Operations in Kiangsi: Outlaws Dispersed now Our OwN Cosnesronvenr Kanchow, Ki,, Jan, 25, Bandit suppression has been bo-gun and three provinces are said to be engaged in it. So far they have driven the outlaws from their main rendezvous in the hills near the border of Hunan, and northwest of Lungehuenhsien, "The effect of this drive up to the present has been to cover the whole district with Bands of smaller dimensions, whose depredations are widespread. One main body of these centred in Nananfu, having taken Tsengihsien a few days before. Just what damage they have done in these two places is not definitely known, but 8 few days ago they took one of the Catholic Fathers, in Nanan and sent their demand to Hankow for $20,- 000 a8 ransom, They are now said to have left that city having been tacked by the provincial forces two days ago, Where they have gone we do not as yet know, "This city was their objective, but such drastic preparations were made for their reception that the bridge ands changed their mind, and did attempt it. The rich people in Usinguhsien have thought it well to leave the district and many of them are at present in this city, Who local defenders (coupled by '4 few troops) in the city of Yuta wwe the bandits there a signal de~ feat, This put heart into those who were defending Hsingkuohsien, and they have gone back to make another try, What the poor country: people have suffered in the south of this province from there pests cane not be told Moreover the outlaws doings and he fact that s0 far they have gone Scot free with it, has raised up number of smaller bands who imitate them on a smaller scale, preying upon those they know in thole own neighbourhood, only taking the precaution to blacken their faces and tient themselves with clubs ete, They ud bind the chief man in a or ® village and put there demanals, which are generally met. 1€ the Government will really make fa clean sweep of the brigands at this time, the populace will grateful, while the merchants. will ice more have a chance of doing trade on civilized HMnes. Only few days ago tome boats loaded with the usual merchandise we tacked on the river some miles ow tis city' and everything taken. No one could be arrested as the outlaws were far away next day, just happened that some of the bands which were being chased cevoased the river at that time and place and helped themselves, what Uhey wanted without the feast, fear of being interfered with, This autumn has been the driest ever remembered in the district; practically no rain has fallen for Abut five months, The river 1% very low, and oats can only take fabuitt, Waif their usual loads, and have to evade og well as possible the outstanding rocks, also to pay the very heavy expenses of trackers and pilots—all these added to the costa DE merehansdise from. the consbss How we sigh for the long talked of motor toad, no sign of which is even on the horizon, save the report that Jo lottery is being arranged, from the profits of which there is prox mised a certain amount for the, new toad.
As for the promised abolition of likin one barrier on the East river has been done away with, but a new Jone was established a few li noaree Kanchow. So are promises kept.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.