New-York tribune., 1900-09-30
RUIN ALONG THE PEI-HO.
DEVASTATION SPREAD IN THE WAKE
OF THE ARMIES
PREDICTIONS THAT FAMINE AND GREAT
LOSS OF LIFE WILL MARK THE
COMING WINTER.

or destroyed and the natives either hiding or killed
II would take wise crow to fly down the valley of
the Pei-Ho without carrying it's ratlons Moth
Ing is left Of this populous and aourishng
region save roofes huts. fallen walls and dew
astated gardens. No sign of life is to be seen
outside the city except the scattered outposts and
within the walls there is only soldiery.
Here the Russians and Japanese predomnate. No
cne knows the total strength of either force but
they run into the thousands. Skirtng the river
on either bank the Russian camps dot the country
the Russian flag flies from the railway stations and
Russian troops are continually passing the roads,
elther moving on toward Peking establishing ad-
Nahceo outposts There both Cossacks and
foot soldiers. and all fine looking fellows making
splendid show In their white blouses and black
trousers tucked into top boots. Next IN number
are the japanese. and here again not a rough
estimate can be made of their strength. They ap-
pear regiment after regiment, and as fast as one
consignment arrives from Taku those stationed
mere are pushed forward. The Germans are also
active and are not slow in getting men in and to
the front.
CAMP OF THE AMERICANS.
Meanwhile the American and British forces are
quiescent in camp. and do not seem inclined to
press matters, now that the legations safe.
The American forces are camped in the extreme
eastern portion of the city, fat lying along
the south bank of the river and are with the
ception Of some Russian troops the only force
living under the tents The other forces are quar-
tered in buildings in the foreign concession Colo
mel Mohl, of the 18th Infantry. is the ranking
American officer in the absence of General Chat
fee and his headquarters are in the home of a
wealthy Chinaman. who was an undertaken The
low, one story structure. full OF quaint courts
and passages. full of coffins when the Ameri-
cans took possession and in courtyard were a
number Of bodies of wealthy Chinese inclosed in
handsome lacQuered collins. Here also are the
headquarters of the commissary and quartermas-
ter's officers. On two sides OF the building lie the
camp of the American Army, while the river yell
low and sluggish winds along the north Of It. It is
not an ideal camping ground. The treeless plain
Is inches deep in dust; there vestige OF shade
and all the water must be carried some distance to
the camp. The beats down ptilessly even so
late In the season this, and the mosquitoes are
a plague.
The Marine Corps has Jared better Like the
Europeans and English troops the sea soldiers are
quartered in airy. comfortable buildings In tile
English concessions. The occupy several
large structures, with big courts or compounds.
while the officers quartered in a series of
private residences in Victoria Terrace. The Ameri
cans are kept pretty close to camp. and there is
very little attempt at fraternizing with the other
armies. In fact II is almost prevented entirely by
the inability of the various forces to communicate.
Practically of the foreigners know any Eng
ish, and the battalion Of Welsh Fusiiers about
the only comrades the buecoats can find. On the
whole, the nations keep pretty well to themselves,
noticeaby so in the case Of the Russians who are
seldom in company with any other nationality.
The Americans, without exception, behaving
splendidly and their officers have been much com
plimented the discipline Of the force. No grave
charges have been brought against them, and in the
loot they do not 10 have been in the same
class the others. especially the Russians Many
grave stories told OF the cruelty and ruthless
ness of the Cossacks during the fighting, but 1t
naturally impossible to substantate them at this
late day. An English resident found some Cossacks
or other Russians loong his office. He snatched the
shoulder ornament from one of them. reported TO
Farr doxr 1ofA he
unfortunate offender swung from the yardarm.
Here IN Tien-Tsln American found party of
Russian soldiers looting his house. He followed
them up and meeting the Russian commander
stated his grievance. The men were lined up
along the street and searched. and considerable
silver was brought to light Without the cumber-
some forrnality of a court-martial six Of the Of
tenders were placed against a wall and shot to
death
LOOTING DONE THOROUGHLY.
However. whoever did the looting did it thor
oughly, for of the many beautiful residences in
the foreign concession few escaped "HlIe 'ie
native city stripped
The big shells from the forts swept down the
Victoria Road. flew over the river and lert deVas.a
tion in their path Grim desolate, blackened walls
are all that is left Of this once beautiful section
They stand in ruined gardens, and blasted trees
keep guard over the shapeless piles OF debris
II ia impossible to convey idea OF the ruins
in the native city The thatched roots ourheu
hercely, and the mud walls snlVeTeu IL Iho AAnPoOt
ne the shells Probably accurate estimate OF
the loss OF life in this denseiy populated section
will ever be made. curious fact Is that native
child or woman IS seldom seen. even yet The
Cb,nsse saw they were killed, but the resident
foreigners believe that they are either hooeh III
the native city have been sent to the country.
Of ooolie labor there is scarcity. The "ord
has gone forth that the foreigners VIII employ
them and the supply far exceeds the demand. Inc
wages range from 10 cents (Mexican to SS l-9 cents
(dexican) q day. the latter price being PAID Oy the
Americans who also give each coole two POUNDS OF
rice day. All ordinary occupations are Sus
handed of course and beyond what the natives de-
rive from their labor the forces OF occupation
they have no means Of subsistence
Naturally food of all kinds is scarce Httle
produce is finding its way into the city, some sheep
have arrived and poultry can be occasionally had
but the fare at best is hard, and everything Is a'
war time prices The troors however are farlng
we'll on camp rations of which the Americans have
an abundance A splendidly stocked commssary
depot is being established here under command OF
Major Hugh Gallagher chief commlssary orncer'
and the river is lined with lighters bringing pros
visions IN from Taku. It is understood here that
the American base is to be established Tor the
winter at Tong-Ku. which has fairly deep water
Major Gallagher has also established sales store
where luxuries Of all KINDS are purchasaDle;
and vegetables and tobacco The store is noeIaIy
patronized by the officers ana men sIcan m go0
heat and this is now somewhat reheved py the coo
hlghitSh hgith tbe bos1taIs are not overcrowded and
With systematic communication with Taku and
5bVsicaI situation at Tien-Tsin is excellent.
Strenuous efforts have been made to put the city
n Succeeded. However, it is more than the work OF
a month 10 undo the work Of days Lime by the
ton is being used in courts alleys and cutters and
the surface drains which line the curos are kept
cleaned out and free Neyertneiess froa+ ps
thing be thankful for huge STACKS OF rottiaR @ M