The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-18

NEW YORK, Feb. 1S-George Lynch.
the well-kncwn English newspaper CORE
spondent, VINO was in China during the
march from the sea and the siege Of Pc
kin. as special representative Of the
London Daily Express" and The
Sphere, is in this city. He gives the fol-
lowing graphic story of his experiences:
The massacre of Taku was a fit begin
ming for the blood-stained track of terror
which marked the progress of the allies
from the sea to Pekin. On large hulk
of the coast lived five hundred Chinese
coolies who worked at the discharging Of
the ships, and were also employed on
shore working for the British One day.
startled by some firing they propelled
their boats toward the shore. When close
N, the Russians opened fire on them
'Dcfenceless and utterly helpless they
had no means of protecting themselves or
OF getting away and in cold blood upward
OF three hundred of them were nassacred.
The actual number is probably much near
er double that, as many jumped over
board and were drowned and many were
shot while IN the water endeavoring to
swim ashore
7 arrived at Tientsin the day after the
allied armies started to relieve the Iega-
tons These were supposed 10 be about
6va miles outside the town on the road to
Pekip.
Starting in The grey twilight Of dawn l
shall never forget my ride through the
ruins of the Chinese city. There were
miles OF deserted houses with eyeIess win
dovs and brokn doors. all showing the
signs Of a terrible coRfagration. There
was no human being stirring in he vast
solitude 1t seemed like travelling through
some great catacOmb of dried skulls.
The third day out from Tientsin We be-
gan to see the first OF these terrible sights.
which increased in number as We went
forward until we reached the city of Pc
kin itself. where they were to be found
mere plentiful than ever along the route
/ refer TO the number of Chinese homes in
which the families had committed suicide
before the arrival Of the invaders At first
this appeared shocking and terrible. but
as one had opportunity Of observing the
conduct of the soldiers of a great pro-
portion Of the invading forces, il appeared
less so
One saw that with the Chinese il was
choice Of two evils, and il was aues-
tiOnable whether il was not better to lie
down peacefully On the kong. where the
families usually slept, and pass away amid
the Iulling fumes Of sufocating charcoal
than run the risk OF the more horrible
hands Of soldiers Of one of the civilized
nations.
In the case of hundreds OF women and
girls, II was certainly the lesser Of two
evils Unused 10 and incapable of walk
ing, il was intensely pitifuI 10 see these
wretcked people with their tiny com
pressed feet trying 10 get away. In the
majority Of cases those who did not sue
coed were assaulted. 1t is impossible 10
give details Of what came under one one's
observation.
We are compelled to admire the con-
duct Of number of young girls who pre-
served lheir chastity at the sacrifice Of
their lives Girls were seen in the River
Pei-HO. near Tong Show. who walked into
the water where il was not deep enough 10
cover them and deliberately held their
heads under the surface until they we're
drowned.
Many Of them were prevented doing so
with the utmost difficulty. but as We tray-
eled along day by day the sluggish waters
OF that muddy river carried down a bur
den OF corpses that 1oated past the junks,
among which we're 10 be found very
large proportion OF women and girls.
In a campaign like this there are sights
which photograph themselves indelibIy on
ones mind.
No wonder there was a great wave of
terror swept through the country and on
either side of the track Of war. From
IIentsia 10 Fekin every night the war path
Of the allies along the river was torch
lit by burning villages. When Pekin
Was reached the great gate houses were
ADDED to large section of the town TO
complete the vast holocaust Of hate