This morning a' detachment of soldiers who were evidently being transferred to the northern Hunan front, looted the shops and homes fon the street outside of the north gate and kidnapped men and women, On Sunday evening June 15 se\ eral stores were looted, but the looting did not become general, the men confining their operations to a few houses. This morning, however, the soldiers on thorough work. Looting began before daylight, "By the aid of lamps and torches the houses were enter-fed and everything of value taken, Men were stripped of their clothing fand women of their jewellery. Rice bowls and cooking utensils" were also taken, The Baptist chapel which was in the charge of @ Chinese worker was looted five times. The preacher was stripped of everything save pair of short sleeping trousers. The slightest remonstrance was met by oaths and curses and savage Uhreats to kill, Finally kidnapping began. Merchants were tied up and Jed away; women were reluctantly made to follow, and will doubtless held for ransom For 71 days General Shen's army has been battering away at the city walls in a vain attempt to gain an entrance, All attempts to capture 8 far failed, and ing discouraged and would now pre-{fer the free life among the hills to the discipline and danger of military life.
At the present time there are comparatively few soldiers surrounding the city. Most of the besieging troops have been re-called and despatched along various roads to meet the relieving army that is reported to be coming from the north and west, The troops that now surround' the city are stationed on the sills near by and living in trenches that. across the plain. Thi ing from the city out into country have Leen spiked with bamboo spikes to prevent the city soldiers making a sudden rush out upon them. These spikes are driven in the ground so closely together that it would be almost im-Possible to especially in the darkness, for the city soldiers to make sortie without many of their number being maimed and disabled. The fighting has therefore, once more become a test of endurance, and if relieving forces are coming to the rescue their success or failure will doubtless decide the issue,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.