The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-03
CHINESE SITUATION.
Little Change in Military Affairs Since
Early Autumn

@s~e[ %f-@e~-~
Early Autumn
Correspondence the Associated Press.)
Tien Tsin, China, Dec 1.-The mill
tary situation here has shown practi-
calIy no change since early autumn.
There has been a slight reduction of
the various forces at times, but the gar
risons have on the whole practically
been maintained at the numbers here
tofore stated in the Associated Press
dispatches.
The Russian contingent has been
slightly increased over the strength at
first determined. This is understood to
have been done at the suggestion Of
General Linaviteh 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 sduadrons OF
Cossacks and a light battery. With the
departure Of the Fifteenth United states
infantry last week the American con-
tingent in Tien Tsin now consists only
of two companies of the Ninth Infantry
under command of Major F'oofe- The
British and German forces predominate.
The British have sent back to INDIA ana
down to Hong Kong large NUMBER OF
coolies. who have suffered much from
the cold The health of the troops IS
on the whole good, though the Germans
have had. quite a large percentage OF
sick from fever and dysentefy COM
plant.
Navigation up the river has practical--
ly ceased. Ice has formed nightly and
the last fleet Of Junlzs sent UP have Ia
ken from eight to ten days TO reach
Tuag Chow. Winter supplies for all tbs:
forces are pretty we'll in, however and
with the opening of the railroad to Pc
kin, which is expected within two or
three weeks, the greatest difficulty
which the allies have faced, will be re-
moved. Their railroad is still the cause
Of considerable friction. 1T is still held
not inclined to surrender it to any other
control. There has been disposition to
lay the blame for the delay IN putting
the road through to Pekin on the Rus
slams and from time to time the matter
has come to the front in a way to cause
apprehension Of serious friction. 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 understood that the
Russians declined to fulfill the agree
ment. They are paying the interest on
the lease to Chinese to the British own
ers and thus removing the greatest legal
question involved.
Reports from the country along the
grand canal and toward Paotingfu in
dictate that there is still some restless
ness in the towns and villages There
have been several scares of massing
forces in that direction. but no definite
news can be obtained tending to indi-
cate danger
The Germans have installed a field
telegraph line to Paotingfu. and detach-
ments are constantly on the road es-
corting supplies to the garrisons there
Occasionally there have come reports of
sniping along the route, but the coun-
try is apparently quiet in that direction
The work Of the American quartet
masters department here and al Tong
Ku, is practically wound up and it is
probable that the depot viii soon be
closed. Gen. G. F. Humphrey, chief
quartermaster will then go to Pelxin A
large number Of employees have been
discharged and will be sent home on the
Californian and the Athenian, both due
to leave within the next ten DAYS.