Disagreeable Incident at Wenchow on the Taishun A member of the compradore's staff of the C.M.S. Taishun was severely manhandled by soldiers at Wenchow last week, follow-a search for opium. Shipping people inform us that the soldiers are carrying out unauthoriz~ ed searches of vessels and that they' are constantly assaulting people who attempt to reason with them, The Taishun had been examined by Customs officials on the day in question and no opium was found. Later, a party of soldiers under. a subordinate officer boariled the vessel and announced that they had come: to look for opium. One of the compradore's staff asked them for their} Papers but, instead of producing these, the soldiers caught hold of him and gave him a severe beating.
They searched the ship from bow to stern and found that one of the! passengers was smoking—opium. This man was taken and, incidentally, robbe longings including a couple of rings, after which the soldiers went to the compradore's room and said that he ity for the sengers. The compradore's accountant and. a godown keeper tried to. explain matters to them but the soldi fused to listen and said that, until the compradore paid: the fine, the two men would be kept in prison.' The unfortunate fellows were then taken away and, atthe time the: Taishun sailed, they were still being detained.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.