The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-06
CHINESE RUN AMUCK.
MUTINOUS TROOPS IN PEKING
PLAY HAVOC WITH CITY.
Missionaries Stick to Their Com.
pounds and Other Aliens Gather i'm
Legation Enclosures.

gan in Peking at s o'clock last night.
Many natives have been killed or
wounded. The legation quarters are
crowded, but the N ssionaries are
holding out in their own compounds.
The mutinous troops have depart
ed from the city. The disorders have
stopped. Yuan Shi Kai and the Nan
king delegates. including Tang Shao
vi. are safe. No foreigners have been
injured.
When the outbreak occurred, it was
estimated that 1000 soldiers took
part. but the mutineers were aug
mented by large numbers Of the po-
lice, coolies and loafers. The lega-
tions know no reasons for the out
break. The idea Is expressed that
Yuan Shi Kaf's soldiers began the
trouble when they learned that he
intended to leave the capital for Nam
king. The soldiers are everywhere
lootiHg from house to house. They
have not spared even foreign resi-
dences within one block Of the lega-
ton quarter.
Fires were started in various sec
tons and territory of more than
mile in area has been burned. This
stretches from the Forbidden City to
the buildings of the Chinese foreign
board, where Yuan Shi Kai resides,
the flames reaching within half a
mile of the legation. The quarters oc-
cupied by the Nanking delegates who
came to notify Yuan Of his election
as president. was enveloped in flames.
but the delegates escaped.
Much reckless shooting occurred.
and one shell. which fell into the
compound Of the American legation
tore through the tent Of one Of the |,
soldiers Of the recently arrived rein !
forcements. but did not explode.
Among the refugees at the Amer i
lean legation are Willard D. Straight,
iormer American consul general at
Mukden and now the representative
OF a New York fir ncial syndicate !
and his wife, who was Miss Dorothy
p. whitney. daughter Of the late VIM.
c. Whitney, and Daniel Mono de
Monocal, representative Of Interna-
tional Banking corporation at Peking.
and his wife, all of-whom- have had |,
thrilling experiences as they traversed
the streets, in which Chinese troops
sft9s8 engaged in footing. The SOL !
diers did not attempt TO interfere with |
them, but there was great danger
from flying bullets and fire brands.
which were fourished in all direc- /
tons. Mr.. and Mrs. Straight saved
their records and valuables but de-
serted a richly furnished house.
which was given over to the looters :
The American is the most exposed
o.
quadrangle Of the quarter. The
American end of Legation street Is
the only uninclosed section. The le-
ga;isn recently considered putting up
barricades, but not caring to excite
Chinese suspicion merely depended
on sandbags and barbed wire. which
has now been more effectively rear
ranged for defensive purposes.
The British legation sent detach-
merts throughout the city to protect ;
British missions. The American COM
mandart. Mai Russell. said the Amer
lean missions were all well supplied
with rifles and were able to defend
themselves. The Japanese is the only
legation with a frontage on the
Chinese city. Therefore the japanese
detachment reinforced the others and
also did special outpost service be-
yond the sandbags.
The sight Of the soldiers along the
legation walls silhouetted against the
burning city was an impressive one.
The flames Illuminated the golden TIL
ed roofs OF the palaces and threw a
glare upon the thousands crowding
the streets and struggling among
Themselves for loot they are unable
to carry away. No fires broke out
within the Forbidden City, indicating
that the Manchu troops guarded the
empress dowager and the emperor
faithfully.
The American minister. Mr.. Cal
houn. and Iaj. Russell at late
hour conferred with the American
missions by telephone. All expressed
their preference not to leave their
own compounds. The Methodists are
within a block of the quarter ana
could be rescued easily If endangered.