T have received news from the Rev.
'V. H.. Donnithérne concerning the bad times they have been having! with brigands-at Anhsien, 100 Li from here. It will be remembered that a few weeks age I mentioned that one of the items discussed. at [the Conference in Mienchow by the District Government was.how to deal with this problem. Mr. Donnithiorne "writes under date November 11 "Yesterday morning was the third grand attack' on the ity in a fortnight. It took place at daybreak and continued until Past broad daylight. We could see some 50 brigands, who formed only small portion '-of the attacking force, which was composed of four bands, numbering over 1000 and attacking on three sides of the city. The ones we saw were on the hill slopes nearest the house, just across the river. At first" these advanced down the hill to attack the mill itis, who retired, firing as they went. 'Later the brigands had to retreat and made good their escape to the top of the hill, This attack' had been timed for midnight, but! was delayed because one of the ce-operating bands delayed in order to loot Lohsinchang, 80 li aways therefore the operation was overtaken by daylight before it was completed, otherwise they might have entered the city. As it was, the daylight enabled the soldiers to some effective shooting, and some 20 of the robbers were skilled, and about a dozen captured, who have since been executed."
Many of the houses, in the north ind south suburbs have been burnt, and Loksinchang is completely burnt "to the ground,—while! Tsaohaikiai is deserted by its inhabitants. AN the shops are smashed in and the houses only cupied by the brigands, who still frequent the place.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.