Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-04-14
Quick Action Of American
Naval Officer Frustrated a
Rebel Plot
MASSACRE WAS THREATENED
Foreign Population Would Have Been
Attacked Had the Plans of the Con-
spirators Been Carried out-com-
mander Drake of the Monterey
Highly Praised.

Washington, April 14.-Quick action
and common sense treatment OF a
critical situation by an American naval
officer in China recently saved the for
eign residents in the province OF kwon
Tung. along the east bank of the Cam
ton river, from falling victims to
plot which, while directed primarily
against the Manchurian dynasty, in
evitably would have eliminated in an
attack on the foreign population. While
this attack was ayerted by the precau-
tionary measures taken by Comman-
der +. j. Drake, commanding the Uni
ted States steamship Monterey, with
the assistance of the English gunboats
Sandpiper and Britomart. the French
gunboat Avalanche and the German
tug Shameen, the coalition known 10
have fomented the trouble extends TO
several provinces, and official adyices
received at the state and navy de-
partments show that reactionary meas
ures on a scale far larger than is adj
tives or the Chinese government, have
been planned by the rebels.
Hearing that force OF rebels With
Hung Chun Foo, a native of Wal Chow,
had planned an attack on the viceroy
and Chinese officials of Canton during
the celebrations of the Chinese New
Year during the night of January 70.
Commander Drake prepared to defend
the foreign residents. An armed forca
of 5000 men had entered Canton sur
reptitiously several days before he
learned that news, and were hiding
with sympathizers. AS most of the
foreigners and official representatives
of the various nations resided in Sha-
meen, Commander Drake first COM
pleted his plan of defense for this sec
ton, and then to allay the excitement
which prevailed. he officially Informed
the consulates and Chinese officials of
his preparations, and advised the COM
manders of the English, German and
French gunboats of the line of action
to be pursued in case Shameen island
was attacked. The foreign command
were perfected to meet any trouble that
QeNelOptu, MuelASI vi eitS iSloAN Va VII
water.
Instead OF visiting the holy temple
in the inner city at midnight to offer
incense the viceroy and officials, con-
trary to long custom, remained in their
respective yamens securely guarded.
Around the viceroys yamen alone were
assembled 1000 armed troops. BY
o'clock the gates to the inner city were
closed and the streets cleared.
Many arrests were made that night
in which some compradors We're inn
plicated. and large amounts of stores
were seiZen in houses and shops in
Fong Chun and Fates opposite Sha-
meen. Many other indications of the
intended attack were found, and the
officials agreed that the rebels aban-
doned their plot only because of Com
mander brakes discovery and his
prompt action, and that of the other
foreign commanders in taking ample
precautionary measures. Landing of
an armed force from each of the foreign
men-of-wa had been agreed on by
the American, English, German and
French commanders at the first evil
dence of attack on the foreign section.
Consular advices received at the
state department from Canton call at
tention to the feeling of insecurity
caused by the shortage of the rice
crop. the activity of the reformers and
and the rebellion in Kwang 81.