Affairs in the district watered by the West River grow no better. Not only are checked, but the banditti are making their robberies anc piracies going on almost un-influence felt in the large cities. Thus a cocoon shop at Fatshan was robbed on the 19th inst. by a band of armed ruffians, numbering about 40, and booty and cash to the value of some $8,000 carried off. The silk filatures are unable to guarantee deliveries because the women living at any distance are afraid to go to their work lest they should be kidnap; on the way to and from their houses. Blackmail has even been asked for the pirates from shopkeepers
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.