Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-12
American Soldiers Sail From
Manila to Northern China.
SENT TO GUARD RAILROAD
Strict Law Of Neutrality Laid Down
by Gen. Bell.
LANCH0w SITUATION GRAVE
Imperialists Reported to Be Acting
With Fiendish Brutality Toward
Republican Prisoners.

MANILA, January 12.-The United
States transport Logan left this after
noon at 2:3O with a battalion Of the 18th
Infantry and other details on board on
the way to Chin Wang-Tao, in northern
China. After they have disembarked the
American troops are to be employed in
guarding section of the Peking railroad
from Tang-Shan to Lanchow against the
possible attack of either imperialists OF
republican troops. The departure took
place in the presence of throng of civil
ians and soldiers of other regiments,
while women crowded the quay bidding
fearful farewells and wishing Godspeed
to the troops. No women were allowed
to accompany the expedition.
Maj. Gen. J. Franklin Bell. commander
in-chief Of the army in the Philippines,
made a short parting speech to the
officers and men of the expedition just
before the transport sailed. Gen. Bel
urged the troops to show pride in their
American citizenship while they We're on
foreign soil. The Chinese, he said. were
worthy Of a square deal, and he expected
the American soldiers TO treat them in a
worthy way.
Friendly Relations Imperative.
He begged the officers and men to be
very particular in regard to courtesies
and salutes to other foreign officers, and
he impressed upon the men the necessity
for maintaining their reputation for clean
illness and a neat personal appearance.
In conclusion he explained the desirability
OF maintaining the most friendly relations
with all foreigners with whom they
should come into contact.
The loading of the transport Logan was
not completed until shortly after midday.
A driving rain which fell throughout
the forenoon caused considerable delay.
The ninety-five horses and mules which
are attached to the expedition as gun
board at the last moment Eight big
army wagons were also shipped, as we'll
as an automobile truck and one or two
ambulances.
Vessel Closely Inspected.
Cen Bell, accompanied by his staff,
made a thorough inspection Of the ves-
sci and Of each man Of the expedition
before noon. Gen. Bell talked for sew
eral minutes with the assembled OFF,
GERS Of the regiment, giving them their
dnal instructions.
Capt. Peter w. Dawson, 4th Infantry,
one Of Gen. Bells aids-de-camp, is ac-
companying the expedition to Chinwang-
to. but will return to Manila as soon
as the troops have landed.
AS the vessel left the Quayside the
band of the 18th Infantry played a
selection of patriotic airs, and there was
much waving of handkerchiefs and flags
until she was lost to view.
Ferocity Of Imperialists.
LONDON, January 1.-THE gravest re-
situat on at Lanchow. According to a
news agency dispatch from Tientsin. the
report reached that city yesterday that
the imperial troops were acting with the
most fiendish brutality.
The allegations are made that they cap
tured an officer Of the republican troops.
whom they first tortured and subsequently
skinned alive. They also shot a Red Cross
assistant.
1t is further reported that they are
shooting without mercy every Chinese
whom they encounter without a queue.
The imperial troops. 1t Is stated, are
entirely without discipline ID have got
completely out of hand.
Japan Declines to Aid Line.
TOXIC, January l2.--The Japanese gov
eminent has declined, on the ground of
the maintenance of neutrality, 10 assiss
the Chinese revolutionary government to
negotiate loan in japan. The proposal
was made to the Japanese government
through the japanese consul at Shanghai.