Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1900-10-17

II l. Question Whistler the United
states Can Keep the Cold.


Washington. Oct. 1.-THE American
.faharo Of loot a. Tien Tsin Is larger than
was first reported. II has been I'M
1ierstood that all the Americans took
after the capture Of Tien Tsin was gold.
amounting in value TO sa7s.OO0 This
report arose from the fact that Ii hang
Chang asked General Chaffee 70 restore
that sum to the Chinese government.
Il now appears that this s27s,OOO was
only the value OF gold coins. and gold
bars taken from the Chinese treasury at
Tien Tsin. and apparently il was only
the money taken from the treasury
which concerned Earl La as a govern
ment official
Things Of value were also obtained
from other sources and It is now report
ed that the total value Of the loot will
reach figure about 100000 in excess
of the amount originally reported. The
gold coin and bars taken from the treas
ury were melted by order Of General
Chaffee. Nothing is yet known about
similar seizures in Pekin or at points
along the line of march. The total value
of the seizures win probably be very
high. Ii Hung Chang's request for the
s97s,OOO taken from the treasury has
received no reply.
There is considerable doubt about
whether the United States is entitled 10
keep this gold. whatever It's amount
may finally be decided 10 be, because
this government has been proceeding
on the theory that no war exists in
China. The expedition Of General Chat
fee has been repeatedly defined as res.
cue expedition, aud not an invasion.
The United States has kept mp commu-
nication with the officials aud represent
tatiyes Of the Chinese government and
has insisted in regarding the whole
trouble in China rs the result Of inter-
nal disturbance. which did not justify
open war
II is therefore doubtful whether the
American government can take the con.
tents Of Chinese government treasury
as spoils Of war Nevertheless IL is OK.
tremely unlikely that the gold viii ever
be returned 70 China, even that part Of
It identified and claimed by Ii Hung
Chang II may not be held as spoils Of
war for the reason given, but it viii
probably be held rs part payment Of
the indemnity which America will de-
mand Il will certainly not be returned
until the peace negotiations are conclud-
ell nor will any final decision about
what 10 do with It b. made until that
time Certificates for at least large
part Of IL, have been deposited in the
war departments account with the treas
ury department. They will stay there
for a long time 10 come-certainly until
the peace negotiations are ooncl uded.
and probably longer
The chief spot Of speculation now
therefore IS NOT what will become Of the
loot, but what the amount is. The sums
already reported covcr only the amount
taken az lien Tsin. officials have no
information 10 give concerning any sums
which may have been taken at the
cities along the Pei Ho or no Pelin IL.
self There WINS undoubtedly a great
| deal Of looting at the capital. but wheth.
or any share Of il fell 20 the Americans
is n question concerning which no in
/ formation Is yet obtaiuable. This is not
surprising. however, In view Of the fact
thar Tien Tin was taken IN July. and
/ that 10 was three months later before
any official statement could be- obtained
about the seizures there. In fact, only
five days ago IL was denied on high au.
thority that General Chaifee had sent
any report ON the subject. although he
| had.