RETURN OF NAVAL BRIGADE, PEH-TANG AND SHAN-HAI-KWAN
After the events recorded in the twelfth chapter, it became certain
that the Navy’s share of work on shore had been completed. However,
the Brigade with its guns remained in Pekin for about a week before
the order was received to return to shipboard. This was recognised to
be inevitable now that the Army had come, and, on the whole, the men
were ready to welcome the change back to their proper role. The Pekin
Brigade embarked on junks at Tung-Chow, and after a very uneventful
journey, arrived at Tientsin on the 3rd of September. Here they
picked up the remainder of the Force with the exception of Captain
Bayley, R.N. (provost-marshal), and his personal staff, and returned
to their ships on the following day, in tugs and lighters. Thus, on
the 5th September, the only representatives of the senior service
ashore were the Blue Marines, a hundred in number, who were left to
garrison the North-west fort, until the time came for its demolition,
and the three officers and two men at Tientsin. A most satisfactory
thing was it to grip one’s messmates by the hand again, and receive
their congratulations on one’s safe return, a feeling marred only by
thoughts of the missing, about whom many questions had to be asked
and answered. Outside the bar, quite close to the fleet, lay the
“Salamis,” on board of which were upwards of 300 men of the New South
Wales and Victoria Naval forces. It was hoped that these fine fellows
would be in time for the occupation of Pasting-fu, which operation
was about to be undertaken by a combined British and French force.
Most of them did take part in this movement, but unfortunately,
either the policy of “Let’s get there first, never mind existing
arrangements,” or an utter lack of appreciation of combined movement,
was responsible for the fact that, when the British force arrived
in front of the town, it was but to see tricolors floating at every
point. The place had fallen, with a very slight resistance, and was
occupied, because it was the headquarters of the Boxer movement, and
the scene of many early atrocities.
To the eastward of Taku, distant about seven miles, lay some other
powerful forts called Peh-tang. The arrangement which had allowed
them to exist during the past three months had been an eminently
common-sense one, when it is considered how the Allies were pressed
for time and men. It was simply this, “You don’t hit me, and you
won’t get hurt,” an arrangement fulfilled to the letter by both
sides. It was, therefore, with feelings of surprise that I, having
finished some duty which took me to Tientsin, and having a day or
two to look round, heard that the French, Russians, Germans, and
Austrians had decided to break the agreement, and attack the forts.
I went down to Tong-Ku with the French officers, and hoped to be
allowed to go with them, but on arrival I found that our two 4-in.
Q.F. guns were being brought up to entrain, and that the Marines
from the fort were to be their escort. This was much better, and I
immediately attached myself to the officer in command of the latter,
and we waited impatiently at the station for the guns. To every
one’s great disgust, the only available trucks were not large enough
to take the improvised field mountings, and the Russian officer in
command of the station would not allow them to be broken. This, of
course, did away with the necessity of an escort, and much to their
disgust, the “Joeys” were marched back to the Fort at two in the
morning. However, by dint of hard walking, a Marine officer and
myself managed to see enough of the action to justify a very short
account of it.
The Allies attacked from the direction of Taku, and numbered in all
about 2600, with a battery of howitzers (Russian) and some French
and German artillery. The engagement commenced at about one o’clock
in the morning, with occasional shots from the forts; but it was
not until daylight that the heavy Howitzer battery replied, and the
fight became general. After a somewhat protracted bombardment, a
general advance took place, and the Force was almost unopposed from
this time. Indeed, so slight were the losses of the Allies, that
it at one time seemed as if the whole affair was a “put up job,”
and this supposition was further strengthened by a temporary lull
in the proceedings at about eight o’clock. The advance was again
continued about 9 a.m., and by 10.30 it appeared as if the Forts
had been evacuated. Up till now, the attacking Forces had been
beyond the range of effective rifle fire, but at eleven o’clock, a
bridge about 2000 yards away from the nearest fort was demolished,
and shortly afterwards the trouble commenced. The small company of
Austrian bluejackets was marching along quickly, when a tremendous
explosion took place, and the head of the company was literally blown
to pieces. A sailor had trodden on a contact mine, and the result
was—one officer killed, one wounded; three men killed and twelve
wounded, three of whom afterwards expired. This was the first of a
series of explosions, several of which took effect, the most notable
being that which caused the death of a Russian Engineer Officer, who
had been indefatigable in his exertions to find and destroy these
deadly weapons before they could do any harm; one, more cunningly
hidden than the rest, practically blew the poor chap to pieces.
