Peking, Dec. 13.
A local rumour is current here misrepresenting the facts of the shooting of Mr. Coltman at Kalgan and attributing the fault to Mr. Coltman, who is alleged to nave defied the soldiers at tht gate.
All the witnesses contradict this impression, showing that Mr. Wooden and Mr. Coltman after a fruitless parley with the guards who objected to the transport of money to Urga consulted Mr. Sobokin, the American Consul, vbh+ after a conference with the anthorities, personally authorized the leery to proceed, taking his seat io Mr. Coltman's car.
The soldiers made no move to stop_the cars, but when both started stepped back 20 feet and opened fire, discharging about 15 shots. Mr. Wooden proceeded sad escaped, but Mr. Coltman stopped, after which a shot passed tircugh his shoulder, shattering the spine. Mr. Wooden subsequently returned and the military confiscated his car and money.
The Chinese officer of the gate guard was very insulting to the Consul and merchants before the shooting took place, and all Janghed when Mr. Coltman was found fatally wounded. The special train conveying Mr. Coltman to Peking was frequently delayed and boarded en route by soldiers who insulted and jostled Mrs. Coltman. My. Coltman's condition is unchanged, and his chances of recovery are almost all.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.