Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-17
FRICTION IN CHINA
National Prejudioes Cause Clashes
Between the Troops.
SEVERAL INSTANCES REPORTED
Americans Have Number Of Tits
With Frenchmen.
ONE AGG RAW A 7 ED G A S E

Correspondence Of the Associated Press
TEN TSIN, China, october SD-The
presence of a large number Of troops here,
in contiguous camps and with naturally
existing national prejudices, Is causing con-
siderable friction and several unpleasant
incidents have occurred. So far, however
none Of them has progressed beyond the
stage Of Incidents easily adjusted, and on
all sides there is very evident disposition
TO treat these occurrences as the natural
result OF military conditions.
One of the chief causes Of friction has
been the number of pontoon bridges thrown
across the river. There are three of these
within the space Of a mile, and as the
river IS crowded with iunks and towboats
some conflict has been the result. Most of
the trouble has occurred at the French
bridge and twice trouble has resulted be-
tween the French guards and the Ameri-
can sentries on the boats.
few days ago a string of twenty junks
coming down stream held up at the
French bridge for several hours, In spite
Of the protests of the American guards on
board Finally word reached the Ameri-
can headquarters of the condition of az
fairs and officer was sent up to the
bridge
French Guard Removed.
ward boat and promptly ordered him of
There was sharp interchange between
the American and French officers. but the
sentry was removed. Gen. Sumner then
arrived and the result was that the bridge
was opened and the boats allowed to pass.
day or Two ago there was another bit
of friction In which both sides rather over
stepped the INIT and are fairly chargeable
with some blame. The bridge regulations
require that only one boat may go through
at time. A fleet Of Junks. In charge of a
n-commssioned American soldier. came
down and an attempt was made TO take
three Of them through the draw abreast.
In coming through the jrnks jammed in
the draw and the American on the leading
boat and the French bridge guards clashed
The Frenchmen attempted to arrest the
American. and fist fight ensured, in which
one Frenchman went overheard and sew
eral were ba lily used up. The American
was finally overpowered and put under
guard. He was soon released. but accord
ing to his sta tement he was struck while
under arrest by French officer. The man
stated that two guards held their bayonets
al his heart while officer hit him in the
face, cutting a cash over his eye. The
matter Is now under investigation.
killing of Corporal Hughes.
The feeling between the French and
American soldiers apparently dates from
the killing of Corporal Hughes of the Sd
Artillery some weeks ago by French SEN
try, whom ne. with two companions, at
tempted to rush in order to cross the bridge
after dark The camps of the 18th Infan-
try. the Sd Artillery and section of the
French force are very close together. and
there Is evidently considerable bad blood
between the two. 1t cropped out recently
when French soldier cut the lead team
OF an American army wagon across the
head with a stick. The teamster Jumped
Out OF the wagon, and. according to reports.
gave the offender and several of his com
panions some pretty rough handling