Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-13
TROOP LEAVE
vs.! vs.! y !! !! !: lila FOR
CHINA TODAY
Infantry Leaving to Guard
Section of Pekin Railway,
Warned by Gen. Bell to
Treat Chinese Courteously

Manila, Jan. 1.-THE United States
transport Logan left this afternoon at
half past two with battalion Of the
fifteenth infantry and other details on
board on the way to Chin Wang Tao
l.. northern China. The American
troops after they have disembarked
are to be employed in guarding Sec
ton of the Pekin railroad from Tang
BILE attack of either imperialists or re-
publican troops. The departure took
place in the presence of throng OF
civilians and soldiers of other regi-
ments, while women crowded the quay
bidding fearful farewells and wishing
God speed to the troops. No women
were allowed to accompany the expedi.
tion. Aa- VA
Major General Franklin J. Bell, COM
mander in chief of the army in the
Philippine islands made a short part
ing speech to the officers and men of
the expedition. cs Il
General Bell Cautions Troops.
General Bell urged the troops to
show pride In their American citizen
ship while they were on foreign soil.
Chinese, he said, were worthy of a
square deal, and he expected the
American soldiers to treat them in
worthy way. He begged the officers
and men to be very particular IN re-
gard to the courtesies and salutes to
other foreign officers and he impress
sed on the men the necessity for main
tanning their reputation for cleanliness
and neat personal appearance. In
conclusion he explained the desirable
ity Of maintaining the most friendly
relations with all foreigners with whom
they should come in contact. 5a
e. rhe loading Of the transport Logan
was not completed until shortly after
midday. IA driving rain which fell
the forenoon caused con-
siderable delay. The ninety-five
horses and mules which are attached
to the expedition as gun teams and
draft horses we're taken on board at
the last moment Eight big army
wagons were also shipped as well as
an automobile truck and one or two
ambulances.
General Bell accompanied by his
staff, made a thorough inspection OF
the vessel and of each man Of the ex-
pedition before noon. He talked for
several minutes with the assembled
officers of the regiment giving them
their final instructions.
Captain Peter W. Davidson, fourth
infantry, one of General Bells aides
de camp Is accompanying the expedi-
ton to Chang Wang Tao but will re-
turn to Manila as soon as the troops
have landed.
AS the vessel left the quay side the
band Of the fifteenth infantry played
a selection of patriotic airs and there
was much waving of handkerchiefs
and flags until she was lost to view.
Serious Reports From Lanchow
London, Jan. 12.-The gravest re-
ports are coming regarding the situa-
ton at Lanchow, according to a news
agency dispatch from Tien Tsin, the
report reached that city yesterday that
the imperial troops were acting with
the most fiendish brutality.
The allegation is made that they cap
tured an Office of the republican troops
whom they first tortured and subse-
quently skinned alive. They also shot
a Red Cross assistant
ItI is further reported that they are
shooting without mercy every China
man whom they encounter without a
queue. 4
The imperial troops it is stated, are
without discipline and have got COM
pletely out of hand.