New-York tribune., 1900-10-14
LOOT FROM CHINESE CITIES.
NOT MANY BARGAINS FOR CUR1o COLLECTORS
LITTLE OF VALUE IN HANDS OF SOLDIERS

NOT MANY BARGAINS FOR CUR1o COLLECTORS
LITTLE OF VALUE IN HANDS OF SOLDIERS.
Tien-Tsin Sept 7.-Lured by the prospect of rich
bargains in loot, large numbers of buyers
reaching Peking and Ten-Tsin from Shanghai and
other cities in the south of China. Most of them
acting under cable instructions from dealers
in America and Europe. the most exaggerated re
ports having been spread of the value Of the plum
der taken in the sacking of these Northern
China cities. 1t is Of course, impossible even to
approximate the total value of the loot secured by
the thieves. For the greater part OF it there is
standard of value its chief worth lying in the fact
that it is loot and as souvenirs OF the Chinese
trouble it has fictitious price.
1t IS safe to predict, however. shat Europe and
America will be flooded with curios and relics
which have never seen either PekLng or Tien-Tsin.
because so far the spectators have met with keen
disappointment There is to-day any quantity of
STUFF for sale. but practically all OF It could be
bought in any curio Oriental shop home. In
every by street and in the environs Of the camps
soldiers OF all the Powers gather in little groups
bartering the spoils Of It is all done quietly,
and is apparently winked at by those in authority
These little extempOrized bazaars are extremely
picturesque. Japanese. Americans. Frenchmen,
Russians, soldiers of every flag. gather in eager
groups. while civilian traders and curo seekers
haggle with them prices in true Oriental
fashion.
BY far the greater portion of the stuff Is practi-
caiy worthless. except. has been said for its
value as relics. There and have been few real
bargains. and these have been in furs. To the
American eye they have proved the most at
tractive and some exceedingly handsome fur robes
have been secured at low prices Persian lamb
and mink, the dressed hide Of the unshorn lamb
is locally termed, probably the most valuable
1f the furs of this region. while some sable and
little errnine has found its way into the hands Of
those earliest on the scene. AS rule the robes
sold openly are lambs wool beautifully dressed
| calf skins rabbit and Mongoian goat hides
A piece in really first class condition Is rare
Most OF the robes have been worn or have suffered
in the sieges by exposure TO water and fire. There
is a curious absence.Of bronzes or porceains. One
has hard hunt to find a bit of either. and then
1t Is usually Of inferior grade. The explanation
IS found in the fact that the common soldier is
not usually a connoisseur in art, and many dingy
of real value and bits of priceless lie
untouched and shat under the shell walls
Of the native city. here and Picking. 1t
the gaudy article that caught the eye OF the plum
derer particularly Of Sikhs and Cossacks, and tin
sci ornaments OF quartz and colored stones set in
gilded silver white metal pins and rings adorned
with cheap enamel and lacquer offered for sale
in great quantities.
By far the richest loot procured was silver bull
ion in sice as the helmet-shaped ingots termed.
These worth about seventy taes each in bull
lon, or from $40 $50 gold Each bears the i'm
perial stamp on the under face. and they the
standard Of value for Chinese currency They sell
in the loot market at a considerable discount One
buyer from Shanghai said that he had secured
about $50 900 at a price Of $4,000 heavy expense,
however, is involved IN transporting the sice, and
considerable risk is taken in getting them TO
market.
OF arms there is surfeit. An immense number
OF Mannlioher and Mauser rifles and carbines fell
into the hands OF the allies and they are a drug
in the plunder bazaars. Most OF them have never
been fred. and they bring small price. Five dol
lars Mexican, or 81 90 in gold purchases gun in
excellent condition Singols, or the two-men
Chinese guns-huge. unwieldy affairs. carving al
most q half-pound ball-are plentiful. and for the
weapon collector this region is mine OF richness.
Silks and embroideries IN small quantities are pur-
chassble, but they bring good value as all East
erners are natural judges Of textiles.
At Peking conditions are practically the same
There. however. were found a larger number OF
furs and silks Silver bracelets. pins. some jade
carving native clothing OF fine quality. to
make up the loot OF the two cities but the total
excluding the silver bullion: is small Out in the
camps. the tents OF both officers and men are we'll
supplied with native furniture, some of IL very
handsome. Its bulk and the cost OF transportation
to Europe AmeTisa, however, render II value
less to dealers. Teak. cedar and ebony chairs.
tables chests and lockers common spnt
bottom chairs at home, and the soldiers often eat
Army rations from the inlaid tops OF mandarin
tables.