AUSTRALIANS IN CHINA

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4289, 23 February 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

AUSTRALIANS IN CHINA

FAMINE IX THE SHENSI PROVINCE. TRAFFIC IN HUMAN FLESH. PEKIN, December 11. A correspondent- u'itb the Australian Contingent gives a graphic account ol the experiences of Australians iu the vicinity of Pekin. We are, he writes, st ih 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 to improving, and except for. a few colaami one or two cases of rheumatism, we have nothing to complain of. Australian fever is the local name for home sickness, and a desire to dodge ice and snow and swelter in the heat of an Australian summer.

“i wouldn’t mind if there was anything to do here, sir,” said an applicant tor a return passage ou the invalided home ticket, “but 1 can’t stand doing nothing, and,” remembering the pan he was playing, "I’ve a terrible pain in tho .stomach.'’ Just so, it is hard to wait, but we had a Tali warning oi that long ago. Doing sentry go when the cold has driven the mercury so far down the time that it owes seven, as Hie sporting men say, when the keen northern winds cut through and through three scales or winter clothing, anil when tli e snow freezes the hard round soles of the Canadian mocassins and feet are numbed and heavy is depressing worn. That strong-minded female, the Dow-ag.Gi'-n.mpress, is still out west, and likely to remain there. She had a particularly umgh 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 lot ore. The army of braves that followed in her tracks is laying wastttlm land. The Imperial paymaster skipped with the funds, and authorised the soldiers to take their wages from tim people—praetically an intonation that they might plunder as they wished. Right up to the borders of Shensi they have looted and pillaged, and fearing trouble with the people, by whom she is surrtiunded, tho dowager lias halted them to await orders.

.Meanwhile a terrible famine is raging throughout Shensi, so widespread and severe that human flesh is oeiag soil! for food, and the authorities are powerless to prevent the horrible trade. •Evidently there is very little of thr luxury and comfort with which the .Empress'has so long been surrounded, but that she will place herself anywhere within ieach of the allies is wildly haprobable. She can be depended, upon t» 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 lie is all lor 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 lor nothing batter. News is just to hand of the issue by the Empress of a secret decree calling cm the viceroys to prepare lor war. Prince Tuan at least is acting upon it. Apparently the powers that be are. Jess 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. Eatigue parties detailed for work at a distance irom 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 IndlSn non-commissioned othcer 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 m threes, and invariably carry arms. ,