Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-05-18
SACRED VASE LOST.
nese to Possess Super
natural Powers.

nese to Possess Super
natural Powers.
Tien Tsin yielded loot galore during the
sacking Of the native city last summer.
probably greater in actual value than
the plumber of Pekin, but to this day
there are many men who are still watch
ing for trace of a famous vase. 1t L.
known as the Vase of Tien Tsin" or
The Sacred Vase" The latter name
was given it by the foreigners from the
fact that the natives guarded II with
wonderful care and preserved about it
secrecy even in excess of the natural retl-
cence of the Chinaman. So thoroughly
has this piece of porcelain been hidden.
so completely has its tracks been covered
that no white man has had sight of Il or
been able 10 grasp clue TO its where-
aboutS since late in the autumn OF last
year.
That the vase of Ten Tsin exists. or
did exist in October of last year. i an
indisputable fact. That it was once in
possession of an American for a few mo
ments is also true and the story of how
be lost this valuable piece Of loot shows
the remarkable cunning of the Oriental.
Description of the Vase.
From the fleeing glimpse obtained Of
the treasure it is described as about two
feet tall and very graceful il design, the
material being the famous oXblOod red.
The swell of the vase was bandee with
several cross bands of beautiful clo!son-
ne, of the old Pekin workmanship. TO
those familiar with oriental arr WORK
and porcelain its value will readily ap-
pear. Many buyers of ric-a-brac who
arrived in Tien Tsin shortly after the
fighting in search of bargains exhausted
every effort that money and ingenuity
could suggest in vain search Tor TINS
work of art.
The vase of Tien Tsin was first heard
Of bv the foreign police of the native city.
This was a force composed OF small con-
tincents from all the powers represented
in the allies, which, under direction OF
the provisional government Of the city,
had charge of the entire native or walled
city AS an auxiliary to the foreign po-
lice large number Of natives We're APP
pointed, and it is probable that the ru-
NOR of the vases existence first leaked
out from this source. Inquiries were
set afoot, as it was understood that the
vase was not in possession of its rlghttui
owners. But who they were has never
been disclosed. although it was commonly
reported to be the property of temple.
The search for the vase. both on the parI
Of the police and the buyers and their
agents who had gotten wind of the mat
ter was prosecuted most thoroughly for
several months. until even the faint clues
discovery alive disappeared and absolute
ly all trace of it was lost
Seen by Chance.
In the densely-populated city of Tier
Tsin. with its teeming thousands in mar
row streets and tortuous by ways, its
blind alleys and maze-like courts of
house within house, connecting buildings
and courtyards, the hunt for the vase OF
Ties Tsin was like that of the pr0verbial
-.
chance. a single stroke of laundering
good luck, disclosed the treasure for a
few brief moments. and for a like length
of time placed it in possession of a white
man, though at the time he was not
aware of his luck or the value Of what
he thought was only an unusually pretty
piece of china.
The event occurred in one of the most
remote sections of the walled city. near
the south arsenal, and but short dis
tanct cl1-- tne gate which the japanese
and Americans first entered after the
fighting in June. In this portion Of the
native town the shells had wrought ter
rih!e havoc. and the flames added 10 the
ruin. Square after square of crumbling
walls and dehris-filed streets show
where the allies did their work complete
ly and only in scattered localities had
the natives gathered and resumed their
vocations Late in October disturbance
y
tated a search of the houses. and it was
while this was in progress that the vase
turned up.
Unusual Actions.
Ii was noticed when the military pc
lice arrived that there was q large crowd
of Chinese present. They gathered RAJ
idly. like a crowd at a city fire, and the
fact attracted attention from the soldiers.
Ordinarily when the foreign devils APP
peared there would be a quick scattering
of the native lOungerS. and they would
disappear like rabbits III warren at the
approach Of uniform. But around the
little group Of houses when the soldiers
began their search-always prosecuted
for weapons and other contraband-
Chinese assembled. talking excitedIy in
low tones and evidently much peTturbed.
a guard was placed il front of the mouse
and the rest Of the squad. headed by an
officer, entered the building.
The natives. overcoming their repug-
nance and fear Of the police crowded in
to the courtyard and even into the very
rooms where the police were at work.
With the th0roughneSs and system born
of practice the men went through the
premises. handing out and piling out all
articles which from their apparent value
seemed ont Of place in this poor quarter,
and which. under the circumstances,
were evidently plumber secured in the
terror-hled days Of the siege when the
lawless had 2 free hand.
Vase Had Disappeared.
Among the articles was a yase-the