The number of Chinese robbers and other bad characters in Shanghai hae frequently been the subject of comment both in the European and Chinese press. This was par ticularly so towards the close of last year when, it will be remembered, murders, robberies and other crimes occurred with for more regularity than one cares to recall. The vigilance of the police authorities had the effect of suppress! the criminals for the time Leing, but the question of lawles: ness 1 the two Settlements has again become prominent on account of she criminals who are known to be "working" here.
We learn on reliable authority that over thousand such men are in Shanghai at present, having come from Tsingkiangpu. Kiangpei and other districts north of the Yangtze. These places are notorious as being overrun with robbers, whose existence depends upon the commitment of crimes. With the arrival of these men in Shanghai, a somewhat serious position has to be faced. They are Joubtless under the impression that just now the settlements provide comparatively safe places for their deeds, or at least that they are much safer than in their ows districts. It is true that the jority of them are from the lowest classes, but it is equally true that they are led by men who cannot riy any means be included in this category. The name of one very noted robber leader, Kou Hung-shan, is given, with the further inform. tion that the man is hiding in he French Concession.
The severity and the form of punishment which should be meted out to robbers arrested in Shanghai is an interesting point which has been raised. Upon arrest, aot a few of them put forward the plea that they are political offend ers, and by so doing obtain the dulgence of the Court to a much greater extent than they deserve.
The system of expulsion has been adversely criticized, in that large numbers of the offenders return after a year or two under other names and exert their disturbing influence afresh.
What the Chinese officials argue is that the men arrested should be immediately handed over to Admit. al Tseng, and if examples were made of a number of these unde sirable characters, the effect would be considerable upon others. 4c cording to Chinese opinions, may of the robbers who make Shanghai their hunting ground feel that they are, more or less, under foreign protection, especially if the plea te advanced that they are political offenders. Tt is scarcely necessary to state that no such—protecting spirit exists, but until more striogent measures are adopted, feeling among the particular of men we are dealing with is like ly to remain.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.