Peking, July 25.
Writing at Harbin on July 14, the Chinese Official Observer says:
Kavalsky's concession at Yablona, which is some 39 versts from Imanpo, the Hunghutze of late have shown much activity, though their number is said not to exceed 200.
Unlike most concessions, the sawmills on this property are situated at a point 30 versts away from the main line, and on the branch-line which is more than 50 versts in length. At this point there is quite a settlement with its own electric light station, workshops, roundhouse, ete, some 55 Russians with their families and over 4,000 Chinese living there.
The management of this property has received several letters from the bandit chiefs, who first demanded the payment of $60,000. When this was not forthcoming they burnt 1,600 cubic sagina of wood at Balalaza and then wrote, saying that they now increased the sum to $100,000. As no attention was paid to this letter, on the night of July 30 they fired another 2,500 cubes of. wood and 13,500 poles at Hanuhotze, another branch line, and the very next day told the Chinese labourers working at 30 versts at the saw-mills. ete., that they must stop work at once, otherwise they would be attacked. The coolies, being much alarmed by these threats, have since the 12th instant refused to work. Some time ago the wives and families of the Russians living there were brought down to Yablona, where they are now living in box. ears, their husbands remaining at4
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.