Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1912 — SOLDIERS MUTINY AND BURN PEKIN [ARTICLE]

SOLDIERS MUTINY AND BURN PEKIN

Rioting and Looting Lead to Application of Torch. NEW GOVERNMENT MAY FALL Unable to Cope with Situation and Crisis Is Grave—Foreigners Are Safe So Far in Legation Compounds. Pekin. March 1. Perils from fire and sword are abroad in this city. The soldiers are cut of hand and the authorities have lost all control. Great fires are burning in all directions and the greater portion of the Tartar city has been destroyed. All foreigners are safe in the legation compounds. For some unknown reason, probably, lowever, because they had not been paid, the soldiers mutinied and started fighting. This was followed by noting and Tooting, and then the torch was applied. Fires broke out in all directions and soon the Tartar city was a mass of flames.

Many persons were killed!, but, all forci trs got out of danger in time. Tae legation guards gallantly sallied cut into the disturbed zones and rescued all foreigners residing there.. These were brought into the legation compounds. t The American legation first learned of the outbreak when a spent threeinch shell fell within the guard of the compound. Later on a rifle bullet struck the wall right above where Minister Calhoun was standing. There has undoubtedly been great devastation all over the capital, but it is impossible to obtain any details as no foreigner dare venture outside the legations. Much foreign property has been burred and fires are still raging in all directions. The firing however has practically stopped. One report has it that the troops attacked President Yuan Shih Kai. The soldiers also attacked the rebel delegates from Nankin, and nothing is known ns to what happened to them. The situation bring? on a grave crisis and likely means the failure of the new government. The authorities are absolutely powerless. Foreign reinforcements are on the way to assist those already at the legations, which are safe for the present.