The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-01-04
SITUATION AT THEN TsIN

fCOrrespondence OF Associated Preas)
TIEN TSIN. Dec. THE military Sit
uation here ras shown practically no
change since early autumn. There has
been a slight reduction Of the various
forces al times, but the garris0ns have.
on the whole, practically been main
tained al the numbers heretofore stat
ed in the Associated Press dispatches.
The Russian contingent has been
slightly increased over the strength at
first determined This Is understood 10
have been done at the suggestion Of
General LlnOvitch himself. who Is said
to have represented to St. Petersburg
that two additional infantry regiments
be added These have now arrived
here. In addition there are three
squadrons Of cossacks and light bag-
terry.
With the departure Of the Fifteenth
United States infantry last week. the
American contingent in Tien Tsln now
consists only Of tRo companies Of the
Ninth infantry under command of Ma
jor Fo0te The British and German
forces predomlnate The British have
sent back to India and down to Hong
Kong a large number 0f coolies who
have suffered much frQm the cold. The
health Of the troops IS. on the whole.
good. though the Germans have had
quite large percentage Of sick from
fever and dygenteric complaint.
Navigation up the river has practi-
caily ceased Ice has formed nightly
and the last fleet Of junks sent up have
taken from eight 10 ten days 70 reach
Tung Chow. Winter supplies for all
the forces are pretty well in, however
and with the opening Of the railroad to
Pekln. which Is expected within two or
three weeks. the greatest difficulty
which the allies have faced viii be re-
moved.
The railroad Is still the cause OF con-
siderable friction. II Is still held BY
the Russians. who apparently are not
inclined to surrender It to any other
control There has been a disposition
to lay the blame for the delay In put
ting the road through to Pelkin on the
Russians and from time to time the
matter has come to the front in a way
to cause apprehensions OF serious fric-
ton. 1t was recently stated that an
agreement had been reached to turn
the road over to the Germans. but this
has failed to materialize and it IS un-
derst0od that the Russians declined 70
fulfill the agreement. They are paying
the interest on the lease TO the Chi
nese and British owners and thus re-
moving the greatest legal question in
VOWED.
Reports from the country along the
grand canal and toward Pao Ting Flu
Indicate that there Is still some rest
lessness IN the towns and villages.
There have been several scares Of mass
ing forces in that direction, but no
reliable news can be obtained tending
TO indicate danger.
The Germans have installed a field
telegraph line to PaO Ting Flu, and de-
tachments are constantly on the road
escorting supplies to the garrison
there. Occasionally there have come
reports Of sniping along the route, but
the country is apparently quiet In that
direction.
The work OF the American quarter
masters department here and at Tong
Ku. is practically wound up and it Is
probable that the depot win soon be
closed. General c. f. Humphrey, chief
ouartermaster. win then go to Pekin.
A large number Of employees have been
discharged and win be sent home on the
Californian and Athenian. both due to
leave within the next ten days.