The age-herald., 1901-01-02
FIRST TOUCH OF
 WINTER IN CHINA Troops Feel the Rigor in North
 ern Section STOVES ARE WELL SUPPLIED Coal Supply Still a Grave Question. Americans Are Chartered in Ex- treme Southern Portion of
 the Imperial City.

Correspondence of the Associated Press)
 Pekin, November 12.-Cold weather has fairly set in and the allied forces are be- ginning to feel the first touches of the rigor- ous North China winter. A superb autumn has greatly aided the army in getting sup plies and at this time it Is stated that suf- ficient provisions and equipment are now in Pekin to last for the six months of the practically closed season. The great wagon road that leads from Tong Chau, the head of navigation, to Pekin, has been crowded with transportation during the past few weeks.
 Great trains of camels coming in from the west and north have been commandered by the various forces and now are being used by the United States and other con- tingents. Hundreds of the little vehiclfes known as Pekin carts, which are spring less, two-wheeled concerns, drawn by two donkeys, tandem, are also pressed into ser- vice, and the route of the wagon train is a picturesque exhibition of transportation facilities. In the race to get in supplies the American transportation equipment has easily proved itself the superior of any sysctem in use in China.
 Over in the Temple of Agriculture in tho extreme southern portion of Pekin, where the American continents located, and now known officially as Camp Reilly, cavalry stables nearing completion. The camp is prepared for any weather with we'll banked tents and stoves and the first of the cold weather finds the men very comforta- ble. The fearful wind and dust storms are the greatest source of discomfort and +Iai, f ie possible to go out of doors.
 The coal supply is still a grave ques- tion. Cattle teams are bringing in fuel from the western hills, but the quantity is not sufficient for the extended period of cold which is now predicted. The fear of great suffering among the natives which was expected earlier in the season has been partially allayed by the way in which the Chinese are resuming business. The revi- val of business is especially noticeable in the American and Japanese sections. Here markets have been opened, shops are re- suming business, and many supplies are coming in.
 The American section of the Tartar City is under charge of Major E. R. Robertson of the Ninth Infantry, provost marshal, while Captain Tilson of the Fifteenth is the provost marshal of the American section of the Chinese City. Major Robertson is now inaugurating a native police system, n- tended to be self-supporting. It is proposed to divide the shops and business places into three classes with small graded taxa tion. The revenue thus derived and arising from the provost marshal's fines will be used for the pay of native patrols and relief of the suffering poor. Cavalry and infantry patri ots will be continued, but it is said the new scheme will not only relieve the soldiers of much arduous duty, but greatly aid in keeping order and suppressing opium and gambling dens Pekin, as a whole, Is order 1y and quiet The city is well patrolled and poiced, and little lawlessness occurs. Every effort is being made to make it sanitary, and the natives are fined if filth or refuse is allowed to accumulate on their premises. The narrow alleys are daily inspected in the American section, and now are kept clean and well swept.