The St. Louis Republic., 1902-07-13
INSPECTORS SEIZE
SEALS IN CHINA.
San Francisco Customs Find Re
garded as Most Important in
History of the Port.
PLACED IN SAFE DEPOSIT.
Tablets of Jade From the Temple
in Pekin Found in the
Baggage of Ninth
Infantry.
REpTRITr SPrCIAL

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
San Francisco July l2.-FIve imperial jade
seals Of the Chinese Imperial Government
and twelve jade sacred tablets from the
imperial temple in Picking have been seized
by the customs officers at the transport
cock. The seals and ten OF the tablets were
part OF the baggage Of First Lieutenant
John B. Cchoeffel Of the Ninth Infantry,
ard the other two tablets were in he pos
session OF A. Hesse, who returned on the
transport Sherman. The seizure IS regarded
by the local customs officials as one of
the most important in the history OF this
port Il was evidently the intention of both
Schoeffel and Hesse 10 get the Jade through
the Custom-hOuse without discovery, for it
was rot On the manifest OF the ships nor
declared as part IF the baggage
How Seals Were Found.
Lieutenant SchoeGeI returned on the Ham
cock. He was with his company. VI, Of the
Ninth Infantry, and took part in the ad-
vance on and CAPTURE OF Picking by the
allied forces in 1900 That campaign was
memorable for the tremendous amount of
loot seized by the officers and men of the
allied forces. although it was the general
impression At the time that the Americans
had not been as eager and persistent in
their lootinC the others. SchOeffel says
that he purchased the jade seals and tab
let's from a Chinese. who sold them 10 him
for so. The Chinese was very mysterious
packed II away in the same box that il
was seZaC IN. taking il to Manila. where IL
remained for about two years When seized
the Lieutenant was apparently the most
unconcerned man In the crowd about the
baggage. He allowed IL 10 be taken away
without a protest and went on directing
the examination and transfer Of the com
pany baggage.
The seizure was made by Inspector Victor
j. Lndquist. Although ali baggage from
the Philippines is given a close eXaninl-
Uon, the customs inspectors were quietly
given the tip to pay special attention TO
was thought a great deal OF loot would be
found that came from China The Chinese
Government has offered large rewards -or
the recovery Of certain articles which dis
appeared during the foreign occupation of
Peking, and for these articles foreign gov
ernmentS had been asked to watch.
Proper Authorities Notified.
The sacred tablets from the imperial tenn
pie were considered the most important
Each tablet is a history Of the reign OF
both from point Of age and sentiment, as
they have never been duplicated. Both
the tablets and seals are Of the pureSt
jade, hawless ard highly polished. The
The seals are heavy, about five inches
square and two inches thick, and have elab-
crate handles in the form OF dragons with
five toes, which indicates that they belong
about one foot long by four in width and
half an inch thick. The seals have fine
silk cords of yellow attached to them. and
the tablets are protected by silk mats OF
yellow, another evidence Of their imperial
character.
The Jade was taken to the Office Of Deputy
Surveyor st. John, who placed II in safe
Department which win be notified by the
Collector Of the Port 1t will probably be
returned to Peking-