No further opposition being encountered, the two forts were
successfully occupied by one o’clock, when it was clearly
demonstrated that the Chinese had left some hours since. It is
doubtful if the enemy lost more than a dozen men in this ridiculous
action, while the loss of the Allies was but slightly larger. It
should be mentioned that the British were carefully prevented from
taking part in this action by the lack of proper intelligence, and
by being thwarted at every turn by the Russians, who only sent word
to the Australian brigade when it was too late to leave Tientsin.
Curiously enough, but perhaps for the same reasons, neither the
Japanese nor Americans participated, but it must be admitted that,
but for the use of land mines, the affair was neither very difficult
nor particularly exciting.
A more interesting, and, to the British, a much more satisfactory
affair, shortly happened at Shan-Hai-Kwan. This place is situated
between 150 and 200 miles to the north-eastward of Taku, and is
the site of some more very powerful forts. It is also a railway
terminus, and once had some slight strategical importance on account
of being the place where the Great Wall of China comes down to meet
the sea. It possesses no Naval value, being an open roadstead, and
ice-bound during the winter months. It became imperative to take the
forts on account of the valuable line of communication afforded by
the railway, and because of the possibility of the place becoming a
rallying centre for the enemy. The “Whens” and “Hows” were the reason
for many conferences between the Admirals; and it became evident
that, to them, it appeared to be a difficult and risky matter, and
one, moreover, likely to entail severe loss on the attacking fleet.
This conclusion having been arrived at, the difficulty arose of
choosing a leader who would make all the arrangements, and hold
himself responsible for the result.
[Illustration: H.M.S. “BARFLEUR.”
[_page 307._]
[Illustration: RAILWAY CROSSING GREAT WALL AT SHAN-HAI-KWAN.
[_page 306._]
I have heard, but refuse to be responsible for the statement, that
both the French and German admirals were asked if they would care
for the task, but declined on various grounds, and that then Sir
Edward Seymour was requested to deal with it, and at once accepted
the responsibility. What credence can be placed in the former part of
this I do not know, but the latter part of it is undoubtedly true,
and the British Commander-in-Chief took the work of organisation in
hand forthwith. As far as the arrangements became public, it was
believed that Admiral Seymour intended to employ none but armoured
ships for the bombardment, and the fleet would probably consist of
H.M.S. “Centurion,” “Barfleur,” and either “Aurora” or “Orlando,”
the first two being battleships and the others armoured cruisers;
“Navarin” and “Sissoi Veliky,” (Russian battleships), two German, one
French, “D’Entre Casteaux” one Japanese “Tokiwa” (armoured cruiser),
one Austrian battleship, and one Italian armoured cruiser, being
a total of, roughly speaking, a dozen heavily armed ships. Before
sailing, however, the “Pigmy,” a small gunboat, was sent on ahead,
with a political officer on board, who was told to endeavour to
parley with the Chinese commanding officer. So the little ship stood
right in under the forts and lowered a boat, when to the captain’s
surprise the Chinese were seen to be streaming out at the back of
the forts, and running up to the hills. He immediately grasped the
situation, and sent one officer and seventeen men ashore to garrison
the five big forts, and to hold them against all comers. He then
went back to Taku as fast as possible, and told the Admiral what
had happened. Was there ever such a ridiculous situation? The forts
had been taken by that powerful and important ship H.M.S. “Pigmy,”
and were at that moment held by the overpowering force of one Naval
officer and seventeen bluejackets; whilst at Taku were waiting a
dozen or so leviathans, with 7000 men at least on board, who as
yet were not aware that they had been baulked of their prey by the
aforesaid gunboat of considerably under 1000 tons! However, the news
had not to be told just yet, and in an hour’s time the “Pigmy” was
hurrying back for all she was worth, packed with Marines to assist
the so-called Garrison. At last she disappeared over the horizon,
and then the secret was let out. Sparks and clouds of smoke were
soon issuing from the funnels of the Fleet’s cruisers, and one by
one, as they raised enough steam to move, they got under weigh for
Shan-Hai-Kwan to see what had really happened. What had happened
was as equally ridiculous as the rest of the farce, for during the
night much tramping was heard around No. 1 Fort, as if an army had
come down to retake the place. And, as a matter of fact, this is
more or less what the noise represented; for the force turned out
to be 4000 Russians, who in their guileless way, had turned up from
goodness knows where, to surprise and capture the forts, without a
word to any of her very good Allies! “Halt! who goes there?” and the
column halted out of sheer surprise. “Who are you,” from the other
party. “The officer commanding the British garrison of Shan-Hai-Kwan
forts,” and so on, till at last the Russian colonel, smelling a rat,
asked to go in. “Very sorry, strictly against my orders, you’d better
encamp in the open to-night.” Sounds of much discontent from outside,
and then, still being dissatisfied about the _bona-fides_ of the
occupation, the column began to solemnly march round each fort, only
to be challenged time after time by the active sentries, who, by dint
of hard running, passed and re-passed each other, with the effect
that the forts appeared to be strongly held. The Russian column,
therefore, retired to the railway station, where they encamped until
authority arrived to give the forts up to the Allies. This was done,
the British laughing heartily for some days to come, at the “capture
of the Shan-Hai-Kwan forts”.
