Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-03-19

CHUNCHUSES ATTACKING A RUSSIAN POST
ON THE MANCHURIAN RAILWAY.
radio efforts to suppress these nee
hooters and after the Boxer uprising
organized 4 corps of mounted militia
for that purpose. The effort was Of
little avail, however, as the Chun-
chuses managed to have their friends
drafted into the corps. and the militia
soon became as great Il ScOurge to the
country as the bandits.
So we'll organized were these bands
of marauders that they had agents
everywhere, who sold flags as passes.
demanding rs the price of protection
so much a wagon load or boat load,
according to its value. The flag of
one band was respected by all the
other bands. and it was almost impos-
sible to do business without paying
tribute.
This was the situation when Russia
took charge of affairs in Manchuria.
The Chunchuses for the most part
avoided. the railway. but made fire.
Quent dashcS along its line, robbing,
killing and levyinG tribute on the vii
layers. Such a nuisance had they be
come in 1901 that General Cierpitsly.
organized an expedition and started to
wipe them out. With relentless energy
he pursued them, and after Il brilliant
campaign of six weeks, in which 1000
OF the robbers We're killed. 5000 taken
prisoners and the rest dispersed. he ap-
parently had broken their power. But
the relief was only temporary, and
now that the Russians have Il war on
their hands the freebOOterS are as ac-
tive as ever.
They hate the "stinking Tartars," as
they call the subjects of the car. for
the reason that if the Russians are
victorious they will be deprived OF
means of existence. y celebrated
Chunchuse leader called Tuensan by
the Russians is said TO be as clever as
De NVet and has given the Russians
several hard battles recently. He has
under him two able Eeutenants, one Of
them Il Chinaman named Tenben, and
the other a Russian convict from the
penal colony at SakhaIin.
Yavantan, another leader, with 800
men, attacked the Russian outpost at
Paleipeotze 4 few days ago and killed
and wounded fOrty-two men out of the
fifty composing the outpost. Still an
other Chunchuse chief. q Chinaman
named Chang, has a well drilled, splcn-
didly mounted and armed force OF
1000 men. These men are nearly as
good horsemen as the COssacks and
meet them on even terms as regards
fighting qualities.
That the Chunchuses have little re-
spect for the Russian troops is shown
by their attack on Newchwang while
the cars troops occupied it. The rob-
bers threatened that if certain sums
were not paid them by the Chinese res
idents Of the town they would attack
it at night, and they did so. invading
the Chinese quarter and robbing the
people. Newchwang was then the sec
ond largest depot for Russian troops
in Manchuria, and the attack was evil
dence of their daring
The Chunchuses are hardy mountain
GERS, nearly six feet high. of splendid
build and very muscular. They are
fond Of athletic sports-shooting, rid
ing and feats Of strength. One of
their most popular games is lifting
heavy weights They have fat and
smooth faces. olive compilations and
straight black hair.
1t IS known that the Japanese have
won over the Chunchuscs to their
cause and have supplied them with
arms and ammunition. Several of the
bands are also believed to be com
manded by Japanese officers. 1t the
same time. the Chinese authorities
along the 3Ianchurian border. especial
" Yuan Shih Kai. the powerful vice
roy Of Chill. who IS under the infiu-
ence Of the japanese. are secretly
WORKING against the car The robber
bands are encouraged and assisted in
their raids on the Russian line OF com
munication. and it IS believed that in
lie event of o.. Isnnortcnt I2,s1 victory