Theatrical Audience Rounded Up and Interrogated as to Their Possessions: Outlaws' Bad Time When Caught by Villagers Aduitional reports of bandit outrages continue to be received in the reports of missionaries of the China Inland Mission from Honan Province. One young Chinese evangel list attached to the Shang Tsai station of the C. I. M., by ame Tong Ma-ho was captured the last of April at the time of the big bandit attack on the village.
According to a report received here, the bandits made the attack question on the village when there were two big theatrical performances in progress. The bandits surrounded the crowds and rounded them up like a lot of sheep, though, of course, a great many got away. The mission premises were broken into and the people taken away. Among thee were a teacher ard several boys and the young evangelist who later succeeded in making his escape, The captives were taken to a neighbouring "chai" and were examined with the view of; finding out how much money each possessed. The teacher was beaten but upon being recognized by one of the bandit leaders as old school friend, was released. When Mr. Tong's turn came for a beating he managed -to craw] under the bed of the sleeping head bandit where he lay for 36 hours scarcely daring to breathe during that tim Later on he made his escape and returned to his station. About raven members in all had not been heard of, at the time the report was writ ten to the Shanghai C. I. M. on May 12.
Driven off by Soldiers The same report indicates that the bandits themselves fare no better than their captives should the tables be turned and their ows capture effected. But their methods towards their "prisoners generally comprise shooting on the spot, especially if the unfortunate eaptured is found to have no money on his person, or, should it be desired to save ammunition, a "tsq," a large knife fixed to a wooden frame and! st used for chopping straw, ly used as a more barbarous method of exterminating victims.
A somewhat later report from Shang Tsai, written on June 7, de> another bandit incident. It away, only to tyrannize another district.' Before they left the neighbourhood they did a great deal of damage. Many villages have been burned right to the last hut. They were not content to merely burn the homes but they also burnt their stacks of wheat that kad-only just been gathered in.
If only the people who demonstrated in Shanghai on May 30 would take up a matter like this, they might do some gocd. Now the people are taking a terrible revenge on any stray bandit that they catch, One man way skinned alive just outside our boundary wal Then left half shot."
Con in Yunnan From another section of China, namely a portion two days from the Yangtze in Yunnan province report of "satisfactory travelling from the district to Shanghai made by a C. I, M, missionary, Mr. Gladstone Porteus, who arrived here on Thursday evening and had nothing to contribute to the alarms which people concerned with inter for places in China feel on account of bandits, Although Yunnan has its share of brigands, according to Mr. Porteus the journey, a nine day: one by land and wat as against a three months one if taken entirely overland, is safe and comparatively comfortable, Accompanied by his wife who rede 'a sudan chair for the five days to the rail-head, at Yunnanfu, Mr.
made the journey on horse.
ok, From Yunnanfu, where th French railway leased from the intevincial authorities three days here "were required. (0 Haiphong. The portion of the journey by train is not taken at night owing to the dangers attendant in a mountainous country such as Yunnan, Travel Parties start out about. 620 nm. and leave the train about nightfall spend the sight in. the various Chinese or French hotels in. the stouping points for night, namely "Amichaw at the first stage, Lackay, next ind then Maipheng, the port of the vicinity. From. Haspe hong three days are required to get to Hongkong and another three days: to Shavghai-
We have just had ancther bandit scare. The same bandits who attacked our station returned to this district in greatly increased numbers. The soldiers west forth to deal with them but were driven back at first and lost 42 killed. Then more soldiers came along and row they have driven the bandit Conditions in Yunnan at the bree vert time, olely eentve mound the depreciated currency fo the pre= ce according to Mr. Porteu. Tre exchange when he left Jess than we week? age wat 318. Yunva Gellar to 100 Shanghai del condition ascribed to the ae' the military in the province.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.