AUSTRALIANS IN CHINA

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 61

AUSTRALIANS IN CHINA

FAMINE IN THE SHENSI PROVINCE. TRAFFIC IN HUMAN FLESH. PEKIN, December 11. A correspondent with the Australian Contingent gives a graphic account or the experiences of Australians in the vicinity of Pekin. We are, he writes, still standing by waiting for something to happen to relieve the monotony and scare away Australian fever. The general health of the Contingent is good. A, B. Walsh, the smallpox patient is improving, and except for a few colds and one or two cases of rheumatism, we have nothing to complain of. Australian fever is the local name foi* home sickness, and a desire to dodge ice and snow and swelter in the heat- of an Australian Bummer.

“I wouldn’t mind if there was anything to do here, sir,’"’ said an applicant for a return passage on the invalided home ticket, ‘"but 1 ean J t stand doing nothing and,” remembering the parthe was playing, “I’ve a terrible pain m the stomach.” Just so, it is hard to wait, but we had a. Tair warning of that long ago. Doing sentry go when the cold has driven the mercury so far down the tuoe that it owes seven, as the sporting men -say, when the keen northern winds cut through and through three scales of winter clothing, and when, the snow, freezes the hard round soles of the Canadian mocassins and feet are numbed and heavy is depressing work. That strong-minded female, the Dow-ager-Empress, is still out west, and likely to remain there. She had a particularly rough passage over the mountains, and report says is by no means comfortable in her present location. The court, generally, is suffering from the hardships of the journey, and a natural anxiety as to the future*. The army of braves that followed in her tracks xs laying waste the land. The Imperial paymaster skipped with the funds, and authorised the soldiers to take their wages from the people —practically an intimation that they might plunder as they wished. Right u£ to the borders of {Shensi they have looted and pillaged, and fearing trouble with the people, by whom she is -surrounded, the dowager has halted them to await orders.

Meanwhile a terrible famine is raging throughout Shensi, so widespread and severe that human flesh is being sold for food, and the authorities are powerless to prevent the horrible trade. Evidently there is very little of the luxury and comfort with which the Empress has so long been surrounded, but that she will place herself anywhere within reach of the allies is wildly improbable. She can be depended upon to see to it that the Emperor also keeps aloof, Li Hung Chang continues to negotiate with'anyone who will give him audience. Here in Pekin he is all for peace, out in the hills proclamations bearing his authority and ordering death to foreigners are spread broadcast. Prince Tuan has his headquarters, as far as can be gathered, at Taiyuan, and is said to be organising defeated troops for another attack. The allies hope for nothing better. News is just to hand of the issue by the Empress of a secret decree calling on the viceroys to prepare for war. Prince Tuan at least is acting upon it. Apparently the powers that be are less impressed with the dangers of a rising than their subordinates, but that they recognise the existence of minor dangers is evident. In the China field force orders of 30th November the following notice appeared : “Several cases have already occurred of soldiers and followers disappearing; these men were presumably kidnapped, and all ranks should again be warned of the danger they incur by strolling about alone 'in unfrequented places, especially after dark. Fatigue parties detailed for work at a distance from their lines should always have at) least one-third of their own. strength armed and accoutred/’ Among the more recent cases was the murder by shooting of an Indi&n non-commissioned officer and of a Sikh by stabbing, the body of the Sikh being discovered down a well. At the Australians’ headquarters, in consequence of the order, our men travel in threes, and invariably carry arms.