OUTRAGE BY CHINESE SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 220, 27 November 1875, Page 22

OUTRAGE BY CHINESE SOLDIERS.

The North China Daily News says : —A body of 1921 Chinese, troops was landed on July 24, from the Flamingo (s.), at one of the lower Hongkew wharfs, Shanghai. They came from Takao, in Formose, in which island they had formed part of the force sent to reduce the aborigines. On landing, they were formed up in the usual Chinese order of marching, the van led by a large number of bannerbearers, the banners being furled round the pole and carried in awkward fashion. The soldiers were accompanied by a multitude of coolies, conveying pots and kettles, bedding, &c., &c. On debouching into the Hongkew road, they swarmed all across it, and obstructed the traffic so completely that both drivers and pedestrians were obliged to draw to the side, and wait while they passed. In addition to the annoyance thus caused, some of the men yelled and made disgusting grimaces at every foreigner they saw; while others amused themselves by pushing the poles of their pikes and flags against ponies’ heads or legs, or swinging the poles around just over the heads of pedestrians, caused them to duck to avoid a blow, a movement that excited yells and laughter, not only from the soldiery, but also from the resident Chinese crowding the thoroughfare. On nearing the English settlement, the troops marched in a more orderly and quiet manner—at least we have heard of no misconduct on the Bund—but after crossing the Yang-king-pang, their

rowdyism showed itself in further insults and in one instance positive outrage. A lady and gentleman were driving along the French Bund, and meeting the rabble, endeavored to avoid them as much as possible by giving up the road to them. Two of the ruffians nevertheless deliberately lowered their pikes, and struck both the lady and gentleman ! One blow fell on the gentleman's temple, and also knocked off the lady’s bonnet; the other blow took effect on the lady’s face, and was pf such force as to cause a very severe bruise. This brutal conduct, we are told, received the applause of all the Chinese who saw it; the march out of the settlement being thus marked with the same gross misconduct that distinguished its commencement. The men were en route for Kiangnan Arsenal ; so why they were landed in Hongkew, it is difficult to say. Some of them seemed to be suffering from disease, and could hardly keep un with their more robust comrades ; and others, still worse were obliged to be conveyed in wheelbarrows. Three of the poor wretches died alongside the wharf, the bodies being taken away, we are informed, in sampans. The arms carried by the men were of the most miscellaneous description,—rifles, spears, tridents, pikes, swords, &c.—all apparently in wretched condition from rust and dirt.

Such blackguardism as we have described will very surely not be let go unpunished. The case falls, we believe, more especially into the hands of the United States and French Consuls-General—the lady and gentleman struck being Americans, and tbe chief outrage having occurred in the French Settlement. But all nationalities are interested, and the occasion should be taken to request that Chinese soldiers may not be marched through the foreign settlements.