Now, it may be gathered from the recent half-hearted operations,
that the enemy had had more than enough of the struggle, and indeed,
from this time to the conclusion of hostilities, the campaign
degenerated into the hunting down of robber bands, the destruction of
Boxer strongholds, and the almost vain endeavour to prevent actual
collision between the Powers. Tientsin seemed to be the chief place
for the important affrays, which might have led to more serious
consequences had it not been for the prompt measures taken for their
repression. A drunken Russian officer was shot dead by a German
patrol, English officers were pulled out of their Jinrickshaws,
two Russians were shot by an American sentry, a British patrol was
attacked by 250 French and Germans, every member of it was hurt,
but seven killed and eleven wounded was the bill on the other side.
Without American assistance, it is extremely doubtful whether it
would have won its way back to barracks. A mad Sepoy killed a
comrade, and then rushed to the Russian barracks, where he killed
a warrant officer, and wounded three men. This led to an affray
between some of his own comrades, who were chasing him, and the
Russians, who imagined that they were being attacked, which only
resulted in further loss.
And so on, and so on; with incidents like the Tientsin railway
siding, to set the world’s Press on the jabber about War. It appears
that some dispute arose over the piece of ground in question,
which ended in Russia placing double sentries on it. The British
immediately did likewise, to prevent any advance from the further
side. Matters stood like that, until the Russians put half a company
there, when half a company of Indian troops immediately faced them.
This was really rather critical, as but four or five yards separated
the two bodies, who stood, with loaded rifles and fixed bayonets,
eyeing each other with the greatest suspicion. At this time, the
French soldiers off duty used to come up in considerable numbers and
make use of the most filthy expressions anent our Indian troops,
calling them coolies, and worse. This so enraged the men, who
throughout the latter part of the campaign had affected to utterly
despise the French, that it was evident that white soldiers would
have to be employed, and, no others being available, a detachment
of Royal Marine Artillery, than whom no finer body of men exist,
was brought from the forts at Taku. The changing of the guard was
effected by night, and when the French arrived next morning, they
were much astonished to find themselves faced by a body of men who,
even on the colour question, could hardly be called coolies. This
little incident, together with the efficient police work afterwards
carried out by the Australian sailors, completed the work of the
Naval Brigade, and except to the officers and men who took part in
the operations, the China Campaign means but little.
