The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-22
TOO PLAIN TALK
"A Cavalry Officer Gets Himself
Into Trouble
:RALKING OF LOOT IN CHINA
-Eratlcisnn of Foreign Troops and Of
acers That Is Likely to Be
-, HS"Tu roHk AateE'

Washington, July 22.-Captain Joseph r.
Diekman Of the Eighth cavalry, on duty
ut Fort Leavenworth, Kan, may have in
vo1ved himself in a diplomatic difficulty
by reason Of his recent remarks before
the Kansas commandery of the military
order of the Loyal Legion. Captain Dick
man was in China with General Hughes,
on whose staff he served, and his address
before the Kansas Loyal Legion COM
mandery was devoted to his experiences
on the march to Peking. Some of the
comments which he made have reached
the foreign governments, and are likely
to lead to correspondence, with the state
departments. The Objectionable pas
sages in the address are as follows: -
After the pompous little Japanese officers
got through their inspections we passed up
into the narrow harbor of Nagasaki.
The railroad&from Peking passes Tonkue. 1t
was managed, or mismanaged. by Russian
officers and troops. They were railroad
troops, and had some notions Of running A
railroad, but cleanliness was not Of thena
Their marching looks more like loafing along
the road than we'll regulated progress.
The buildings in the grounds occupied by
troops from the continent of Europe were
raeefuly looted, and in many cases COM
plstely Quilted.
The American legation suffered little dam
AGe. The Spanish legation also escaped. The
Fsench legation was destroyed and the min
lister collapsed with fear.
All these places were in the possession OF
the Russians who beat the Jananese Ill a
xnce for this loot. They had placed seals over
various apartments, but fear that in spite
Of this his imperial Chinese majesty will have
10 make new collection of bric-a-brac when
he gets back.
The British sent out many expeditions witt
carts and pack trains for the purpose Of
h.s.. ....s.- t. l~@4 rl,@r
available in the city they extended thei1
operations to the country, and soon had
warehouse as big as ship filled ten feet dcei
with furs, garments, and silk. The Frenc'
were inveterate looters and sent out expedi
lions daily. The Russians had possession
many choice places in the city. Iheir opera
tions were not much in evidence, but the,
were effective nevertheless. The japanese
CAPTURED 60 o0O, 900 taels OF silver.
The French robbed our camels several time
In spite Of the flag.
Tho Impression received Of the foreigners
after associating with them officially and so
cial1y, is that they are not to De trusted eA
,cept the English.
A case Of deception was by the. Trench
Though they hal only squad with hat
present in the attack on Peking they claimed
allotment Of part OF tho city to them. Gen
eral Chatfee gave up large section TO them
In order to, stratghten out the line, as the.
claimed, they begged for 100 yards more
They got that 700, our general and ministe
never questioning their r1otlve. It turned ou
that tbs only rtascn they waEteG that extr
piece was bet a,,se l. contained TIE mint, ou
az vhfrn. ur- .(a:lic fri,n Is tNtrn.ttd 10000
taels OF silver in a few hours.
The discipline in the Russian force IS r1g'o
consequently any excesses committed by Rus
sian troops must be blamed entirely on tn
officers don't believe that their shoetin
is good, or that in cases requiring lnalVlaua
.ction thew would be hard TO conterd against
In my opinion they arc too brutal sand crue
fo possess courage of the trst order. .
The character of the Japanese otf1cers seem
to be frank and generous, considering thei
limited pay; but it must be remembered tina
they are orientals, and that all Asiatics ar
q tricky.