2 MARCH 1912, Page 2

During the earlier part of the week there was no

foreign news of importance ; but in Friday's papers there were reports of a serious outbreak among the troops in Peking. According to the Times correspondent, on Thursday evening the Third Division, which had been considered the most trustworthy in the Army, "broke loose from all restraint, and, declaring that they had had no pay, started looting and burning." There has apparently been very little loss of life, and foreigners have been unmolested, but the damage to property is described as "incalculable." A large number of incendiary fires were started, and there was a constant fusillade, though the shots were mostly fired into the air in order to terrify property owners. The latest telegram reports that after the pillage had proceeded far into the night the mutinous soldiers with- drew from the city with their booty. The Revolutionists are evidently about to undergo that ordeal by fire which always comes to those who, whether rightly or wrongly, have to over- throw an established order.