Not much remains to be said. How the Rising nearly spread to the
Yangtse, but was stopped by the powerful Yangtse Viceroys, is common
knowledge. A Fleet, of course, gathered at Wusung at the first
sign of trouble, and a few little things are worth recording. For
instance, the Chinese were completing the armament of the powerful
Yangtse forts with feverish anxiety, and, on one occasion, they found
some difficulty with the mounting of a 15-cm. “Krupp.” A certain
officer happening to notice this, took charge of the party with the
greatest assurance, and, Hey Presto! down came the whole show, much
to every one’s disgust. On another occasion two midshipmen managed
to crawl into the Forts, and had a good look round before they were
discovered and ejected. After this, the Chinese threatened to shoot
at any football parties near the Forts, and the Fleet’s playground
had also to be shifted. Occasionally the Chinese navy used to show
up, and it was a funny sight to see a Chinese cruiser passing up the
river, with the guns of one of our armoured cruisers laid for her
waterline as she passed, and following her up until out of range. An
equally funny sight must have been one of our tiny river gunboats
lying under the 12-in. guns of the up-river forts, pretending that
she was only waiting for the big ’un to start hostilities, before
knocking down the whole place. While things were still a little
touchy, Chinese New Year arrived, and it was rumoured that on that
night the forts would open on the fleets. Every preparation was made,
but nothing happened, and eventually the fleets quietly dispersed to
their respective spheres to give that much-needed leave which all
their hard-worked crews so thoroughly deserved.
The Naval Brigades had done their work. Who shall say it was not as
satisfactory as it was important, or that the British Contingent was
found wanting in any way from first to last? The same traits which
have made it the envy of the World—the initiative, the daring, the
dash—found ample scope in China, and were equally conspicuous there,
as they have ever been elsewhere, when Duty called for their display,
in upholding the glorious traditions of the Senior Service, and of
our ever increasing Empire.
FINIS
INDEX
Admirals’ Conference, 22, 306.
— Decision of, 25.
“Alacrity,” H.M.S. (_See_ British War Vessels.)
Alexieff, Vice-Admiral (Russian), 138.
“Algerine,” H.M.S. (_See_ British War Vessels.)
Allied Troops, 39, 48, 59, 71, 95, 100, 115, 147, 187, 206, 220, 269,
304.
— — Relative strength of, 219.
American assistance, 310.
— War Vessels, “Monocacy,” 31, 105.
— Troops, 292. (_See also_ Allied Troops.)
— — Arms and equipment of, 292.
Arsenals—
Hi-Kuan-Su, 47, 157, 200.
— Burning of, 115.
— Capture of, 146.
Hsi-Ku, 47, 89, 200, 206, 213.
Pei-Yang, 46, 67, 107, 153.
— Taking of, 130.
“Atago.” (_See_ Japanese War Vessels.)
“Aurora,” H.M.S. (_See_ British War Vessels.)
Australian Sailors, 312.
Austrian Troops, 299.
Bayley, Capt., R.N., 301.
Beatty, Commander, D.S.O., 23, 59.
Betts, Capt., R.N., 89.
Bluejackets. (_See_ British Troops.)
“Bobre.” (_See_ Russian War Vessels.)
Boxer Rebellion, Causes of, 9.
— — Outbreak, 15.
Boxers, 10, 270.
— Headquarters, 11.
— Arms, 270.
— Dress, 272.
British Troops—
Arrival of, 196.
Bluejackets, 281.
Organisation of, working on shore, 280.
Arms and accoutrements, 281.
Barracks and Hospital, 283.
(_See also_ Allied Troops.)
British War Vessels—
“Alacrity,” 39.
“Algerine,” 18, 29, 34.
“Aurora,” 74, 307.
“Barfleur,” 32, 140, 307.
“Centurion,” 22, 83, 307.
“Fame,” 30, 36, 37, 38.
“Orlando,” 18, 57, 307.
“Pigmy,” 308.
“Spray,” 98.
“Terrible,” 98, 100.
“Whiting,” 30, 36, 37, 38.
Brown, Lieut., R.N., 107.
Bruce, Major, 144.
Burke, Capt., 170.
Burg-li-Yamen, 247.
Campaign—Important actions of, and claims to precedence in, 243.
“Centurion,” H.M.S. (_See_ British War Vessels.)
— Conference on, 22.
Chaffee, Gen., 234.
Carles, Mr, British Consul, Tientsin, 18.
Chibliat, 270.
Chien-men Gate, 234.
Chihli, 12.
China, Empress of, policy, 232.
Ching, Prince, 15, 251.
Chinese Army, Movement of, 274.
— Regular Troops, 273.
— Imperial Troops, Infantry, 276.
— as rifle shots, 275.
— Uniform, 276.
— Arms and accoutrements, 275, 277.
— Artillery and field guns, 278.
— Cavalry, 279.
— First instructors, 273.
— Tactics and efficiency, 273.
