The following summary of recent. the|events in Kienping, Anhui, which finally led to our withdrawal from the city may be of interest to your readers.
On February 28, 3,000 of the retreating Northern troops entered the city, and-for a week the people lived in fear of them. They left hurriedly on March 7 without having, done any harm. The following morning the city was thrown into a state of dread upon hearing that another army of 5,000 was just upon it and that all the way from Ningkuo they had been looting. All womenkind melted away to the country. The soldiers. came and contrary to usual procedure, billeted themselves in private houses, The city was looted the-exme night! and the following forenoon they, left, Then it became known that the Southern troops were already in possession of Kuangtehcheo and that at any moment they were due to arrive in our city.
Their forerunners arrived about! dusk the following day. That was. March 10. A notice was affixed to our door that soldiers were to be quartered in our premises, The Inevitable Loot A friendly representation made! on our behalf won for us a few hours' respite. Their attention was also drawn to Gen, Kinng's order to protect foreign property and not to occupy foreign. houses, but this order had not been heard of by them and some denied allegiance to him. The one who ventured. to speak on our behalf only escaped maltreatment by the interposition of fair-minded members of the party.
TE all yonded to make it clear that wwe would be wise to withdraw. we made our preparations, After midnight left our home and retired to a friendly shelter, Early the following morning the military were in possession, doors were inadequately guarded and the rabble followed. 'The result being similar to what has been enacted in other places that detail would be superfluous. Suffice it to say that with the exception of what was carried out when we left, all that! we' had fondly called our changed hands. Both house church, etc, were completely dismantled. Fri interpose could do nothing against, mob rule,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.