The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-04
HOUSED FOR THE WINTER
TROOPS IN CHIsA ARE IN CON-
PORTABLE CONDITION.
American Camp FavorabIy Noticed by
Foreign Observcrs-Military Con-
ditiOns at Two Chief Cities.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.

Correspondence Of the Associated Press
TIEN-TSIN, Dec. 1.-The military situa-
ton here has shown practically no change
since early autumn. There has been a
slight reduction of the various forces at
times, but the garrisons have been, on the
whole, practically maintained at the num-
bers heretofore stated in the 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
Linavitch himself, who is said to have rep
resented 10 st. Petersburg that two add-
tional infantry regiments be added. These
have arrived here. In addition there are
three squadrons of Cossacks and a light
battery. In the departure of the Fifteenth
United States Infantry last week the
American contingent in Tien-Tsin consists
only of two companies of the Ninth Infan-
try, under command of Major Foote. The
British and German forces predominant.
The British have sent back TO India and
down to Hong-Kong a large number of
coolies, who have suffered much from the
cold. The health of the troops is. the
whole, good, though the Germans have had
quite large percentage of sick from fever
and dysentery.
Navigation up the river has practically
ceased. Ice has formed nightly and the
last fleet of junks sent up has taken from
eight 10 ten days to reach Tung-Chow.
Winter supplies for all the forces are
pretty well in, however, and with the open
ing of the railroad to Picking, which is
expected within two or three weeks, the
greatest difficulty which the allies have
faced, will be removed. The railroad is
still the cause of considerable friction. 1t
is still held by the Russians. who appar-
emily are not inclined to surrender it to any
other control There has been DISPOSE
ton to lay the blame for the delay in put
ting the road through to Picking on the
Russians, and from time to time the mat
ter has come to the front in a way to
cause apprehensions 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 de-
clined to fulfill the agreement. They are
paying the interest on the lease to the
Chinese to the British owners and thus
removing the greatest legal question in
volved.
Reports from the country along the
Grand canal and toward Pao-Ting-Fu in
dictate that there is still some restlessness
III the towns and villages. There have been
several scares of massing forces in that
direction, but no reliable news can be OBJ
tanned tending to indicate danger.
The Germans have installed field tele-
graph line to Pao-Ting-Fu, and detach-
ments are constantly on the road escort
ing supplies to the garrison there. Occa-
sionally there have come reports of sniping
along the route, but the country is appar-
emily quiet in that direction.
The work of the American quartermas-
tcrs' department here and at Tong-Fu, is
practically wound up and it is probable that
the depot will soon be closed. General G.
Il. Humphrey, chief quartermaster, will
then go to Picking. A large number of en-
ploves have been discharged and will be
sent home on the Californian and the
Athenian. both due TO leave within the next
ten days.