Village Near Ichang Enlists Aid of "Holy Soldiers" Ships nom Que Own Conarsronpen?
Tehang, July 23.
Ichang's native population were not a little stirred a few days ago from the' calm uneventful nature of the existence which has recently been their lot by the report thet Shen Ping (holy soldiers) and bandits were attacking a region just across the river from the city, land crowds were drawn to the fore shore lo gane in that direction. All they could see, however, was smoke from burning houses. All tral across the river was stopped by the military, and indeed one coukl_not even get a sampan to 0 off to one of the steamers ancchored in the port.
Later, news came that the cause of the outbreak was one which, unfortunately, in these days is get~ ing too common namely, that the country people had arisen to pro~ test against the increasing, txt tion, ete. exacted by a man called who is head of the militia in the district and therefore has some power to enforce his demands.
The outraged villagers combined, i is said, and invited the Shen Ping to raid the village of which Mu is the headman, with the result that, the militia being unable to wil he stand their attack, the village was burned to the ground, Later, when the affair was over, soldiers were despatched to deal with the bandits, Wut with what result, other than driving them further into the hills, thas not been heard.
Terror to Evil Doers General Liu, who is in charge of all the troops here issu terror to evil doers nnd the present peaceful condition of the city is in marked contrast to to former unruly days, fand is largely due to his firm control of the situation. Not long: ago. he sent 11 bandits to face " firings squad, and two days later another met the same fate. The result ix that districts which a fow months ago were overrun with bandits are now comparatively free, Shipping Companies Commended Groat credit is due to. the ship: ving firms which, in spite of extraordinary difficulties, keep their ships on the run from here to Chungking. Their profits are considerably reduced by the illegal taxation imposed by the Lords of Wanhsien, and to " less degree at Chungking. Pay, and go free, and try to keep running is apparently considered the best policy to follow.
Ships Fired On Firing on the ships continues, sind all British ships have an armed kuard from the gunboats on bourd, while the American ships run in convoy unlier the protection of one of the fine new American gunboats recently placed on the river.
The Hsiang Chi, a ship running under the German flag, was badly fired on on her upward trip last week and a Chinese quarter master was killed and two others of the crew were wounded.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.