Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-03-01
Sudden Outbreak of Yuan Shi Ka'S Troops Causes
a Reign Of Terror at Peking
NATIVES SLAUGHTERED BUT FOREIGNERS SAFE
Fires Started in Various Sections of the Cy-Buet Strikes
American Legation Wall in Close Proximity to Num-
Der of Observation-Disclosures Not Moested-Home of
American Famiy Abandoned to Looters-All Quiet Now

Peking, March L q a. MIA
mutiny of Yuan Sm Kais soldiers
started in Peking at O'Clock last
night. Many Of the natives have been
killed or wounded but so far as known
all foreigners are safe The legation
quarter is crowded but the mission
aries are holding forth in their own
compounds.
No Known Reason for Outbreak.
When the outbreak occurred it was
estimated that 1000 soldiers took part,
but since the mutineers have been
augmented BY large numbers of the
police, coolies and loafers. The lega-
tlons Know no reason for the outbreak.
Looting from House to House.
The idea is expressed that Yuan Shi
Kais soldiers began the trouble when
they learned that he intended to leave
the capital for Nanking. The soldiers
are everywhere, looting from house to
house. They have not spared even the
foreign residences within one block Of
the legation quarter.
Several Fires Started.
Fires were started in various sec
tions and space more than a mile in
area has been burned over. This
stretches from the Forbidden City to
the building of the Chinese foreign
board, where Yuan Shi Kai resides.
The flames reach within half q mile OF
the legations. The quarters occupied
by the Marking delegates who came
here to notify Premier Yuan Of his
election as president have been en-
veloped in fire.
Home of Americans Looted.
Ay.1ouo 10 ,.ae,r--.rg ,r A,,9ts
can legation are Willard d. Straight
! eX-American consul general ~ Muk-
den and now the representative Of a
New York financial syndicate, and bis
wife, who was Miss Dorothy r. Whit
ney. daughter Of the late William O.
! Whitney, and Daniel A. De MenOCal
the representative of the international
Banking corporation at Pcking, and his
wife. all of whom bad thrilling eX-
periences as they traversed the streets
in which the Chinese troops We're en-
gagged in looting. The soldiers did not
attempt to interfere with them. but
| there was great danger from flying
! bullets and f1rebrands which were
| flourished in all directions. Mr.. ant
/ Mrs Straight saved their records and
! valuables. but deserted a richly fur
/ nished house, which was given over tC
/ the looters.
American Legation Most Exposed.
The American is the most exposed
/ legation, because II lies outside tn,
main quadrangle Of the quarter. The
! American end Of Legation street IS tho
! only unclosed section. The Legation
| recently considered the adyisabiitv o.
! putting up berricades. but not caring
/ to excite Chinese suspicious merel!
: = IA ~.1
/ wire, which have now been ~0ore ef.
| feotfvely rearranged for defensive pur
! poses.
Soldiers on Legation Walls.
The Peking garrison now numbers
about 1000. and it is not anticipated
that the Chinese will attack the lega
tions, their principal object being pill
lage. The sight of the soldiers aioni
| the legation walls silhouetted agains
1 the burning city was an impressive ON
tonight The flames illuminated tn
golden tiled roofs Of the palace ant
! threw a glare upon the thousand
crowding the streets and struggling
among themselves for the loot Whicl
they are unable to carry away. A
yet fires have not broken out within
( the Forbidden City, indicating that tn
| Manchu troops are guarding the EN-
press dowager and the emperor faith
fully.
Dead and Wounded Lie in Streets.
The foreign soldiers who have re
turned to the quarter after doing dut
in the streets and fugitives who hav
! arrived describe their experiences a
thrilling. Chinese soldiers broke int
hundreds of houses. Sometimes the
desisted when informed that the hous
was the property Of foreigners. Onl
articles OF great value were taker
Property Of all kinds which had bee
gathered up in the first attacks wa