For 20 years or more we have known the river from Nanchang to the south of the province to be jeroughly safe from anything in the way of robbers, the police boats every 10 miles were always on the alert, and one was safe to anchor] anywhere. Not so now. The boats: aly go in companies of few together, and anchor together, ce as to be more protection in case of need. Just a few nights ago, a boat which had anchored' by itself, not being able te reach the usual anchorage, was visited during the night and the passengers thereon were eased of something like $300. Another boat we met: was, on the way to Nan-" chang on a previous trip, treated in the same way, and in the scuffle which followed one of the men got shot through the leg and is in hospital. When will those in charge of these things take it to heart and put matters right? I am sure it could.all be put an end to by one or two examples being made of these desperadoes.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.