we turn to things political, the horizon darker than it has been since the Japanese war. Tt isa brooding season. Poverty and wretchedness easily make anarchistic converts. The Great Sword Society is gathering recruits through this country in hundreds and thousands, The officials appear not to know it, though itis a notorious fact. Their numbers are reported by themselves as between 200,000 and 400,000. One of the telling reasons for becoming disciples is to Rud many doubtless take the pledges and refect homes against robbery and violence
pay their 2,000 cash without any disti anti-foreign vows. They admit that they will be prepared for any battle againat robbers, or foreigners, German or others.
The trouble in Tanch'eng district in Southern Shantung is by no means settled according to report,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.