The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-05-06
WILLINGLY GAVE LIVES
HEROISM OF JAPANESE IN SIEGE
OF PEkING.
Wall Had to Be Destroyed, and They
Were There to Do 1t, the Cost
Being Of Little Con-
sideration.

Among the few veterans living In
Philadelphia who took part in the
Spanish-American war and also were
present at the taking of Picking, is Po-
Iiceman Felix Williams, and, while he
passed through the stirring scenes in
cident to the occupation of the Philip
pine islands as marine, when he gets
orally selects those connected with the
conquest of China and particularly
with the taking of Picking.
One story of heroic self-sacrifice, as
told by Williams, is as follows.
"You see we had gone up to Peking
without artillery. The country was
rough and hilly and it was not con-
sidered practical to transport even the
lighter guns. That mistake was
made in not doing so soon became
evident after we began the siege. A
two-inch gun of any description would
have solved the problem in half an
hour. AS it was, there we lay within
easy distance of the walls of the city,
and although several attempts to take
them by storm were made, they all re-
suited in failure.
"Well, something had to be done. 1t
was impossible to send back for art1l-
lery even if it could have been brought
up, and so the Japs elected to solve
the problem. They went to work man.
ufacturing bombs.
"The first attempt, and the second
and third failed. For every time the
Japs had their bombs placed and the
fuses sputtering the Boxers would sue
coed in pushing them away far enough
so that when they exploded they did
no harm 1t began to look after the
repeated failures as though some other
means would have to be devised. And
then there took place a little confer
ence between several Of the Japanese
officers. They talked for a while and
pretty soon one of them approached
Japanese company and said some
thing Whatever it was seemed to hit
their fancy, for there was a general
move as if they all wanted the chance.
The officer picked out two, and they
laid aside their arms and dropped to
the rear
after a little while the next bomb
was brought up. The two Japs that
had fallen out took it and started for
the gate. Of course, everybody was
watching. Even the Boxers could be
seen taking an interest in what was
going to happen. The Japs got to the
gate all right, put the bomb where
they wanted it, started the fuse and
then lay down on it, just holding it in
place.
"The Boxers tried their best to push
it away, but the Japs just stuck. OF
course, it did the trick so far as the
gate was concerned, and as for the
two Japs nothing was seen OF them
after the explosion"
Williams has many interesting
stories about life in the Philippines.
At Olangopo, with others of the bri-
gade, he Toasted for several days on the
most delicious venison. In fact, the
Chink cook who ran the place had
lOHS WdlIlH6 hHO AiOo' VI VIZ
One afternoon, quite by accident, one
of Williams friends had occasion to
inspect the rear of the shack When
he returned he invited Williams and
several of the men to return with him.
assuring them he had made a discov-
cry they would all appreciate. When
they turned the rear of the hut there
sat two Chinks skinning monkeys. 1t
was the solution of the plentiful sup
ply of venison.