Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-08-31
THE RELIEF OF PEKING
How the Allies Were Welcomed
by Beleaguered ENJOYS.
THRILLING STORY OF THE RESCUE,
fhe First Authentic and Detailed
Account of the International Col
umn's Arrival mt the Capital and
the Raising of the Siege.


WaslaW;ton, Aug. 31.-The first de-
tailed account of the raising of the siege
at Peking has been received. 1t is dated
Aug. H.
"A medal will be struck commemorate
ing the siege of Peking. 1t will bear the
egend, Men, not walls. make Il city
In the grounds of the British legation,
where handful of men withstood the
millions of the Chinese capital for So
days, memorable celebration is in prog
ress tonight in vindcation of that princi-
pie Missionaries assembled about the bell
tower are singing the 'Doxoogy,' rockets
are blazing and soldiers and civilians of
all nationalities are fraternizing. The
women are applauding the sound of the
cannon that are smashing the yellow
roofs of the forbidden city,
The tired Sillhs are planting their
tents on the lawn, and the American and
Russian contingcnts are lighting camp
hres along the stretch of turf extending
beyond the Tartar wall.
Through the ruins of the foreign set
tlcmcnt an eager, cosmopolitan crowd is
jostlng, Indians. Cossacks, legation la
lies, diplomats, Americans from the Phil
ippines and French disciplinarians from
Saigon, who kept discreetly to the rear
while the fighting was in progress, but
came conspicuously to the front when
looting began. Only the japanese, who
have earned the first place. are absent.
Resident foreigners welcome the luxu-
ry of walking about and immunity from
bullets. The newcomers are anxious to
inspect the evidences of historic de-
fense. These barricades are after all, the
most wonderful sight in Pcking. The
barriers hedging the British legation are
marvel of stone and brick walls and
aarthworks. Sandbags shield every foot
of space. The tops of the walls have
inches for the rifiemen, and the buildings
at their porticos and windows have ar
NOR boxes, bags stuffed with dirt and pill
lows too.
Back of the United States legation is
work named Fort Myers which the
marines held, completely screening both
sides of the walls, with steps leading to
it, There is loophole barrier across
the wall which faces similar Chinese
work II few yards away. Another wall
bars Legation street in front of the Ger
man legation, and confronting the enc
my's barricades within those limits are
vet more walls, enabling the foreigners
10 contract the area of defense if pressed.
Wrecked by Shot and Shell.
"The tops of the American and British
buildings were badly torn by the Chinese
ihells. The rest of the foreign settlement
vas almost demolished Two thousand
light hundred shells fell there during the
irst three weeks of the bombardmcnt,
40 in one day. Bucketfuls of bullets
we're gathered in the grounds.
-Four hundred and fourteen people liv-
ID in the compound through the greater
,art of the siege. Three hundred and four
marines, assisted by 81 volunteers, com
handed by the English captain Poole, de-
,ended the place. Eleven civilians were
killed and 10 wounded. Fifty-four ma
ines and sailors We're killed and 112
wounded.
"Thc reception which the survivors
gave the army was worth the hardships
he troops had undergone. The entrance
vas not spectacular. Sir Alfred Gaselee
With his staff and Il company of Sikhs,
Saded up a bed of sewage in the canal
lnder the Tartar wall The bcsieged re-
moved the barricades, and when the gates
swung inward and the British colors ap.
lcaEed there arose II great continuous
:hcer on both sides.
Generals, soldiers and correspondents
scrambled up the banks through the filth,
nlbowing to be first Men and women sur
ounded the rescuers and shook the hands
If the Sikhs, patting them on the back.
Everybody was hustled excitcdly along
nto the legation grounds, where the col
prs were planted. The soldiers surround
ID the well which had been the salvation
If the besieged.
"The ministers and officers demanded
he latest news on both sides.
AN hour afterward General Chaffee.
iding at the head of the Fourteenth
United States infantry. marched to the
rartar wall. An American marine who
vas on top of the wall shouted: You are
iust in time! We need you in our busi-
lcSs.'
~ Here can we get in?' said General
'haffcc.
Through the canal. The British en-
cred there two hours ago was the re-
'ponse The American general looked
disappointed.
Although the Americans entered be-
lind the last of the British forces. their
reception was just as enthusiastic as if
hey had been first When the stars and
stripes emerged into view. Mr.. Tewks-
~
,heer your flag. Ladies waved their
and the soldiers cheered
he ladies.
Thought 1t n Lawn Party.
"On entering the grounds of the Brit
lsh legation the American troops stared
in amaZcment and inquired if there was a
lawn party in progress. They had ex-
pected to find the relieved in worse con
lition than themselves, whereas the con-
trast between the appearance of the res
cucd and the rescuers was surprisingly
in favor of the former. The British min
iSter, Sir Claude Macdonald, was shaved
and dressed in immaculate tennis flan-
nels. Mr.. Conger, the United States
was equally presentable. The
of ladies was fresh and
bright in summer clothing. Only few
civilians were carrying arms.
"On the other hand, the rescuers were
hagGard and rough bearded. They drag
gcd themselves along as if ready to drop,
their khaki uniforms dripping with
and black with mud.
But second glance showed that the