The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-01
.nded to leave the capital for Nan.

IN TsSS hot spared even torelgn resi-
S3a fences within one block of the lcga-
S3ttons. Fires were started In various
||sss3f ections, and territory of more than
>SSSSs mile In area has been burned. This
&Sst sretches from tho Forbidden City to
$Hhe building Gf the Chinese Foreign
$8a9soard. where Yuan Shi Kai resides.
&a the flames reaching within half
A9mile of the legations The quarters
E#occupied by the Nanking delegates.
3Tho came here 90 notify Premier Yuan
#of his election as President have been
Menveloped in flames, and 1t is believed
a that the delegates were unable to
q escape.
Shell I'm American legation,
z Much reckless shooting has occurred,
8and ono shell. which fell into the
Tcompound 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 American
legation are Willard ID. Straight. en-
American consul general at Mukden,
and now the repre- sentative OF ii New
York financial syndicate, and his wife,
who was Miss Dorothy y. Whitney,
\ daughter OF the late William c. Whit
ney, and Daniel 4. De MenUcal repre-
sentative OF the international Baking
Corporation ut Picking. and his wife
all of whom had thrilling experiences
has they traversed the streets; in which
Chinese troops were engaged in loot
ing.
The soldiers did not attempt to in
terfere with them, but there was great
danger from dying bullets and fire
brands, which We're nourished in air
directions. Air. and Mrs. Straight
saved their RECORDS and vdiua blcs but
deserted richly furnished house,
which was given over 20 the hooters.
The American is the most exposed
lfEV. s..,. 4
, triangle OF Tie quarter The American
end of Legation Street, is the. only
Enclosed section Tho legation recent
" considered putting UP barricades.
but not caring TO excite Chinese sus-
picion, merely depended on sand bags
aud barbcd wire, which has now been
moro effectively rcarranged for defen-
eive purposes.
Able TO Defend Themselves.
The British legation is sending de-
tachments throughout the city to pro-
tect British missions. The American
commandment. Major Russell, says the
american missions are all well sup
piled with rifles and arc able TO de-
1end themselves. The Japanese is the
only legation withou, frontage on the
Chinese city. Therefore the Japanese
detachment is reinforcing the others.
and also doing special outpost service
beyond rhc sand bags.
The Pckihg garrison now numbers
about 1000, and 1t is not anticipated
that the Chinese will attack the Legal
tons their principal object being pill
age The sight of the soldiers along
the legation walls silhouetted against
The burning city, was an impressive
one tonight. The flames Illuminated
-she golden tiled roofs of the palaces
md threw a glare upon the thousands
4crowding the streets and struggling
Al he,
unable 10 carry away. AS yet fires
have not broken out within the for
hidden city, indicating that the Man.
chu troops are guarding the Empress
Dowager and the Emperor faithfully.
Foreign soldiers. who returned to the
quarter after aervice in the streets.
and fugitives who have arrived, de-
;scribs their experiences as thrilling.
Chinese soldiers broke into hundreds
of houses, Sometimes they desisted
when informed that the house was tho
property OF foreigners. Only articles
OF great value were taken. Property
of all kinds which had been gathered
DO n the first attacks was cast aside
to make room for loot OF greater value
Dead and wounded were lying In tho
streets
Seek RcfuEe In Compound.
The American minister Mr.. Calhoun,
and Major Russell. at = late hour, con-
suited with the American missions by
telephone. All expressed their prefer
ence not to leave their own compounds.
The Methodists arc within a block of
the quarter and can be rescued easily
II endangered. The Young Mems
Christian Association members have
taken refuge in the American Board
compound, where 4 detachment Of
American marines reinforces the mis-
sionary garrison. The Presbyterian
mission lies TO the northermost corner
OF the city, thrae miles from the lega.
ton quarter A telephone message In
formed the legation that the mission
people feared 10 traverse tn. streets
because they-were surrounded by mutt
nous soldiers, who frequently shot
through the iron bars OF tho COM
pounds gates. Major Russell offered
to send detachment TO escort them
10 the legation. but considered II inex-
pedient to detach sufficient troops to
remain there for thar protection Two
or three American families have not
been heard from. but 1t Is presumed
no harm has come TO them, owing to
the fact that foreigners have not bc.n
molestcd
Occasionally there Is the sound of
maxim firing, and the booming Of
heavy guns. The officers have been
unable to control the soldiers, md
among the fugitives now housed at
the legations are cfhcials of the Chi
nese foreign board and officers OF the
imperial guards
PaEodns Are Seized.
American soldiers have taken pos
aession of the Chien-Men pagoda and
Germans have occupied the Hata-M Men
pasoda without opposition from the
Chinese soldiers These pagodas over
look the legations and their possession
was considered strntegically necessary.
That the shooting IS getting nearer to
the legation quartet is evidenced By
the fact that one bullet struck the
American legation wall within a few
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