For months the counts the Yangtze from At King has been quiet and no robber-been reported. This good gone now for in the last two weeks we have heard of five or six robberies towns burned.
'A band of about 30 or 40 bandits, with headquarters about 20 miles north of Han Shan, last week looted a large market town, Hsuentsong, 1¢ miles north of Han Shan, kill: ug two men and severely wounding three more. The next day they descended upon the town of Wugiang, jon the banks.of the Yangtze, 18 miles from Hochow. Here they killed four men and wounded another and robbed 13 stores, making good their escape.
Five days ago they came to Hochow outside of the city and rob-da widow and beat her severe-They then passed through the city and robbed a farm house on the west side, securing $500 and /got safely away. The people think the reason for this boldness is because we have just exchanged mayors and the robbers are making hay. while the sun shines. We lost a good oficial when mayor Kao was transferred, There is no doubt at all that these robbers are ex-soldiers, as they are well supplied with firearms and know how to shoot.
Robbers are not only th mayor's troubles. On May Day 40 soldiers came down from Wahu and suddenly appeared here in Hochow with a demand for $17,000, This squeeze is to help fill the coffers the officials at Anking. The order of the soldiers to the mayor to pay up or get out, if not "we will fight and drive you out." I think the amount will be paid.
We have had a very dry spring and the crops have suffered. The wells are dry and all water has to be carried from the river, a distance of from two to three Li Later: The come and the farmers are rejoicing and no doubt they will gather " two-thirds crop.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.