There are x few places, hitherto comparatively unknown, that have, in consequence of the events of last year, suddenly ovcupioda prominent place in'tie public pres Of these T'siynanfu, the capital of Shansi. has become notorious to the world as the scene of the outrageous m: t-porary refuse of The likelihood of a mi pedition to the West Hill Province ant the "dvanee of the Germans to the famous Kakuan Pass awaken d interest in the unknown route through "the mountains. The road, or rather rack, follows " tortuous course over several ranges and actus several streams that are very troublesome in the rainy season, At Yushui the caravan was delayed owing toa strong freshet making the Wei stream impassable, The water ro-e so suddenly that some pack animals were ought and stranded mid stream, being uoable to either retreat or criss the rapidly rising flood. At es thee Ford was fordable again. stream has te be crossed five times before the rad enters the defiles of the mountains and winds along the uneven valleys. For sume) miles the track rises t" the sun slants dawe the side of a sories of ridges, continuing its winding along the intervening rocky and shingly valleys, The chief ridges re surmounted by huge stone-built gateways at the crests where the path crosses the summit. These are called the N., 8. E. and W. Heavenly Gates. The most in portant are the old and new Custom It was preparations the the defence of the duz and stre built across the road, Mines were sun field works thrown up, and stine so c'ed wons the crests of t i ones were pien ally sot up to appear ~eldiers on duty. These dummy. defenders proved the only invincibles, foe they stand still while all the other troops were uted by the Germans or fled at The Gates are aw steewu st their last engaagen tis il emily es plained, for the 71 now still he'd the Middle a by {military Tne only "Emperors treated all the affairs of state us Generals jofarmies and the nam of the Grand Council is really "Military Council" Chun-Chi-Chu. All this presupposed a determined resistance when the honour and existence of their dynasty were at stake. Further, the Kukuan Pass is a position so commanding and naturally strong that a couple of thousand well-Arilled troops could have held it against the world.
The routed troops looted as they Hed. Ail along the route bitter complaints were heard as to the rape, rapine, anti lawlessness of the soldiers. The exp sure of severd heads in cages of thirty-two ficers, and ths app" of an Gunperial Commissioner to investigate and report to the Throne on the outrages commited, show that drastic measures lid to be taken. G i and his troops are now at Ley about 1 miles from the main road. The German and French troops have not a clean record according to the voluntary testimony of these alo the line of march. The official " r ty be brid for ws out and Bat the real grievances are against the Chinese troops. "There have been some comical situations ducing the journey. The party passed through the French lines under a Chinese escort. The soldiers have been imes cavity, sometimes infants Their arms were of the most vane! des tion:—matehloeks and Mansars, jingals and bows, swords and sticks, and some had only fans wal wnbrellas. At certain points the escort swelled to the dimensions of a company, at another plice they totally decamped. Next morning a number of country coolies were locked out in red jackets and made todo duty as soldiers." From Chengtingfu, however, there was always a e-cart of mounted police. All ute to T'aiywin ab distances of 15 ty 20 miles there are posts of LO mount-police under a petty' o The men are smart and thoroughly suldivrlike with well-kept carbines The force has been ised by Shen taotai and their appointment has rendered travelling safe for traders now beginning to resume. their trade. Feom Huaila a mounted patrol feo the left wing of the Governor's Body swird has Jed the way with trumpets and banners, At She the patty were entertained by the offici 1 supposed to be in banishment and condemned by the Mi stars and Tmpzrial Elie, There has now" been a heavy fil of rain, for the crops but bad for travel.
Taiyurn, Goh July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.