PEKING RISING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1379, 4 March 1912, Page 5

PEKING RISING.

YUAN'S PRESTIGE SUFFERS. GENERAL DISAFFECTION AMONG TROOPS. Br TelerrEDh-Presi AaaoolalUn-GiDjrtjhl (Ecc. March 8, 5.5 p.m.) Peking, March 2. Tho President, Tuan-Shih-Kai is gratified that foreigners were not attacked during the rising of the troops in Peking. The mutiny was due to unwarranted rumours among Hie soldiers that their pay was to bo reduced. Nevertheless, tho fact of an outbreak originating amongst Yuan-Shih-Kai's own soldiers has shaken confidence in the President's authority. Tho plunderers deposited tons of valuable, loot in tho Foreign Office compound, whence it was conveyed southward by two trains commandeered by the mutineers. The fire did great destruction. Tho historic gate facing tho entry to tho Forbidden City has vanished, the great market in the vicinity has been consumed, and rows of shops aro in ruins. The disorder spread beyond the city, anil firing has been heard southwards. A state of general disaffection prevails amongst the troops. The looters acted at their officers' orders. Later advices state that robbeiy and incendiarism have been resumed in the southern and western sections of tho city. Four fires are raging, and the people are fleeing. IMMENSE DAMAGE DONE. LOOTING CONTINUES. Poking, March I. Looting of houses' and banks continues. Property of foreigners has suffered much damage. Ten looters were executed. Tho losses are, approximately, £3,000,000.

FOREIGN TROOPS SUMMONED. LEGATIONS PREPARED FOR SIEGE. (Eec March i, 0.30 a.m.) Peking, Starch 3. The Foreign Ministers have decided it summon all available foreign troops from the adjacent ports. A thousand will arrive to-daj. A Japanese battleship lias liwn ordered to Taku, to establish wireless communication Willi the Italian station at Peking. Tho Legations nro preparing for a siege. The. mutineers have looted Paoting-fu and burned large areas of the city.