The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-04
Copyright. 1900. BY the Associated Pres.


Taku, Aug. 50. via Shanghai, Sept a.
The Chinese in the Pei-ho Valley are
paying dearly for the folly of their gov
-rnment The retribution they are suf-
ieIing exceeds the ordinary penalties of
var. Along the river and the roads trav-
eled by the foreign troops between Tien-
tsin and Pekin an orgie of looting and
destruction continues, with much useless
slaughter of unonending inhabitants.
While the international forces were ad-
Vaneing, the commanders. notably the
Japanese, American. and British, enforc-
cd certain degree OF protection for
property not needed for military pur-
poses.
At that time most OF the population, ex-
ceDt he fighting men, had fed But now
the people are returning TO their homes,
only TO lind 10 shelter, or rice, or occu-
patton. In the overcrowded famine
threatened districts, away from the river.
their lives and small possessions are at
the mercy of bands of soldiers travelling
about without officers.
The conditions prevailing leave little
ground for the favorable comparison Of
civilized warfare with Chinese methods.
Robbery. rayishing and murder are so
tonimon that every responsible person one
meets contributes stories from personal
observation.
Piliasin& of Tung Chew.
The walled city of Tung Chow was the
only town in the pathway of the interna-
uonal forces whose people remained and
attempted 10 continue business. During
It's occupation the japanese patrolled the
place efficiently, protected the people, and
prevented looting beyond the amount in
eHtable with an army. Gen. Chaffee sta
tened guard around the historic tenn
pie outside the wall, forbidding his troops
10 enter. The commanders encouraged the
Inhabitants 10 resume business. promis-
4ng protection TO all peaceful persons.
When the armies advanced, however,
the guards were removed, only a small
British and American garrison being left
outside the wall. A correspondent of the
Associated Press, returning from pekin.
found Tung Chow stripped like a corn
field after plague OF grasshoppers. Ev-
eythiRg portable. of the smallest value.
had been taken, goods from shops, cloth
ius, food, and furniture.
Parties Of soldiers Of every nationality
Were roaming about unrestricted. ami.
PIE umably, were doing much wanton
Oes,ruction. In the spirit of deviltry,
smashing furniture and glassware, and
ulmpling books and pictures under foot.
Most Of the Chinese were submitting 10
al This I'm abiect fear The few who dar-
eI 10 protest were kicked about.
reral bodies lay in the streets, ap-
p-rutly those Of non-combatants. The
Inhabitants, without food or clothing,
We're huddled In back yards in a pitiable
oo.IltlCn
Towns Pit TO the Torch.
The Villages TO the southwark are even
Worse lespoiled. one week after Pekin
Was tsken the traveller TO Tientsin was
seldom out Of sight Of burning houses.
Fires are started daily. although the shell
igr viii be much needed If the troops are
l.
The soldiers are having fine sport" in
using natives who creep back TO their
houses or attempt to work In the field as
targets The sight of a farmer lying
WlrI. he was shot with a basket Of grain
o. awtu OF other produce nearby is
quite common. The Russians are the
chief actors In this style of conquest; bu,
lae French are remarkably conspicuous,
Considering their small numbers. The In
cs. troops and the japanese are par
teuauts only when beyond the ken OF
then officers.
From the Deginning the conduct OF the
Russians has been a blot on the cam
psi-H. The recital OF notorious facts
speaks more fOrcibly than could any adj
jeeI.Fes. When entering Pekin CORE
tpaAi.Dts OF ihe Associated Press saw
'"ss4cks smash down Chiaese women
with the butts OF their guns and pound
'her heads until they We're dead. The
'assaeks would pick up children barely
Oh enough 10 walk. hold them by the
ankles and beat out their brains on ths
pavement Russian officers looked on
Without protest.
"A.ie Gen. Chaffee was watering his
nurse az stream under the wall OF Tuns
'NoH. the Russians found feeble old
man hidden Ia the mud, except his nose