Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-03-01

PEKING, China, March 1, ! A. NJ
A mutiny of Yuan Shi Kai's soldiers
| began in Peking at o'clock last
night Many natives have been killed
or wounded, but so far as known all
| foreigners are safe. The legation
quarter is crowded. but the mission
aries ar eholding forth in their own
compounds.
When the outbreak occurred it was
estimated that 1000 soldiers took
part but since then the mutineers have
been augmented by large numbers OF
the police coolies and loafers The
| legation knows no reason for the out
break. The idea Is expressed that
Yuan Shi Kai's soldiers began the
trouble when they learned that he in
tended to leave the capital for Nam
king.
The soldiers are everywhere, looting
| from house to house. They have not
spared even foreign residences within
one block of the legation quarter.
Fires are Starred.
Fires were started in various sec
tions and more than a mile in area
has been burned.
The quarters occupied by the Nam
king delegates who came here to noti-
| fy Premier Yuan of his election as
president have been burned. Much
reckless shooting has occurred and
one shell, which fell into the COM
pound of the American legation tore
through the tent of one of the sol
diers of the recently arrived reinforce
ment but did not explode.
Among the refugees at the Ameri-
can legation are willard ID. Straight,
ex American consul at Mukden. and
his wife, who was Miss Dorothy p.
Whitney, daughter of the late William
C. Whitney. both of whom had thrill
ing experiences as they traversed the
streets In which the Chinese troops
We're engaged in looting. The sol
diers did not attempt to interfere with
them, but there was great danger
from flying bullets and fire brands
which were llourished in all direc-
tions. Mr.. and Mrs Straight saved
the records and valuables but de
serted a richly furnished house which
was given over to the looters.
The American end of the legation
street is the only enclosed section
The legation recently considered put
ting up barricades, but not caring to
excite Chinese suspicion, merely de-
pended on sandbags and barb wire,
which has been more effectively ar
ranged for defensive purposes.
Americans are Alarmed
The British legation is sending de-
tachments throughout the city TO
protect British missions. The Ameri-
can commandant. Major Russell, says
the American missions are well sup
piled with rifles and are able to de-
fend themselves. The japanese is
the only legation without frontage on
the Chinese city. Therefore the Jap
anese detachment is reinforcing the
others and also doing special outpost
service beyond the sand bags
The Pekin garrison now numbers
about 1000, and 1t is not anticipated
the Chinese will attack the legations,
their principal object being pillage.
The sight of the soldiers along the
legation walls silhouetted against the
burning city was an impressive one
tonight The flames Illuminated the
golden tiled roofs of the palaces and
threw glare upon thousands crowd
ing the streets and struggling among
themselves for loot they are unable to
carry away As yet fires have not
broken out within the forbidden city,
indicating that the Manchu troops are
guarding the empress dowager and
the emperor faithfully.
Foreign soldiers who returned to
quarters after service In the streets,
and fugltives who have arrived. de-.
scribe their experiences as thrilling.
Chinese soldiers broke into hundreds
of houses Sometimes they desisted
when informed that the house was
the property OF foreigners. Only arti-
cles of great value were taken. Prop
erty of all kinds which had been gath
cred up in the first attacks was cast
aside to make room for loot worth
more. Dead and wounded were lying
I'm the streets.
An English family living opposite
the quarters OF the Nanking delegates.