Being captured by brigands has ceased to be a novelty in China but that fact lessens not at all the reality of such an occurrence to the captured. Dr. and Mrs. Taylor ave only two of many missionaries who have undergone the strain and discomfort of the '"fortunes of pioneering." They are now in Shanghai, having come here from Yunnanfu to attend the National Christian Conference and ave staying at the China Inland Mission headquarters, and when interviewed by a representative of the "North-China Daily News" gave a vivid but unaffected story of their experience. It also serves as a timely illustration of the continued lawless state of the country. Before telling the story, it is necessary to view the kaleidoscopic political background upon which it rests. It is romantic, mediaeval, and almost unbelievable, worthy of Attila and his hordes.
Yunnan's Tuchun, Tang Chi-yao, a political strategist of no mean ability, used a practical and wise method in 1920 of ridding his province of brigandage. He allowed them access to the city, put them on his pay-roll and had no difficulty in maintaining discipline since they had been soldiers before a previous disbandment. At that time he promised them safety as long as. they respected law and order. The following facts are well known, General Ku's treachery when on his northern campaign and Tang's subsequent ejection from Yunnan. It followed that Tang's promise to the reformed bandits was not kept by General Ku who ordered the exe-caution of General Yang, their leader.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.