The, most satisjuctory item of news from Tsaochuang received during the week was that Major Allen of the U. 8. Army and Mr. Smith of Manchester have been released. Mr. Solomon and Major Pinger have been brought down from the top of Paotzeku, while the, bandits report that Mr. Musso's health is much improved.
There has been evidence during the week that the captives are suffering greatly from strain, and it is mentioned that they have been insulted daily and spat at. Sunday, May 25, marked the end of their third week of captivity.
While, as a. result of delay in taking action, the demands of the bandits have been growing more extravagant, information received later in the week was to the effect that they were beginning to show surprise at how closely the troops had succeeded in encircling them.
Following a visit from the bandit camp by Mr. Powell, one of the captives negotiations have been resumed for the release of the prisoners as a quid pro quo for the enrolment of the bandits in the army.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.