Oct, 23.
The strain eased with daylight, three proclamations in succession from the military headquarters roast sured the shopkeepers and doors opened for trode. Coolies were impressed' to collect wounded and bury the dead, but were paid 50 cents per day by the local charities organization. The head of a coolie gang told me that the Northern officers went over the battlefield, and selected their own men for coffin burid, then the police went over to search the Southern dead, after which the coolies were allowed to bury them. He also said thet wounded Northern men were brought into hospital, but 'Southern men were shot as they lay'
the ground." This last item has not been confirmed. A responsible Chinese told me that he saw an ex-Northern soldier, who was caught in 'a Southern uniform, shot end then, Eurnt as an example to others.
'A number of civilians, men women and children were hit by stray' bullets during the battle on Octo-, ber 21, in the country and suburbs. These were brought into the hospital. A number of coolies, forced to carry ammunition to the front lines, were killed also. Midway on. the canal between Kashan end Ki shing, a China Merchants steam. Janunch, trem No, 474, was fired on. The pilot house was riddled with bullets and two passengers wounded before they stopped. The boat arrived at Custom House 48 hours late.
Sympathy for Hsia In converestion with gentry, merchants and others to-day, I' find that few express any disappoint. ment at the failure of Hsia Chto. He took desperate chances with such poorly trained soldiers and so few! expert commanding officers. It is likely that if he had not come out at this time, other leaders would have forced the issue in Chekiang. He is reported to be waiting at or near Shaohsing for Fukien end contingents to come in and fight, with a possibility of help from Shantung or Mukden. He may have some sympathy, hardly holds the confidence of his fellow provincials. Ase matter of fact, Lu Yung-hsiang and Sun Chuan-fang, both Northern _men have kept order in Chekiang. What Southern men can or will do is open to question. Historically, the North rules, the South disrupts, citizen Chinese have little choice.
The Soldier Borrows While I was in the telegraph office this morning, a soldier came in, with rifle, bayonet fixed, automatic in holster and two hand grenades hanging at his belt. He handled my, hat and umbrella, laid them do took up the operator's "Evershery "May I borrow this equipment and answered promptly, "You may." The soldier put it in pocket and walked out. specimen of China as she is to-d The railway is now open to Shang-Jai for military trains, mails may fo on October 24, passengers later most likely.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.