The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-16
SOUGHT CHINA'S TREASURE.
H.. u. BOECk SAYS HE KNEW
WHERE $40, O0O,O 900 WAS HIDDEN.
II was the Empress DowaEer's Savings
Mr.. BOeck Proposed TO Seize IL
n No End the Trouble with China,
hut the Allies wouldn't Let Him.

Pekin, China the news that q 100000
worth Of the Imperial treasure had been
dug up from its hiding place in the women's
quarters Of the Forbidden city, and to at
least two persons the item had peculiar sig
n~ifcance.
II the plan Of these two persons for seizing
this treasure a year ago had been carried
out the affair would have interested several
millions Of people and every civilized Gov
eminent in the world. The Chinese court
would have been forced TO return imme-
diately TO Pekin, and a part OF the indem-
nity would have been collected without
delay. Incidentally, also. two men would
have been enriched by some hundreds OF
thousands Of dollars.
According to the best report, the Empress
Dowager is an exceedingly thrifty old lady
and for years past she has been boarding
treasure, constantly augmented by presents
and a part of the court income, until at
the time Of the Boxer uprising there was
said to he a total value of 2O0, 0O0, 900 Pekin
taels (about 3i40. OOO. OOO) stored away.
Before the trouble in Pekin all of this
vast treasure was kept in the Summer
Palace, Just outside of the Imperial city.
About twenty-five days before the allied
tTOOIS dDDtdftu, oNtN'l Nv NJ
Dowager conceived the idea Of transferring
the treasure to the women's quarters IN
the Inner city, and under the pretence
Of guarding the concubines of the Emperor,
thus avoid the danger of looting At the
hands OF the Boxers
Ii was not because the Imperial party
feared the seizure OF the treasure by the
allied troops. Indeed, the Empress believed
Yung Lu and others in the story that the
foreign devils had been driven into the seas.
The sudden departure OF the court, with
only a scanty supply OF clothing, Is another
proof of the statement.
The truth Of the matter Is the Empress
feared the Boxers would find the treasure
in the Summer Palace, and SO very stealthily
and carefully she planned a new hiding
place. One hundred picked coolies were
employed twenty days in the moving. each
coolie CARRYING a small smount at a time
and being closely watched all Of the time.
night and day.
In the rear OF the Imperial city and Just
back of the Great Wall Is an artificial hill
Familiarity known to the foreigners as Coal
Hill, from the summit Of which almost the
whole OF the Imperial city can be plainly
seen. On this elevation soldiers specially
chosen for the work watched the process
of transfer OF the treasure.
When the entire task was completed, the
100 coolies who had engaged In the labor
we're summoned before the imperial exc
cutioner. Dead men tell no tales and IL
a few of the coolies had not escaped in the
general confusion. this story would not
have been written.
It happened, however, that one OF the
fortunate coolies was, in times OF peace,
the head gardener OF the Inner city and IL
was from him that my friend. Thompson.
heard the tale. Thompson, a Scotchman,
who had lived in Pelin for years, once be-
friended the head gardener.
When ! arrived In Pekin a few days after
the occupancy of the city by the allied
troops, Thompson repeated the story OF the
treasure 10 me and together we formed u
great plan.
the relief OF the legations. the japanese
troops were placed on guard at three OF
the gates Of the Imperial city and the United
States troops charge OF the one re-
manning entrance. What little was left in
the Outer CITY by the Boxers was soon
appropriated by the allies, but, because
the Inner city wal so closely guarded, II
was not disturbed.
Prince Ching had been intrusted by the
Empress Dowager with the guarding OF
the treasure anl, as soon rs ne COuiu 10 NOt
he hurried TO the allied commanders II
informed them that a number Of the En-
peror's concubines were still in the Inn
perial city and, u they were molested in
any way, the Emperor and court would
never return to Pekin
Naturally enough, II was the desire OF
the allies TO obtain the Emperor's return
as soon as possible. and, for this reason,
Prince Ching's threat had tho effect OF
closing up the northeastern part of the city
where the treasure was concealed 10 every
one except the palace officials, Prince
Ching's soldiers and the eunuchs who had
remained there throughout the investment
of the city.
Any reputable foreigner could obtain
a pass within the gates of the Imperial city
from Major Heistand, Gen. Chafiee's chief
OF stan. This pass was taken up upo
entrance at the south gate and from the
time he entered until he passed out at
the opposite gate, the visitor was closely
watched by three or four eunuchs ~ well
as by ONE Of Prince Ching's soldiers.
A very few OF the smaller buildings were
open 10 inspection. but the gates in the
inner walls. particularly Of the entire sec
tiOn in which the treasure was concealed,
were tightly locked.
When Thompson had related to me the
story of the head gardener and We had
made maps Of the route taken by the coolies
in carrying the treasure. we could have
located the spot where the great wealth lay
in the night as easily as in the day.
IF we could only get a small part OF that
treasure" WIS the thought Of both Of us,
and, then as tho difficulties doomed up,
the diabolical cunning Of the Dowager
Empress, the threat Of Prime Ching, and
finally the plan whereby we might enrich
ourselves as we'll az force a solution Of the
Chinese puzzle which was troubling the
allies, became clear. We alone had the
trump card and we proposed to play out
the game.
All that Nc needed was the assistance
Of the United States troops. As we look
back at il now IL recalls the story Of the
lrishman who had a match and all that he
needed for a comfortable smoke ras a
pipe and some tobacco But we really
felt that we had a plan which II carried
out would force the return of the Chinese
court and thus solve the problem which
was harrassing the allies in Pekin.
We knew where the treasure was located.
II we could have tho cooperation of the
United States troops we could have seized
the whole amount and, after taking 10
per cent. for our share in the matter, as
was our purpose have turned over the
balance TO the allies for such disposition
in the way of payment Of indemnity claims
a. seemed best.
With this idea in mind. | approached
Gen. Chafee and told him the whole story,