The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-09
FIST FIGHTS TOO
MUCH FOR RUSSIANS
Cars Men in China Not Use to
"Scrapping" That Way
GOT THE WORST OF IT
AS Result of Fights at Men chwang
Relations Between American, Brit
ish and Russian Officials Are
Somewhat Strained.
GOT THE WORST OF IT

Pekin, January S.-While the actual
casualties during the fighting at Nieu
Chwang between American sailors be-
longing to the United States gunboat
Vicksburg, which is wintering there and
Russian soldiers attached to the garrison
of that port, are trifiing up to date, the
matter has resulted In unpleasantly
strained relations between the Amer1-
can, Russian and British authorities
there. The Washington and st. Peters
burg governments are now endeavor-
ing to arrange matters so that there
may be no further friction.
The trouble originated in the action OF
some sailors belonging to the British
sloop-of-war Algerine. also in winter
quarters at Nieu Chwang, in carrying
ashore six rifles for use in theatrical
performance. The Russian administration
sent force of men to arrest the British
sailors. The Russians, however, by mis-
take, broke into a reading room where
a party of the Vicksburg's men were
seated and tried to arrest them. The
Americans resisted, defending them selves
with chairs They were overpowered after
a sharp fight, however, and handed over
to the United States consul who sent
them on board the Vicksburg.
Caused Bad Feeling.
The bad feeling which arose from this
incident resulted in several fights when
ever American or British sailors met
Russian soldiers and the latter not being
accustomed to fist fights, were usually
badly worsted. This condition of affairs
eliminated on New Years day in a more
serious ARRAY and the Russian minister
here NJ Paul Lessar complained to Min
lister Conger that two members of the
Vicksburg's crew had fired a revolver at
an unoffendng Russian soldier, wound
ing him in the arm.
Relations between the American and
British consuls and naval commanders
and the Russian administrator at Nieu
Chwang are strained, which makes a
friendly settlement of the affair difficult
The administrator attempted to enforce
a social code which the foreign officials
refused to recognize.
Attacked Sentry.
The memorandum presented by the
Russian minister to the United States
minister here related to various alleged
assaults committed by Americans On one
occasion, it was asserted, three sailors
attacked a sentry and owed their lives
to the sentry's forbearance in not exer-
cising his right to shoot
The administrator demanded that the
United States consul try the offenders
but the commander OF the Vicksburg, E.
b. Barry. wrote a curt refusal
Mr.. Conger is endeavoring to restore
friendly relations at Nieu Chwang He is
urging the United States consul there, H.
B. Miller, tc cooperate with the Russian
authorities In suppressing and Furnishing
violence. The steps taken are, however
seriously handicapped by the actions Of
the Russians, who refuse to allow for
eigners to use the telegraph line.
The foreigners at Nieu Chwang at
tribute the trouble largely to lack of tact
on the part of the administrators.
Russia Thinks 1t Not Serious.
st. Petersburg. January s.-The fights
at Nieu Chwang between sailors belong
ing to the United States gunboat Vicks-
burg and Russian soldiers are regarded
here as being unimportant. The Ameri-
can soldiers organized club. Some Of
them became intoxicated and FLASHED with
soldiers who were off duty. The same
thing occurred five or ten days ago.
There was no loss of life.
The United States consul at Nieu
Chwang demanded satisfaction from the
head of the municipality. which is sub
ordinate to the Russian foreign Office No
further consequences are expected.