The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-30
MILITARY LAW IN TEN TsIN.
LAND Is DEVASTATED AND RUIN II
SEEN EVERYWHERE.

rev Native Children or Women
Are seen-Food of All Kinds L.
scarce-There IL Apprehension OF
Famine.
correspondence OF the Associated Press.
Tlen Tsln. Aug. 26.-Afilitary law sim
prevails in Tien Tsin and the city has
As vet made no EFFORT 10 recover from the
terrible shock which IL experienced.
Everywhere 10 ruin. The land is devas-
lated, villages wiped out. crops comman-
deered or destroyed and the natives either
hiding or killed II would take a wise crow
20 ny down the valley OF the Pei-Ho with
out carrying It's rations Nothing Is left
OF this once populous and iourishing re-
zion save roofless huts fallen walls and
devastated gardens. No sign OF life IL
90 be seen outside the city except the
seattered outposts. and within the walls
there rs only soldiery.
Here the Russians and japanese pre-
dominate No one knows the total
strength OF either force but they run in-
20 the thousands Skirting tho river on
either bank. the Russian camps dot the
-ountry. the Russian nag flies from the
railwsy stations and Russian troops are
continually passing the roads. either NOV
.ug towards Pekin or establishing ad-
yanced outposts. There are both Cos
sacks and foot soldiers. and all hne look
ing fellows. making a splendid show in
their white blouses and black trousers
tucked into top boots. Next in number
are the japanese, and here again not even
rough estimate can be made OF their
strength. They appear. regiment after
regiment. and as fast as one consignment
arrives from Taku. those stationed here
are pushed forward. The Germans are
also active and are not slow In getting
them In and 60 the front. Meanwhile the
American and British forces are quiescent
IA camp. and do not seem inclined to
press matters now that the legations are
safe. The American forces are camped
in the extreme eastern portion OF the city.
on a fiat lying along the south hank OF
the river and are. with the exception OF
some Russian troops. the only force liv-
ing under tents The other forces are
chartered IN buildings IN the foreign con-
oassion. Col. Mohl. Of the Fifteenth In
fautry. is the ranking officer In the abb
ssnce Of Gen. Chaffee and his headauar-
ters are IN the home OF wealthy China
man. who was also an undertaken The
low. one-story structure. fun OF quaint
COURTS and passages was fun Of collins
when the Americans took possession and
in one courtyard were number of bodies
~ wealthy Chinese inclosed In hand
ONE lacquered caskets. Here also II
the headquarters OF the commissary and
Qunrtermastcr' officers. on two sides or
the building lie tho camp % the Ameri-
IAN army while the river. yellow and
sluggish. winds along the north Of g. IL
4, not an ideal camping ground. The tree
.ess plain Is inches deep Ia dust. there
is no vestige OF shade. and all the water
must be carried some distance 10 the
amp. The sun beats down pitilessly.
oven 80 late iu the season as this, and
the mosquitoes are a plague
The Marine Corps has Jared better. Like
the Europeans and English troops the
sea soldiers are CHARTERED In airy. COM
for,abe buildings IN the English conces-
sions The men occupy several large
structures with big courts or compounds.
while the officers are quartcred In a Sc
rios Of private residences Ia Victoria Ter
race. The Americans are kept pretty
C ose to camp. and there IL very little at
Z mpt at fratcruizing with the other arm
les In fact. q is almost prevented entire
D. by the inability of the various forces 10
,.guers know any English and the battai-
iou Of Welsh Fusliiers are about the
only comrades the B'uecoais can find. on
The whole the nations Keep pretty well TO
themselves. uotlceably so IN the case OF
tHe Russians who are seldom seen in
c-mpany with any other nationality.
The Americans. without exception. are
behaving splcndidly. and their officers
have been much compiimented on the dis
oipIne and police OF the force, No grave
charees have Lern brought against them
and Ia the loot they do not seem TO have
been IN the same class with
the others. especially the Rus
slams. Many grave stories are told
OF the cruelty and ruthlessness OF the
CO sacks during the lighting but it Is nat
lfally impossible 10 substantlate them al
this late day. An English resident found
some Cossacks. or ofhcr Russians loot
llg his office. lie snatched the shoulder
ornament from one Of them. reported 10
the Russian flagship and few days lat
tr the unfortunate offender was swung
from the yardafm. Here In Iien Isln an
American found party OF Russian sol
dlers looting his house. lie followed them
up. and meeting the Russian commander,
stated his grievance The men were lined
Nd along the street and searched and con-
Siderable silver brought 10 light WIN
out the cumbersome formality o. a court
martial SIX OF the Offenders were piaN'n
against a wall. and shot to death
However. who ever did the lootinE, dld
D. thoroughly. fer Of the many beautiful
residences In the foreign concession fe"
escaped. while the naive city was
Stripped.
The big shells from the forts swept
down the Victoria road. few over the river
and left devastation in their path. Grim
desolaie. blackcncd walls are oil that is
I'm ~ shls once beautiful section. They
stand IN refined gardens and blasted trees
keep guarS over shapeless piles OF debris
lt IS Impossible 10 convey an idea OF the
ruins IN the native city. The thaichcd
roofs burned nercely and the mud walls
shivcrod at the impact OF the smells.
Probably no accurate estimate or the loss
NJ life IN this densciy populated section
viii ever be made. 4 curious fact is that
native child or woman Is seldom seen
oven yet. The Chinese say they were
killed but the resident foreigners believe
they are either hidden IN the native city
or have been sent 60 the country.
Of cooley labor there Is no scarcity Ihc
word has gone forth that the foreigners
VIII employ them and the supply Tar cA-
reods the demand The wages range rom
l1 cents (Mexican) 90 33h cents tMeN'cah'
uer day. the latter price being paid by the
americans who also give each cooley TWO
pounds OF rice "A day. All ordinary Occu-
nations. arn et,aneuded OF course, ana be-