Evening star., 1929-09-05

VI WdT.
A., Tientsin had been informed by our lega-
ton in Peiping that the Chinese foreign
ofice (of the northern government)
had received word that 10000 Shansi
tsouthern) troops had broken through
and were only Is miles from Peiping.
The northern forces were then still
! in position to repulse such a small
invading force, but 1t opened our eyes
to the possible danger to Americans
| in Peiping II the southern army should
decide to circle Tientsin and 60 direct
| to Peiping. This possible maneuver
seemed out of the question because of
| the vast loot in Tientsin and the
scarcity Of it in the capital, but we
couldn't afford to take chances.
At that time the administration had
messaged the American Minister in
Peiping, John Van A. MacMurray, that
it was the policy Of our Government
that the American legation should not
be caught mapping in Peiping and be
cut off. The American Minister was
directed to formulate plans to evacuate
Peiping for some other safe refuge
Tientsin preferably-before the lega-
ton personnel was trapped.
He was informed that 1t was not the
intention Of the administration that a
relief column such as that Of the Boxer
days of 1900 should be necessary
Minister MacMurray was ordered to
evacuate just at the proper time, not
too soon and not too late. The re-
sponsibiNty was his alone.
Ready for Dash to Rescue.
The Shansi incident, however. with
its sudden attack, showed how Mr.. Mac
Murray. although faithfully seeking to
carry out the instructions of the State
Department might nevertheless be
caught unaware. 1t was the feeling Of
the Marines that in case our people
were cut of In Peiping we simply could
scene Of what might easily develop into
the murder of helpless American worn-
en- and children, and make no effort
at rescue.
Accordingly plans were quietly pre-
pared providing for an attempt at res
cue If such measure became a neces-
sity-a plan, incidentally, that the adj
ministration approved later.
We had studied carefully the Ill
fated relief expedition of 1900, which.
trusting to railroads, never reached its
destination, but had to be rescued by
another column after more than 400
of its personnel had been killed or
wounded, and then laid our own plans.
As no dependence could be placed on
the railroads and as there is q wagon
road between TientSin and Peiping,
which is passab1e for motor vehicles
about 95 per cent Of the time, q plan
was prepared to send the rescue column
by motor vehicle.
In brief the plan was to send 1000
Marines to Peiping, seize the Temple Of
Heaven, the place most susceptible Of
good defense in the capital; collect
within it all Americans in the city, and
&kaAN. g. a. nk-s..
finally to the coast and aboard our
American men-of-war-by means Of
our airplanes.
Under our plans, which included
many unusual features to prevent delay
and at the same time avoid skirmishes
with hostile troops, we believed we
could reach Peiping in IL hours after
call for help, and accomplish the with
drawal Of the Americans in three days.
The Temple Of Heaven, before the
revolution that changed China from a
monarchy to q republic. for centuries
and dynasties was the citadal of religion
In China. There the emperors Of
China worshiped. It's 1877 acres are
protscted by strong wall. There are
number Of beautifully colored and
decorated tabernacles within. Unused
since the revolution, the place was
overgrown with weeds and flowers, and
trees abounded.
Point Won by Diplomacy.
As our plans called for the landing
and taking Oh of planes within the
comparatively small inclosure, some
how we had to arrange for the clearing
of the place: BY commenting upon the
beauty OF the temple to high govern
r1ent officers we finally persuaded them
that 1t would be splendid achievement
If the place were cleaned up and put
into hrst-claSs shape. The Chinese
agreed TO do this and unknowingly pro-
vtded q splendid landing field in our
emergency fortress"
In Tientsin we had enough motorized
transportation to carry 1000 officers
and men. We obtained an option on
every other available vehicle in the city.
These options provided that at any hour
OF the day or night, at any place. re-
gardless Of circumstances. we might
seize the vehicles when an emergency
arose.
Two Marines were assigned to each
Of the several hundred trucks thus
acquired and it was their duty to know
the whereabouts of their vehicle at all
times and to be ready to take it over
and drive 1t to its designated place.
AS most of these were simply chassis,
we designed and built a special type
of wooden body, all uniform. which
could be adjusted to the chassis in 10
minutes. These special bodies we're
mounted on saw horses in the various
billets. They were stocked with equip
ment and stores, including rations for
five days, and each man had a place
assigned on his particular truck. All
that was necessary when the truck
reached the billet was for the men to
push the body onto the chassis, tighten
few bolts, jump in and leave.
(Tomorrow-"When It's Cheaper to
Buy an Army Than to Fight It."0