chinese was not
theirs and that they were hooters and
robbers, ! gave orders that they be forced
to drop it at the gate as they passed out.
Vast quantities Of clothing. good and bad
and other property was soon accumulated
there. AS the most of this was believed
TO be infected with disease and vermin
had II sorted by Cinnamon under guard
and personal supervision Of Second Lieut..