The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-10-29
The Tien,sin Looting.

Immediately after The occupation
OF the Native City, people who dur
ing the hombardment were only to
be found in the deepest cellars (of
the settlement) we're seen to go into
the town and come back heavily
laden with booty Of all kinds, espe-
cially with silver sycee. Neverthe-
less their delight did not last long.
Capt. B,yly, the English Comms u-
der in the town, quickly relieved the
robbers.
Not one OF these people had stir
red hand at the time the position
was dangerous for all, hut that did
not prevent them taking part 10 the
looting or collecting large amount
OF booty. All the money and silver
taken from these robbers goes to
the war fund. Presumably this
means the general prize fund-Ed.
X. G.
Their despoliatior was very sim.
pie. Before they knew where they
we're Bayly appeared with the words
everybody in this place is arrested ;
The doors we're then guarded and a
thorough domicilisry search made.
One English correspondent was
especially disappointed, as he had
with great difficulty brought toget-
her sycee to the value OF $4,000 taels.
Today q court-m atrial is sitting 10
regard to this affair. Otherwise l
have not moch to report. Fires are
burning everywhere.
Already part OF the NativeCity is
is in flames. The atm osphere is ter
rible, with the exceptional heat aud
the foul stencil OF corpses and the
clouds OF smoke In our office des-
olation reigns. cannot open my
safes, as the handles have been
knocked off and the safes upset.
All the German firms iu the French
settlement have, after consultation
with the German consul, sent
through him communication to
the French consul general in which
they claim indemnity.
Tientsin, July 18th.
L wrote to you yesterday morning,
and have now to make the seriou,
communication that in the mean.
while our whole house has been
completely plundered by Russian
and French soldiers and all the
furniture ruthlessly demolished. All
the SITES have heen broken open,
and am trying now to save at
least the books, From the French
consul no help could be got, aud the
German and Russian consuls could
do nothing.
Consul Dr.. Tim hermann has view
ed the wrecked buildings and has
personally visited the Comte du
Chaylard who assured him that the
clai II. of the German firms, il they
were countersip ned by the German
consul, would b. represented by him
| to his government in the same way
as il the claims came from French
firms.
The Ostasiatische Lloyd, 10 re
producing these two letters, says:
After the taking OF the Native
City Of Tientsin. which is inh abited
by more than a million OF people,
the French, English, American and
Russian authorities officially (ofizi.
ell) permitted their troops to plund-
er the town for half q day, 1t is to
be especially m sntioned that in the
looting now taking place no Ger
mans have participated. To what
extent the looting was carried out
will hardly be credited.
! For days not ouly the Native City
was plundered, but also every house
in the European settlement. But
the worst part Of these shameiess
and uncivilised proceedings is that
quite number Of civilians partici.
pated, and amongst them members
OF the SO called best society of
Tientsin. To reproduce the verbal
reports that have been brought here