the Editor of the month-Ciuxa DatLy News."
Sim—May I be allowed to emphasize the suggestion made a short time ago through your! columns. It ivas made by a correspondent urging the authorities to instigate an organized search through Chinese houses in certain localities for firearms, ete, With! the large number of troops in the Settlement it would be a simple operation and would provide, valuable information and perhaps result in the seizure of opium and other illicit possessions. _The strictest secrecy is necessary prior to the search, on account of the ease by which firearms can be hidden, It is very obvious to the managers and overseers in industrial undertakings that discipline will be an impossibility in the neer future un-ess firm measures are taken to ensure safety to the Chinese foremen, and forewoman. Their lives hang by- the merest thread. At lerist four or five Chinese fore people have been murdered in the Yangtszepoo district lately, and most of those under the writer's personal notice are afraid of molestation. The increasing audacity of the gunmen in the Settlement gives one much anxiety and their success is bound to recruit the number, Certain districts have an unenviable reputation and would certainly repay the authorities for: their labours, No disparagement of the police! is intended in any shape or form, The writer has the greatest admiration for their services, but seeing that the military forces are here to protect life, that object can be attained, for the present at any rate, by taking away all weapons from unauthorized persons, and hence ensuring safety to all, either foreigners or Chinese.
Tam, ete, Mancustax.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.