— Guns captured, 142.
Chin-Liang-Ching, 56, 58, 101, 103.
Colomb, Lieut., R.N., 76.
Comparison of troops, 270.
Cracker trick, 81.
Craddock, Commander, R.N., 39, 103.
Donaldson, Midshipman, 146.
Dorward, Gen., 170.
Drummond, Lieut., R.N., 104.
Empress of China, policy, 232.
Esdaile, Midshipman, 144, 146.
“Fame,” H.M.S. (_See_ British War Vessels.)
“Fa-Wan” Tug, 32.
Favier, Père, 236.
Fengtai, 13.
Forbidden City, 244, 245.
Fort “Endymion,” 76, 77.
Fort “Gefion,” 77, 78.
French War Vessels—
“Lion,” 30, 34, 37.
“D’entre Casteaux,” 307.
— Troops, 287.
— Arms and accoutrements, 287.
Frey, Gen., 239.
Fu, 255, 257, 260.
— Killed and wounded in, 268.
Fukishima, Gen., 163.
Gaselee, Gen., 220, 230.
Gausson, Lieut., R.N., 205.
German Troops, 299. (_See_ Allied Troops.)
German War Vessels—
“Iltis,” 30, 34, 37, 299.
“Gilyak.” (_See_ Russian War Vessels.)
Guy, Midshipman, gains V.C., 166.
Halliday, Capt., 254.
Hanlin Library (Pekin), 252.
Hart, Sir Robert, Letter from, 128.
Hi-Kuan-Su Arsenal. (_See_ Arsenals.)
Hong-Kong Regiment, 150.
Ho-si-wa, 231, 222.
Hotel de Pekin, 256.
Hsi-Ku Arsenal. (See Arsenals.)
“Iltis.” (_See_ German War Vessels.)
Indian Troops, 216, 196, 218. (_See_ Allied Troops.)
Italian Troops, 299. (_See_ Allied Troops.)
Japanese War Vessels—
“Atago,” 31.
“Tokiwa,” 307.
— Market, 264.
— Transport, arms, and accoutrements, 296.
— Troops, 295. (_See_ Allied Troops.)
Jellicoe, Capt., wounded, 83.
Jingal, description of, 81.
Kansu Troops, 251.
Ketteler, Baron Von, German Minister, 66, 249.
“Koreetz.” (_See_ Russian War Vessels.)
Krag-Jorgensen, 293.
Lang-Fang Station, 74, 77, 78.
Legation Guards, 250.
Legations, relief of, 231.
— Siege of, 247.
Leonard, Lieut. A. M., 294.
Linevitch, Gen., 245.
“Lion.” (_See_ French War Vessels.)
Lloyd, Capt., R.M.L.I., 160.
Lo-fa, 21, 72, 76, 77.
Losses, 93, 268.
Looting in Tientsin, 182.
— — Pekin, 240.
Lu-Tai, 16, 21, 50.
Canal, 116.
Ma, Gen., 53, 104, 273.
M‘Calla, Capt., U.S.N., 83.
Macdonald, Sir C., 247.
— Interview with Tsung-li-Yamen, 15.
— Telegrams to Seymour and Carles, 18.
Marine Detachments Casualty List, 268.
Matao, 223.
Ministers, meetings of, 17.
— Telegrams of, 18.
“Monocacy.” (_See_ American War Vessels.)
Naval Brigade’s First Encounter, 25.
— — Return, 301.
Nieh, Gen., 16, 20, 82, 273.
Norman, Mr, 14.
Oliphant, Lieut., 168.
“Orlando,” H.M.S. (_See_ British War Vessels).
Pas-ting-fu, 15, 19.
Pathans, 150.
Peh-tang, 41, 53.
— Cathedral, 236, 268.
Pei-Ho River, 27, 77.
Pei-ta-ho, 50, 53.
Pei-Yang Arsenal. (_See_ Arsenals.)
Père Favier, 236.
Peitsang, 266.
Pekin: Explanation of small Relief Force, 70.
— Failure to reach, 94.
— Advance of Relief Force to, 199, 211.
— Losses during Siege of, 269.
— Brigade, 301.
— End of Siege of, 267.
— Gates of—
— Chien-men, 234, 235.
— Shan-huo, 230.
