Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-02
RIOTS
RESUMED AS
NIGHT SETS IN
Looting Of Stores and Resi-
dences by Army Mutt
neers Continues Today;
Desultory Shooting.

n Pekin, China, MarCn l.-At Hall
past seven this evening desultory
shooting again began in the city.
4 1t is believed that Yuan Shi kat
has lost some of his control. None OF
the troops except the Manchus are TO
be depended on and they evidently
care only to defend the imperial and
forbidden cities.
The smoldering fires in, many dis
tricts of the city are this evening be-
ing raked over by throngs OF the
poor. No fresh fires have occurred
today but there has been some further
looting
Some detachments of the old style
turbaned troops have been brought to
the city today and 1t is reliably re-
ported that Yuan Shi Kai is bringing
back also the Manchu troops who were
ousted recently from the city because
it was believed they were a dangerous
element Yuan Shi Kai, 1t Is alleged
has been endeavoring to retain the
support of the soldiers in PeNn by
permitting his bodyguard to do as they
pleased but only a small body OF men
now remain loyal to him.
The delegates from Marking escap-
ed yesterday from the burning resi-
dences where they We're guests OF the
city. They are now staying at hotel
in the legation quarter .
The streets have been thronged all
day, but all shops are closed. Long
lines of carts continue to bring valu-
ables into the legation quarter. Space
being limited in the legation quarter,
only few Of the better class Chinese
- - tn1r r<,f1
Many Christians, however are being
harbored in the mission compounds.
The trains departing for Tlen ism
are crowded with fugitives.
The number of killed during last
nights disturbances proba hly. is rnIer lrs
Zoo. The object OF the rioters 'evi-
dently was loot and not slaughter, ana
the continued firing apparently was
designed to intimidate the people.
Throughout the day looting has
been going on in various parts OF
the city and there have been several
skirmishes between the loyal troops
and the mutineers in the outskirts.
The majority of the mutineers, how
ever, had left the central districts be-
fore morning.
Ten looters charged in the act of
carrying off property were executed
on the spot by loyal soldiers, several
regiments of whom are patrolling the
streets.
The incendiary fires which are
started have all been extinguished or
have died out. The loss is estimated
approximately at $15,000,O00.
The number of casualties that have
occurred among the civilians and the
soldiers is not known, but it Is believed
that the loss Of life has been heavy.
The outbreak was most complete
surprise both to the government and
ito the foreign legations and there Is
some apprehension OF recrudecence
of the disorders tonight.
British Minister Reports on Riots.
London, March 1.-The British for
eign officer received a dispatch this
! morning from Sir John Jordan. British
minister at Pekin, indicating that the
outbreak in Pekin was of sporadic
character and intimating such fav.
orable view of the situation that the
grave fear engendered by the first dis
patches received here has been greatly
allayed.
Sir John cables that Yuan Shi Kai
has notified the foreign legations that
only two regiments stationed IN Pekin
are concerned in the mutiny and that
he is confident he will be able to con.
troll the situation.
The British minister adds that the
damage is not near so great as was at
| first reported. He did not refer In
| any way to the necessity of reinforce
ments SO the British government does
+! not contemplate the dispatch of more
| troops to Pekin.
| The British government considers
that Sir John Jordan's report is SO
favorable that it eliminates all I'M
mediate necessity for international ac
| ton looking to the occupation by for
! eign troops of Pekin.
| Mile Of Territory Razed.
| Fires were started last night in
various sections and territory of more
| than mile In area has been burned
This stretches from the forbidden city
to the building Of the Chinese foreign
hoard where Yuan Shi Kai resides
the flames reaching within half mile
az the legations. The quarters oc
cupied by the Marking delegates, who
came here to notify Premier Yuan o1
his election as president have been
burned.
Much reckless shooting has occur
red and one shell fell into the com
mound Of the American legation but
did not explode.
i y. . u 4