(2) The Censor Mu Yin-chiao, brings a grave indictment against Sun Chin-piao, General in command of the troops stationed near Chefoo, whom he charges with utter Incompatency and the greatest laxity discipline. The troops under the General' control are'stationed at the village of Chi ch'u about ten li from Chefoo, and here he himself and his family have rented a house and settled down. A score or more of his officers, with their families, have followed their chief's example. One of them, named Li, even married a girl in the neighbourhood, and was overwhelmed with presents from the whole army. When theatricals take place in the village, every man in the camp, from the general down to the common soldier, flocks to see the entertainment. The general himself is, frequently to be seen gudding about Chefoo, where he will stay for a fortnight or so without returning to the camp. His soldiers form parties and ramble about as they please all day long, often staying away even at night. They are the proprietors of most the opium shops in the district. During last year a number of banks and shops were robbed in the neighbourhood, and several soldiers were arrested and tried for the crime. requisition was ex made by the Fu-shan Magistrate for the production of a number of others who were incriminated, but the general refused to give them up. The gravest charge remains to be told. In August last the troops were sent to Ch'éng-shan-thou in connection with the Pautah affair and there committed the worst excesses, plunder and rape included. The plunder they carried back to Chefoo, and there disposed of it in the most public manner. Nothing short of death would be adequate punishment for such reckless conduct and such utter disregard of all law and order. The General utterly ignores the doings of his soldiers, if he does not indeed purposelyscreen andencouragethem. 'A man so utterly worthless and depraved would be found quite unfit for the duties of hia post in the event of any emergency, and it is asked that the Governor of Shat tung should be directed to institute an investigation with a view to formulating a vigorous indictment against Sun Chin-piao. This may possibly have the effect of bringing back a sense of respect among the ranks of the army and of preventing the total collapse of military discipline.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.