Some weeks ago details were given in your columns of the unrest in many parts of this corner of the province, due to the depredations of local banditti, The "hsiens" of Tsangchow, Yensan, and Chingyiin were all affected, especially Chingyim, in which district the boldness of the "tufei"" was reaching pitch of effrontery almost incredible, had it not been for the thoroughly reliable source of the information. This condition of affairs had continued un. checked for several nionths, when towards the close of last month the authorities appear to have decided to take action with the result that four or five "ying" were despatched to Tsangchow, partly to reinforce the local. gar-risen, and partly to provide "suffi cient forces" to overawe the robber bands in the neighbouring "hsien." With this in view two "ying" were marched to Yensan, one of which proceeded to Ching-yun city, 60 li to the southeast.
Wars ror Scorpioys.
Having just returned from a trip in that region, I have been able to gather some rather illuminating though—_ depressing details of the manner in which these official protectors of the peace and guardians of the people's welfare are carrying out their duties. These troops, it. is said, belong to a division, known as the "Vu Chi Tui," detailed, as the nonic indicates, when occasion demands, for special service in regions where brigands abound. The Commander is reported to be a nephew of one of the highest officials in this province.
The Yensan contingent of braves had been "in camp" a week when I passed through the city town, and from all one could gather it had been just a week too long.
The whips of the bandits have been exchanged for the scorpions of the soldiery, sent to bring relief to the harassed country-side. It is a pitiful business. To the Westerner, who after the nightmare of the past five years has seen Europe delivered from the _desperate designs of an unbridled military despotism, it is discon-carting to find the peace-loving, law-to the same spirit, and the ghastly abiding Chinese becoming a prey doctrine. that might is right embodied in the virtual rulers of China to-day—the niilitary barons and their undisciplined hordes of uniformed plunderers. There is little to choose between a bandit in a recognized uniform or one roaming the country in home-spun with his fellow brigands. Both are a menace to the stability of the state, and a source of exasperation to the bewildered people.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.