New-York tribune., 1912-03-03
Two Hundred Men at Tien-TSIn
Ordered Forward to Rein
force Legation Guard.
lMPERlALS REC0N0UER CITY
Legations Prepare for Siege as
Martial Law Is Proclaimed
in Capital-No Direct
Attack Feared.

mediately for Peking to reinforce the
legation guard.
1t is reported that fighting has broken
out at Feng-Tai, tW two miles from
Peking. A train pro- 9 from Tien-
Tsin to Peking to-day d up by
the mutineers
Yuan Shih-kai has instr the Tien-
Tsin Viceroy TO watch for signs OF dis
turbances and shoot offenders forthwith
on the slightest evidence of insubordina-
ton.
Yung Ping-fu, TO the north Of Ian
Chau, has been terrorized by troops re-
turning from Hankow. The city fathers
endeavored TO conciliate the soldiers by
presents of pork and -four
Washington, March 2.-Messages from
Minister Calhoun at Peking received at
the State Department to-day stated that
a Manchu attack on Peking was threat
ened. No further information on the
impending attack was made public by
the officials, but IL undoubtedly was the
cause Of the foreign ministers in the
Chinese capital calling into Peking the
troops Of different nationalities.
There are now ten thousand for
eign troops Of various nationalities in
III u part OF China bordering the Gulf of
Pc Chill and lying between Peking and
Chin Wang-tao. The greater part of
this force is disposed along the line Of
railway that connects Peking with the
sea, the majority being near Tien-Tsin
or three hours by rail of the capital.
If the international force in China Is
to be strengthened as a result of events
in Peklng, probably the first reinforce
ment must come from Japan and from
the Russian garrisons in Northern Man
chura. The War Department stands
ready to see that the United States is
fairly represented in any augmented
force. The American troops, like the last
reinforcements for China, must come
from the Philippines. The big army
transport Sheridan is now lying at Ma
Mia, about 10 embark the 14th Cavalry
for home Either this regiment or one
of infantry could be dispatched at
twenty-four hours notice. The transport
Sherman, outward bound from San Fran
cisco, also Is due at Manila on Monday.
Peking. March 3.--Martial law, which
has been proclaimed in the capital, is oper-
ating successfully. AT o'clock this morn
ing quiet prevailed in the vicinity Of the
legations. but continual cannonading was
heard in the direction of Feng-Tai, with
which communication has been temporarily
cut off.
The detachment Of American troops from
Tien-Tsln IS due TO arrive here at 80
o'clock this morning. One train due from
that city at 80 last evening has not yet
reached here.
The legations are preparing for a siege.
Direct attacks on the legation quarter are
not feared, but the Chinese troops possess
many modern guns. which might be used
effectively If turned in the direction Of the
legations.
BY the dynamiting of the bridges on the
Hankow Railway and because Of the fight
ing along the Tien-Tsin line. Peking is out
for the present. The foreign guard along
the railway will be increased.
The diplomatic body held a conference
last night and considered measures for the
restoration and maintenance Of communi-
cation with Tien-Tsin. The river IS now
open. therefore il may not be necessary TO
guard the line between Tien-Tsin and Chin
Wang-tao, as it will be possible TO reach
the sea by way Of the river
Unable to Stop Lootins
II is reported here that the Third and
Twentieth divisions are battling at Feng-
tai where 100 British troops are stationed.
The Britshers, while protecting women and
children, have been unable 20 stop the
looting, and could not prevent the burning
OF the station y passenger train, which
was bound for Peking, returned TO Tien-
Tsin. fearing 10 pass through the Feng-tai
region
Tho legations would not be surprised
should all telegraphic communication be in
terrupted, and, because Of this they are ar
ranging q wireless system between the Ital-
ian towers here and Japanese warship at
Tlen-Tsin The ministers are agreed that
the present garrisons are sufficient 10 pro-
tect the legation quarter. but think It ad-
visable that the legation guards be rein
forced by one thousand additional troops.
These are scheduled TO arrive here to-day.
The action OF the ministers in calling in
foreign troops 10 Peking was decided on at
O. meeting convened partly as a result OF
from Tang ShaoY asking
the powers TO take measures TO prevent
further bloodshed and loss Of property IN
Peking.
Tang Shao-yi's communication is regard
ed as unofficial, but the foreign ministers
were satisfied that action was necessary.
The foreign troops will be mounted and
will patrol the city during the daytime
Palace Gate oheIled.
The renewal of the disorders began at Q
a. m, when q detachment OF artillery,
headed by band, marched TO the palace OF
father OF the Empress Dowager and shelled
down the gate. The men looted large
amount OF property and burned portion
of the palace.
Whole streets of shops have been looted
and many houses set on hre. The civilian
population is armlng and bsrrieading' pri-
vate premises and barricades are being
erected I'm the streets.
Tho soldiers Of the Imperial Guard ana
those belonging to Chang Huai.chih's -rmy
are now nominally In control OF Ftkins.
II remains to be seen whether they are
much better than the mutineers.
Fears are entertained for the safety OF
the missionaries at Pao Ting-fu, which has
been looted and partially burned, and
other cities in the south, where the mutlny
is spreading The foreigners resident in
these cities have been unable to Escape
owing TO tho destruction OF the h"idses'
News reaching here indicates that aum-
Der OF these towns have been sackec.