Another request the bandits have made, through the Relief, Party's coolies, as well, I believe, as through Father Bucs, is that newspapers should be sent up to Paotzeku. Up to a day or two ago copies of the various papers were sent up, but since the news has been of rather a depressing nature, it was thought advisable not to send them. So that the captives should not be entirely without reading matter, the foreign news service was cut out and sent up, together with all the amusing articles that could be found.
That the bandits support the request for newspapers is taken as an indication that they have hitherto been closely following the trend of events outside, and consequently have been able to play their cards to the best advantage. It is intended to delete all reference to the Lincheng outrage before sending the papers up to the camp.
Letters received from Paotzeku yesterday make no mention of other captives being sent to the top of the mountain.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.