— Tien-an-Men, 245.
— Tung-Pien, 229.
— Wu-Men, 245.
— Military procession through, 243.
— Looting in, 240.
— Forbidden City, Surrender of, 244.
— Forbidden City, entry of, 245.
— Imperial City, entry of, 245.
“Pigmy.” (_See_ British War Vessels.)
Preston, Sergt., R.M.L.I., 260.
Prince Tuan, 247.
— Su, 250.
— Ching, 15, 251.
— Tung-fu-Hsiang, 17, 251, 255.
Russian Forces, 289. (_See_ Allied Troops.)
— Uniform, 290.
— Arms and accoutrements, 290, 291.
— Legation fired, 253.
Russian War Vessels—
“Bobre,” “Gilyak.” “Koreetz,” 30.
“Sissoi Veliky,” 308.
“Navarin,” 307.
Russo-Chinese Bank burnt, 253.
Salamis, 302.
Scott, Capt. Percy, R.N., 200.
Seymour, Admiral Sir Edward, 307.
— Expedition starts, 22.
— Relief of, 113.
— Request for Troops, 114.
Shan-Hai-Kwan Forts, 306, 309.
Shan-huo Gate, 230.
Shan-Matao, 224.
Shansi, 266.
Shantung, 12.
Shirinsky, Col., 115.
“Sissoi Veliky.” (_See_ Russian War Vessels.)
Smith, Lieut., R.N., 74.
“Spray,” H.M.S. (_See_ British War Vessels.)
Stoessel, Gen., 103.
Strouts, Capt., R.M.L.I., 263.
Sycee, 188.
Taku, 27, 99, 100, 111, 138, 154, 200.
— Forts, Description of, 27, 28.
— — Gate, 147, 157, 200.
— — Ultimatum to, 25.
— — Bombardment of, 34.
— — Taking of, 42.
“Terrible,” H.M.S. (_See_ British War Vessels.)
Tientsin, First Siege of, 46.
— Operations for Relief of, 95.
— Relief Force, start to, 100.
— Retirement to, 78, 125.
— Station fight, 151.
— Taking of Native City, 155.
— Blowing up gate of, 173.
— Looting in, 182.
— Allied Commanders in, 198.
— News of fall of, 264.
— Affrays at, 310, 311.
“Tokiwa.” (_See_ Japanese War Vessels.)
Tong-Ku, 27, 38, 102.
Tongshan Railway Works, 23, 50, 51, 54.
Transport Difficulty, 105.
Troops, Order of Precedence in various engagements, 243.
— Comparison of, 270.
Tsi-Tsun, 220.
Tsung-li-Yamen, 13.
— Sir C. Macdonald’s Interview with, 15.
Tuan, Prince, 247.
Tung-Chow Massacre, 17, 224.
— Occupation of, 225.
Tung-fu-Hsiang, Gen., 17, 251, 255.
Tung-Pien Gate. (_See_ Pekin Gates.)
Viceroy, Chinese, 24, 92.
Waldersee, Von, Field Marshal, 242.
Waller, Major, U.S. Marine Artillery, 131.
War Vessels—
American. (_See_ American War Vessels.)
British. (_See_ British War Vessels.)
French. (_See_ French War Vessels.)
German. (_See_ German War Vessels.)
Japanese. (_See_ Japanese War Vessels.)
Russian. (_See_ Russian War Vessels.)
Watts, Mr, ride with Despatches, 62, 98, 104.
Wei-Hai-Wei Regiment, 104, 131, 140, 143, 285.
Welsh Fusiliers, 100, 122, 171, 226.
“Whiting,” H.M.S. (_See_ British War Vessels.)
Wogack, Col., Russian, 58.
Wounded sent to Wei-Hai-Wei, 137.
— Incidents during conveyance of, 201.
Wright, Lieutenant, R.N., wounded, 60.
Wusung, 312.
Yamen, 247.
Yangtse Viceroys, 312.
— Forts, 312.
Yangtsun Railway Bridge, 16, 20, 22, 77, 201.
Yuan-Shi-Kai, Viceroy, 12, 92, 273.
Yung-Ching, 14.
PRINTED BY M’LAREN AND CO., LTD., EDINBURGH
ERRATA
PAGE 11.—In par. beginning “A very common
question is,” etc., _read for_ “they were
9000.” “they were about 90 per cent.”
