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

tice was a complaint that several English
soldiers. Sinks, accompanied by some Chi
namen. entered the house Of Mr. Wah and
attempted to break open some boxes. My
guard went Immediately to the house,
wheTeupon the Sinks fed on their approach
without taking anything. The other was
a case OF two French marines, accompanied
by two Russian soidiers; who were appre-
herded by cur guard upon complaint of a
Chnsman. They had picked up several
small wooden boxes and several vases or
jars Of very little value. They were made
to leave the articles and made proper re-
port Of the matter, giving names or de-
scription of the men. The condition of the
city as regards filth, stencil, or unburied
bodies and refuse when we entered cannot
be properly described in this report. With
the valuable assistance OF Mr.. Wah with
coolies and a number Of Chinese impressed
We did everything possible to have the
streets cleared refuse burned, and bodies
buried.
AS to the portion OF the city and mint
burned or destroyed by shell fire it is i'm
possible TO state whether or not it had
been looted. Some other buildings showed
unmistakable signs of pillage. but by par
ties unknown to me.
While some footing may have been COM
mitted by troops of some nations, l am
convinced that the greater portion was
done by the Chinese themselves.
Very strict orders were given men of
my command against it, and so far as l
know or believe these orders were obeyed.
Guards were placed over the arsenal
buildings, which were filled with vast
quantities of military supplies, and with
the exception of a few curios of very little
value which were given under my direc-
ton nothing disturbed in the arsenal.
AS TO any looting done by other troops
outside cur section 1t is not my position
or duty to report here should any such
have come 10 my knowledge.
Il gave strict orders that no American
soldier be permitted to enter the walled
city without authority. and in all cases
that they be brought to report 10 me- and
no member of the guard was allowed to
leave the arsenal grounds except on duty.
Very respectfully. J. NJ LEE,
Major Ninth Infantry, Commanding First
Battalion.
Statement of Major FOote.
"Tientsin, China, July %.
THE Adjutant Ninth United States In
fantry. Tientsin, China.
Sir: In compliance with verbal in
structions of the regimental commander,
/ have the honor TO submit the following
supplementary report of my tour of duty
in the walled city OF Tientsin on the 1ith
and 18th of July, 1900. As stated in my
original report l entered the south gate
some time on the morning of the 18th with
one company, NJ, of the Ninth United
States Infantry. | found everything in
the greatest confusion, the streets crowd
ed with the allied troops and terrified in
habitants; fires raging on every side, and
to add TO the difficulty we were fred upon
by Chinese soldiers concealed in the alleys
and houses. in order to stop this we were
obliged to set fire TO some of the houses
they were in. When l reached the centre
of the city / found Colonel Meade, United
States Marine Corps, and reported TO him.
He directed me 10 take charge of the
southeast quarter of the city. select
place to quarter my men, 10 preserve
order, prevent looting, and police the
section.
After leaving him was unable TO re-
turn. or make my way through the streets
in that quarter, owing TO the fires raging
On every side, rendering the very narrow
streets impossible. / therefore marched
around on the city walls to the south gate
| then selected large ordnance yard
and buildings, and established M COM
pany there. found large force OF Japan
csc troops at the south gate, and a small
detachment in the outer buildings at the
ordnance grounds. The officer with them
evidently thought they belonged there and
| had some difficulty in explaining to him
that the place was in the southeast sec
ton. which was assigned TO the American
forces. After this was done | establish
ed a guard, posting sentinels at the gate.
on the walls, and around the ordnance
buildings. l had such small force that
10. ,-l
Ny men we're exhausted from being up all
the night before. 1 had no map or in
formation whatever, in regard to the city,
and no interpreter; fires were raging
around US, so it was impracticable to get
about very much in our section. ! am
confident that no other American soldiers
we're in the city tina: day, and that no
iooting was done by them though il seem
ed to be general thing among the other
troops of the allied forces.
'0n the evening of the 18th three other
companies Of my battalion came in and re-
ported TO me- ] kept patrols up during
that night and preserved order as much as
possible in our section. On the 18th | was
informed that there was a treasury con-
tanning q large amount OF silver IN the
American section Immediately adjoining
the japanese quarter. l at once sent
guard there, but found Il had been burned
A guard was placed over the ruins and
subsequently, a large amount Of silver was
taken from the vaults and turned over 20
the officer in command of the United States
marine force. I collected coolies and buried
the dead Chinese soldiers all day on the
18th, patrciled our part Of the city, and
protected the inhabitants as much as pos
sible. From all ! could see and ascertain
the English French, and japanese soldiers
looted the city for some time without any
restrictions in their sections. and undou5t-
edly some of the Chinese people plundersd
also. Very little if any, of this was done
by the United States infantry troops. Very
respectfully, NORRIS c. FOOTE
! Major. Ninth Infantry"