The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-11-11

Imperial city; It's eastern end opens into thu
Ha Ia Men great street
About midway bet ween the Oh len Men and thu
Ha TIA Men great street and parallel with 4
hovs the so-called Imperial Canal. which II
practically a mere drain for the surplus waters
OF the Imperial City to pass through n watei
gate Into the moat OF the southern city. This
canal is several rods wide. Is lined with brick
walls ak or eight feet high. cape ed with stone,
and has a broad road on each side OF II. Lega-
ton street crosses II on a stone bridge called
the Imperial Canal Bridge. and near the wall OF
the Imperial city the Street OF Permanent Peaoe
cro'ses by another bridge Of the same name.
Within the double ~rectanale bounded by the
city wall on the south. the Chang An Chieh
on the north. the Ha Ia street on the east.
and another road to the west called the Board
OF War street, were situated all the foreign
legations except one-the Belgian. the hotels.
banks. foreign stores. the Imperial Customs.
the Post once and the incomplete Imperial
Mint. Coming from the Ha Ia street west
ward the first legation on the north side. some
what isolated from the re ainder. was the
Italian. Farther on were the French le2a-
ton. the Hotel de Pekin and the Japanese
and Spanish Legations. on the south side
OF the street was the German legation oppo-
site the French. the Hong Kong and Shanghai
e~f oaS ohN ~ VIZ o'Nse' Wv
Of the bridge over the canal stands the Rus
sian legation on the north side. opposite the
American CATION on the south. with the
Russo-Chinese Bank. another foreign store.
and the Netherlands legation. all on the south
side Of the street.
Passing up the canal from the bridge for a
few hundred Yards one comes To the east gate
OF the British legation. the southern extremity
Of which L. not very distant from the northern
wall Of the Russian legation. a fact which latnr
proved TO be- Of great importance North
west Of the legation. and adjoining II. is tho
Imperial Carriage Park. an expansive area
with numerous large buildings devoted to the
storage Of the elephant carriages. sedan chairs.
and other vehicles used by the Emperor. with
their appurtenan ces and %trappings On tho
northern side extending to the Chang An
Chieh are the spacious premises OF the Han
Lin Yuan. or Imperial Academy. which soon
became a storm centre In the defence Of the
legation.
IL rHR british LEGATION.
The American refugees from the Methodist
compound filed YEARLY into the United States
legation about noon without the least Idea
Of what disposition was TO be made OF them
Almost every one had come away with no
opportunity to make provision for food other
than whatever happened to be at hand. but
through the generous hospitality OF Mrs
Squiers. wife ~ the First Secretary. the whole
large company was promptly served with an
Informal luncheon. Not only 40. but her amply
stocked storeroom was placed at the disposal
Of her destitute conntrynlen md women. who
were generously told 70 help themselves to
whatever was 10 sight. a permission NJ which
full advantage was taken. coolies and carts
being loaded M repeatedly FOR several hours.
10 remove "a much a. possible to the British
legation. which had been fixed "a the general
headquarters for all, twas largely due 20 this
unanticipsted and u%nexampled liberality that
| the American refugees were able with some
degree NJ success to bear the privations Of the
siege. and IL Is not too much to SAY that ir this
way several lives were in all probability saved
and the comfort of scores greatly enhanced.
During the entire siege Mrs. Sluiers was pream-
inently tho Lady Bountiful Of the occasion
looking after the wants of many of various
nationalities with n lavish and an undlscrimi-
mating hospitality instant in season and OUT.
After the two hours stay in the United States
legation this party was ordered TO proceed
TO the British legation. where they found them
selves assigned 10 the church. n building CEN
trally situated, but afording very narrow
accommodations for so many. Some of the
number took the precnution To enter the
tMinese SHOPS on lFcntioh STREET TAKING pos
session ~ whatever was likely tn prove useful.
especially provisions, giving a receipt when the
owners were present. In other cases merely
appropratinc abandoned goods. BY this
promp' action mnch was secured that would
subsequently nav" heen unohtainaoie' ana
was nltimat"lV invaNnahle.
Az 'he hme OF 'he arrival OF me American
contingent AZ the Hrltish lera'ion me scene
was one ~ intense activity tn"ornt'd oarts
loaded with every variety or household hrni-
fure continually arrived. Swarms of coolies
struggled through me broad passages IN"
stream of those erdeavor1ng 10 enter hecoln-
Ing constantl' en'arRled with The equally
strong current ~ those irving 70 get ont again
In order 70 go back ana reload. The whole
legation had been turned Inside out. rechaIted
and separate buildings assigned TO difcr-
ent nauonaities. This was the RUSSIAN house.
that the French, and a third was devoted to
the use OF the stan OF the Imperial customs.
and similarly with the rest. The spacious
front pavilion began to be covered with the
most miscellaneous luggage. especially cases
OF provisions and wines. this being the head