“ 15, 19.—_For_ “Pas-ting-fu,” _read_ “Pao-ting-fu.”
“ 18.—_For_ “Charles,” _read_ “Carles.”
“ 49.—In par. beginning “Opposite the eastern
end,” after the word “stood” _read_ “some
tin-roofed barracks, surrounded by a wall,
where a number of embryo officers and
some hundreds of Chinese troops,” etc.
“ 162.—After words “of a facial type,” _insert_
“their utterances are usually” before the
words “not fit for publication.”
“ 170.—_For_ Captain “Burkesor,” _read_ “Burke.”
“ 200.—_For_ “Bersagliea,” _read_ “Bersaglieri.”
“ 205.—_For_ “Gausson,” _read_ “Gaussen.”
In Crown 8vo, Cloth Gilt. Price 6s.
RUSSIA OF TO-DAY
BY
E. VON DER BRÜGGEN
Translated by M. SANDWITH
The Times says:—“Few among the numerous books dealing with the
Russian Empire which have appeared of late years will be found more
profitable than Baron von der Brüggen’s ‘Das Heutige Russland,’ an
English version of which has now been published.”
Illustrated London News says:—“Baron von der Brüggen may be
congratulated on having produced a work which, while it undoubtedly
paints the present condition of Russia in very sombre colours, is
nevertheless free from exaggeration. His description of the finances
of the country, and his exposure of the juggleries of M. Witte, are
masterful and convincing; nor can his picture of the condition of
the peasantry be said to be overdrawn. His logic and his facts are
inexorable.”
Leeds Mercury says:—“It will be some time before this book is
superseded. That is the highest tribute we can pay to a compilation
that for fairness, clearness of statement, and exactitude of
knowledge, it would be hard to find a parallel to.... No one can
study it without profit and instruction.”
Crown 8vo, handsome Cloth Gilt. Price 7s. 6d. net
THE MEMOIRS
OF
GERALD O’CONNOR
Of the princely house of the O’Connors of Offaly
in the Kingdom of Ireland
By WILLIAM O’CONNOR MORRIS
County Court Judge and Chairman of Quarter Sessions of Roscommon
and Sligo, and sometime Scholar of Oriel College, Oxford.
“The Memoirs are wonderfully interesting reading, considering that
they sketch in rapid review the scenes and events of a long and
stirring life.”—_Times._
“An altogether charming, and moreover an exceedingly instructive
book.”—_United Service Magazine._
“The Memoirs are interesting, not to say stirring.”—_Saturday Review._
“An interesting historical narrative.”—_St James’s Gazette._
“The Memoirs are of distinct historical value.”—_Daily News._
“It seldom falls to the lot of a reviewer to come across
so fascinating a volume as ‘The Memoirs of Gerald
O’Connor.’”—_Westminster Review._
“The book is thoroughly interesting.”—_Yorkshire Post._
London: DIGBY, LONG & CO., 18 Bouverie St., Fleet St., E.C.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within
the text and consultation of external sources.
Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added,
when a predominant preference was found in the original book.
Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text,
and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.
Pg 66: ‘Baron von Kettler’ replaced by ‘Baron von Ketteler’.
Pg 99: ‘and swan to the’ replaced by ‘and swam to the’.
Pg 200: ‘Hi-Kwan-Su arsenal’ replaced by ‘Hi-Kuan-Su arsenal’.
Pg 226: ‘however, he mildest’ replaced by ‘however, the mildest’.
Pg 230: ‘Punjaub Infantry’ replaced by ‘Punjab Infantry’.
Pg 234: ‘the Monjol market’ replaced by ‘the Mongol market’.
Pg 285: ‘one deserter ook’ replaced by ‘one deserter took’.
Pg 286: ‘red cummerband’ replaced by ‘red cummerbund’.
Pg 293: ‘jambs are infrequent’ replaced by ‘jams are infrequent’.
Index: ‘Burkesor, Capt’ replaced by ‘Burke, Capt’.
Index: ‘Charles, Mr, British Consul’ replaced by
‘Carles, Mr, British Consul’.
Catalog: ‘Das Hentige Russland’ replaced by ‘Das Heutige Russland’.