LOOTING OF HANKOW

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 156, 30 December 1911, Page 9 (Supplement)

LOOTING OF HANKOW

A THRILLING NARRATIVE. The burning of the native city of Hankow, which has been progressing under the direction of the Imperial generals during the first week of November, is now complete (writes the Sydney Telegraph's Shanghai correspondent). Where there, was once, a splendid city, with a population of over half a million, fine streets adorned with business houses which would have, been a decoration to any city, temples innumerable, missions, hospitals, foreign residences, electric light and water services of great value, there is now but smoking ruins. With live shells, lyddite and kerosene the Imperial troops swept through the streets, destroying and burning. Nothing could stay them. Shells from the batteries posted at Wuchang by the rebels had no influence in checking the terrible and wanton holocaust. Nor were their feelings touched by the sight of thousands of residents running screaming from the flames, from bursting shell and falling buildings. Immense clouds of smoke totally obscured the sun. From the midst could be heard the noises of an inferno. Foreigners stood by to save the Concessions from envelopment, but fortunately the wind favored them and drove the flames in other directions. How much the damage represents in actual money cannot be estimated. How many lives were sacrificed will never be known.

HOW THE BLIND BOYS AWAITED DEATH. Only three-quarters of an hour was granted the foreign volunteers who wished to penetrate the flames to the hospital sheltering 150 wounded soldiers and SO blind boys, to effect a rescue. For that brief space of time the Imperial general said he would hold his shell- fire from the city. But he would resume without fail upon its expiry. Twenty foreigners, . with., a detail of the Chinese Red Cross, rushed into the rolling'smoke, penetrated two miles of smoke and flame-filled streets, under ; the hail of screaming shell destined for the forts across the river, and found the mission intact. On the lawn were all the blind boys, clinging together, hearing the terrible roar of flames, the screaming and demoniacal detonations of bursting shells, the wild, terrified yells of flying fugitives, and seeing nothing. They clung together, waiting in terror for merciful death from a shell; some lying on the ground in abject fear; others sobbing quietly, but hoping that the foreigners away out on the Concession would remember them where their own countrymen failed. The wounded soldiers, unable to move, stretched out in front of the hospitals, watching the oncoming flames, and great clouds of black smoke rolling overhead, wondering where the next shell would burst. And when hope must have gone, they heard shouting from the smokefilled streets, and saw the foreigners running towards them. No pen can describe the scene enacted, for the rescuers came when hope had been abandoned. There was no time for any reception but tearful gratitude. White men shouldered the litters, carrying the wounded men—who, a week ago, they would have kicked out of their way—the whole distance to the river, where a launch was waiting. Before they reached the outside of the city the Imperial general resumed shelling. Grave risks were run, but none of the rescuing party nor of the rescued suffered. IMPERIALISTS' DIFFICULT POSITION. Under stress of flame and shells the rebels retired across the river to the fortifications of Hanying and Wuchang, and there sent back a telling fire against the Imperialists, but could not shake the artillery fire. Later the force of Imperialists were using heavier guns than formerly, but it was difficult to make any effect on the fortifications. Unless an enveloping movement is made little result will be achieved, with a great expenditure of ammunition that the Imperialists cannot afford, in view of the fact that no supplies can pass, as the rebels are holding the line to the north! Already one train-load of ammunition has been seized and detained on the railway, and the ships on the river are prevented from running supplies through the fo«' reign Consuls maintaining strict neutrality. For this reason the Imperialists are in a difficult position. Unless a truce is called, as is daily threatened, or they win out quickly, 'they will be in a desperate position shortly' Already 10,000 of their men have disappeared somewhere. Meantime, about 20,000, with good artillerists, keep the rebels engaged in front. Some of the loyalists are getting very tired of fighting, and would desert if it were possible. But any tendency directed in that direction would bring the executioner's sword into operation without delay.

WANTON EXCESSES. Who is in supreme command of the Imperialists it is difficult to say. Yuan Shih Kai was accorded the command, but never seemed to get any further down the line than twenty or thirty miles from Hankow, and then was only there one day, leaving almost at once for Pekin. To his door is being laid the charge for the destruction of Hankow city, and the National Assembly is calling upon the Imperial House to pay the indemnity out of its own pockets. More harm has been done, the Manchu cause by the wanton acts of the Imperialist soldiers than by anything else. These people who live and sympathise with them have gone to the rebel side. The troops in the northern garrisons refrain from action. Seeing what has gone forward in the vortex of the conflict, it is now impossible for the Throne to command their services. In the southern provinces the whole people have turned against them. No troops, no money will be forthcoming. The Manchus have placed themselves in a position to be hoist with their own petard. The people are ready to do the hoisting. What will be the result of the terrible sacrifice of blood at Hankow it is difficult to say; though it is believed that the rebels will hold out. They have recruits by the thousands a day; despite the deaths daily occurring before their eyes, raw men are wishing to enlist. The Chinese have a bigger score than ever to wipe off now. They are not lacking in men for the task. They are handicapped, of course, not being able to get trained men, but hope that numbers will prevail.