Tsingtao, Jan. 4
Although Japanese troops have o cupied Tsingtao and tranquillity reigns supreme again, this delayed letter from the city, supplements briefer cable reports already published, and paints a vivid picture of conditions in the resort city over the Year holidays, Taking advantage of a sudden crack-up of the forces responsible for law and order here and.: hearing that the entire police force and all administrative officials had defected and left their posts in a panic, looters ran amok in the: early hours of December 31, and commenced burning and pillaging evacuated Japanese homes and shops in the outlying and business sections of the city, But for the prompt action of.the foreign citizens volunteer corps (not equipped with. firearms) and a few armed police, would have, if left unchecked, probably carried their depredations into foreign-owned property also, as mob psychology would have made no discriminations.
Anticipating just such an emergency, a few public-spirited foreign Citizens had approached their respective Consular representatives previously to obtain their views on the formation of a body of volunteers for Chi bell. protection. This matter at approval and immediately e Es it began among the British, German, Russian and other residents and a list of about 200 names of those willing to serve was secured. he work of Organizing was in the hands of the following who formed the Headquarters Staff; Messrs. A. R. Hogg, P. Hesse, M. P. Belov," Melenetsky, and A. E. Grub.
Headquarters was established at the German Club with Sub-stations at Iltis Brunnen (Iltis. Huk), Cate Courort, St, Giles School and International Club,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.