Donnithorne adds some interesting information: "According to. the talk of the gentry, the actual bead man of the Hung Teng Chiao bandits in this district is they all call Commander-in-chief Li: this man is credited with the intention of making himself 'Emperor'! He was formerly a mende: of firepans.in Changmin The new magistrate has acted resolutely]
st the brigands since he came here, and will not act on the customary principle of palaver' with them; which has infuriated them. Soldiers and militia from the three hsiens of Changmin and for the "The only place in this district which is not now troubled by] nocturnal raids is Hobachang, and the explanation is simple.' For some reason or other it has be-
Jeome a favourite residential resort for rich bandit chiefs. There are now five of them living there, and their presence is a much better guarantee against looting that. any number of soldiers would be. But the other day, during market, man was driving a drove of pigs out that he had just purchased. After he had left the West Gate he was set upon and his pigs stolen. The thief was recognized, and apprehended by the local militia, who were leading him out to execution, when a letter from one of the brigand chiefs arrived which said simply, This is one of my men and the militia had to let him got Opium Decreasing "Though the brigand situation is worse than it has been for a. long time, the opium situation is much better thai it has been for a good many years, There has been herdly Jany' planted round here where last [year the fields were all full of it We may doubtless here see the resuits. of the Conference at Mien~ Jchow as far as the.efforts against bandits. are concerned, which -nzain is: doubtless due to "Yang.- Seit's administration: The: remarks: about opium sre interesting. I have" seen opium: inthe Mienthow: dis!eit®'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.